My MOSAIC Moms group is doing a study on prayer. It describes the locks and keys to prayer. It’s not that there’s some secret combination to crack in order for God to hear and answer our petitions. But there are obstacles we put in our path that separate us from him. One lock is sin; its key is repentance.
While in the fire, Azariah (otherwise known as Abednego) substantiates this by declaring they have been brought low because of their sins (v. 37). He knows the key is a contrite and humble heart (v. 39). So, he vows that the people will change and follow God unreservedly. His prayer is answered when he, Shadrach and Meshach come out of the furnace unscathed, inspiring King Nebuchadnezzar to recognize God as the one true God.
Amen!
*** James 5:15-16, “The prayer offered by those who have faith will make the sick person well. The Lord will heal them. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. So confess your sins to one another. Pray for one another so that you might be healed. The prayer of a godly person is powerful. Things happen because of it!” *** Proverbs 28:13-14, “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble!” ***...
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Thank you , Claire. The process of repentance is ongoing every day. Yes, it takes much soul searching to identify our sins and ask oOur Lord for forgiveness. Thanks be to God for His unconditional Love and mercy.
So true, Peggy. Thank you!
Can sin become so much apart of a person that they are not able to recognize it? Does this make it difficult to go to confession? Talking it out in confession is how to receive forgiveness. This is how to start with a clean slate. Each of us choices how we reflect and ask for forgiveness in confession. He is there to listen and forgive. Amen!
Well said, Gary.
Claire your words are always an inspiration thank you! Worry often gets in my way. I pray for a more open heart to see his path for me. Blessings to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. LFF, you are all amazing great people! May the Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all and guide this world to be a heavenly earth.
Thank you, Stormi. And thanks for sharing your beautiful prayer!
AMEN!
Amen! Thank you Claire and God bless you!
Thank you! Blessings to you, Holly.
Lord please forgive me for all my sins both in the past and into the future grant me peace I pray this in your name Amen Amen Amen
Amen!
Praise is the key that opens our hearts and minds to receive blessings upon blessings from our Lord. In the early days of the Charismatic Renewal we were introduced to the power of praise in our prayers. One way of offering prayers of Praise is to give glory and honor to Our Lord by the various names that are attributed to him in the Scriptures - “Praise You Lord Our Redeemer, Our Savior, Our Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Praise You Our deliverer, Praise You Lord Our healer, Our Prince of Peace, etc. “. There are lists that...
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So true, Anne! Praise is the key to yet another lock in prayer - ingratitude. When we praise God we can't help but be grateful for all his blessings, opening ourselves up to even more of his grace. Thanks for sharing your beautiful response.
Praise be and thanks to God for your words Claire. Yes repentance is key to discovering forgiveness. Repentance changes people from the old restate Ment stories to the New Testament. When Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, she was changed with the living water Jesus provided for her. After I ask for forgiveness and repent am I willing to change? With the strength of God’s unconditional love I do pray for the courage to change within.
Thank you, Scott, for reading and commenting. God's unconditional love is the perfect key to the lock of resistance to change.
Thank you Claire..I've only been repenting since Lent started.... pleading for the Lord to forgive my past and present sins... and like Bill L., still praising and thanking him daily for all he is doing for me
There's no better Lenten offering than repentance, Cheryl. Kudos to you for choosing to be repentant. May God shower you with mercy and abundant blessings.
I find I'm still having trouble with my Lenten sacrifice. Especially as we've reached almost the halfway point. I think I've finally found something I can latch onto. I pray, as we all do on this forum...a lot! I pray when I'm eating my cereal. I pray at night getting ready for bed. But I noticed I'm praying for something. Hail Mary...pray for us sinners. Our Father...give us this day. Instead of more prayers I need to do more Praising and Thanking! Thank You God for giving me a new day. Thank you, Lord, for the people I meet on...
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Your praise prayers, Bill, are beautiful! Thank you for sharing them. If it helps, I developed an acronym for prayer a long time ago - P.R.A.Y. P = Praise and thank God. R= Repent. A = Ask for what you need. Y = You - incorporate the prompts God is giving you to become more of the person he is calling you to be.
Thank you for your perspective and inspiration.
Greetings Bill, thank you for your sharing on prayer. Sounds like there is a balance in our prayer life between asking for forgiveness and giving thanks. Thank God for listening to your prayer and everyone one else’s and for the forgiveness of our sins both present and past.
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My BSF lesson for my students this week on Nehemiah 1-2 Live Differently regarding prayer! Prayer is simply talking to God. We saw that Nehemiah talked to God when he got bad news, when he was afraid, and when he needed God to provide for what God wanted Nehemiah to do. In his prayers, Nehemiah showed adoration to God, confessed sin to God, and asked God for help. You will write or draw a picture of your own prayers using the following example… *** Adoration: an expression of loving praise! Nehemiah 1:5, “Lord, You are the God of heaven. You...
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