Praying with Commitment

GracetoYou.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10).

Your prayers make a difference!

Matthew 6:10 literally says, "Whatever you wish to have happen, let it happen immediately. As your will is done in heaven, so let it be done on earth." That's a prayer of active commitment to God's will.

Many people don't pray like that because they don't understand God's character. They think their prayers don't matter and that God will impose His will on them no matter what they do. They tend to pray with passive resignation, indifference, or resentment.

I remember praying such a prayer. After my freshman year in college, I was in a serious auto accident. The driver lost control of the car at about seventy-five miles per hour and it rolled several times before coming to a stop. I was thrown clear of the vehicle and ended up sliding down the highway on my backside for about 100 yards. I lost a lot of skin and had some third-degree burns and other injuries, but fortunately I didn't break any bones.

I was conscious during the entire ordeal and vividly remember thinking, All right God. If you're going to fight this way, I give up! I can't handle this! I knew God was calling me into the ministry, but I was focusing my life in another direction.

I think God used that experience to get my attention, and my prayer of passive resignation soon turned to active commitment as He refined my heart and drew me to Himself.

Perhaps God has dealt severely with you, too. If so, it's only because He loves you and wants to produce the fruit of righteousness in you (Heb. 12:11). Don't despise His chastening, and don't be fatalistic or resentful in your prayers. Godly prayers make a difference (James 5:16), so commit yourself to praying expectantly, knowing that God is gracious and wise and always responds for His glory and your highest good (Rom. 8:28).

Suggestions for Prayer

If you tend to pray with indifference, passive resignation, or resentment, ask God's forgiveness. Study His character and cultivate deep communion with Him through disciplined, trusting prayer.

For Further Study

Read Luke 18:1-8.

Why did Jesus tell this parable? What principles do you see that apply to your life?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[HarleyD]

UNBELIEVING PRAYER

… when they … saw him [Peter], they were astonished. Acts 12:16

The story is told about a church in a small town which seemed to have everything going its way. There were no gambling casinos, no liquor stores, and no “beer joints” in the entire area. After several years, however, a night club was built right on Main Street. The congregation was very much disturbed and held several all-night prayer meetings in which some members specifically asked God to burn the tavern down. Well, a few days later, during a tremendous thunderstorm, lightning did strike the drinking establishment and fire completely demolished it. The owner, knowing how the church had prayed, sued them for dam-ages. His lawyer claimed that it was their prayers which caused the loss. The church, however, hired their own lawyer and fought the charges. After many hearings and much deliberation, the judge declared: “It is the opinion of this court that wherever the guilt may lie, the tavern owner is the one who really believes in prayer, while the church members do not!” Doesn’t this suggest how faithless we often are? Even those in the early church were guilty of such unbelieving prayer. Acts 12 tells us that Peter, having escaped from prison, went to the house of Mary the mother of John where many Christians were gathered together praying for his release. He knocked, and Rhoda went to the door; but, hearing his voice, she was so thrilled that, with-out opening it, she ran to the “prayer meeting crowd” and told them that Peter was outside. “Thou art mad!” they said. As she insisted that it was really Peter, they concluded, “It is his angel.” As the apostle continued knocking, they finally opened the door. Seeing him, they “were astonished.” How often we are like that: surprised at the way God answers prayer. (Our Daily Bread)

[metmom]

There’s nothing new under the sun, eh?

[Norski]

A Prayer For The Lost

Heavenly Father:

I come boldly before your throne of grace, in the name of Jesus Christ, to pray and intercede on behalf of ( New York Governor Bill De Blasio ). I plead the merits of the blood of Jesus over his sins, past, present, and future. I plead the merits of the blood of Jesus over his sitting down, getting up, coming in and going out, over every place and situation. I plead the blood of Jesus over his mind, will, and emotions. I bind the strongman over him and loose him from the will and plans of Satan and bind his feet to the narrow path of Jesus. I loose angels to chop, cut and sever every plan that Satan had for his life and I cancel it by the blood of Jesus and the power of His Name. I loose angels to destroy all soul ties stopping him from coming to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Satan, I address you from my position in the third heaven, seated on the right hand of the Father next to the Lord Jesus Christ, high above you and all of your demons. I take authority over you according to Luke 10:19 and I address you in the presence of the Holy Trinity. The Lord Jesus Christ rebukes you and all of your demons working in the life of ( Bill DeBlasio ).!!! I command your works to cease in his life and for you to loose him from your grip.

I lose warring angels to destroy the veils that Satan has put over his mind and heart., blinding him from coming to the saving knowledge and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I ask that warring angels would be loosed in heaven to start attacking and destroying the demonic strongholds in his life. I loose warring angels to execute the vengeance and judgement and punishment and wrath of God upon the demons in his life .I also loose perpetual burning destruction and judgement upon them as well as fire and brimstone and burning coals. I loose the plagues and judgements from the book of Revelation upon them as well as the plagues and judgements that fell upon Egypt.

I ask you, Father, to create a need for the Savior, Jesus Christ, in his heart. I loose upon him spirits of salvation, repentance and conviction. I loose the fear of the Lord upon him. I also loose the spirits of knowledge, wisdom, revelation and truth concerning the Lord Jesus Christ upon him. I loose the spirits of faith, hope and love upon him. I loose the spirits of adoption, acceptance in the beloved and the agape love of God into his life.

Father, I pray according to Your will that you do not desire anyone to perish and I believe that he will be saved. I claim ( Governor De Blasio ) for the kingdom of God and I thank you for his salvation.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen.