I was just checking prayer requests when one's suggestions in how to pray reminded of something I would like to share with you. Please scroll down to the end for verses used in this.
Have you even used the heel of a shoe for a hammer or a kitchen knife for a screwdriver? I have, more times than I can remember. There were times when the objected needed to be turned hard and knife end twisted. I had ruined that knife. Why? I was using something for which it was never designed or intended to be used. We often do this same thing with prayer. Prayer is a tool GOD has given us for HIS work. It is the 7th piece of armor for spiritual warfare. (1)
GOD has designed us for HIS work. HE has designed each of us in a specific way(2) for HE has a specific plan for each of us.(3) A purpose for each of our lives. And the Bible says something crazy. GOD even has plans for every problem we encounter (4) every situation, and even every place that we are at.(5)
Yes, we are GOD workmanship. (2) That word workmanship in the Greek is "poema". When someone writes a poem he has something he wants to say through that poem and it is the same with us. We are unique creations, our DNA knit together by GOD in our mother's womb (6). HE chose the colors, the design and the size of the needles for specific reason. But HE didn't stop there but uses each our struggles to equip us for things HE has for us to do (4,7) and to mature us. (8)
Think about that for just a moment. If that is true, when we go storming into the throne room to intercede for others or cry out for ourselves (which by the way GOD invites us to do(9) ), do we go to assist HIM in the fulfillment of HIS plans (10) or to fight against GOD plans (11)?
Peter loved JESUS and yet he unknowingly fought against GOD's plans when he prayed that JESUS not die. If JESUS had not died we would still be in our sins and forever separated from GOD. GOD's plan was that JESUS would die for our sins.
I imagine if Joseph's mom knew her son was sold to a caravan or was put in jail she would have stormed the throne room crying out for the release of her son. But if Joseph had been released even a day earlier, he would have missed the call on his life. He would have missed being 2nd highest in the land but more importantly millions would have starved to death for he would not have been there to advise the king. It was GOD plan to train Joseph through his problems and then use Joseph to reveal HIMSELF to Pharaoh and save many alive.
Once years ago I got another prayer request for SA. There had been one hard thing after another for this woman and so I went for a walk to talk to GOD undisturbed. "FATHER, hasn't she had enough?" I asked.
I will never, ever forget HIS response. "Sharon, would you steal from her that which I want to achieve for her?" and then a text came to mind. It tells how GOD achieves for us eternal things through our temporary problems. It says that the pain of today is light and easy compared to what HE is achieving for us through that pain.(12)
Does that mean we are not suppose to pray? Of course not! We are commanded to pray in the SPIRIT at all times for all people.(1) The key is that we are to pray in the SPIRIT.
The HOLY SPIRIT prays according to GOD's plans cause HE knows them (13) we do not know how to pray as we should (14) but the HOLY SPIRIT will guide us in how to pray if we acknowledge our need and ask HIM.(15) That is how you can pray in the SPIRIT. (yes, I know about tongues but that is another topic for another time)
What will it be? Are you going to fight against GOD's plans or assist HIM?
hugs
Sharon
(1) Ephesians 6:18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Have you even used the heel of a shoe for a hammer or a kitchen knife for a screwdriver? I have, more times than I can remember. There were times when the objected needed to be turned hard and knife end twisted. I had ruined that knife. Why? I was using something for which it was never designed or intended to be used. We often do this same thing with prayer. Prayer is a tool GOD has given us for HIS work. It is the 7th piece of armor for spiritual warfare. (1)
GOD has designed us for HIS work. HE has designed each of us in a specific way(2) for HE has a specific plan for each of us.(3) A purpose for each of our lives. And the Bible says something crazy. GOD even has plans for every problem we encounter (4) every situation, and even every place that we are at.(5)
Yes, we are GOD workmanship. (2) That word workmanship in the Greek is "poema". When someone writes a poem he has something he wants to say through that poem and it is the same with us. We are unique creations, our DNA knit together by GOD in our mother's womb (6). HE chose the colors, the design and the size of the needles for specific reason. But HE didn't stop there but uses each our struggles to equip us for things HE has for us to do (4,7) and to mature us. (8)
Think about that for just a moment. If that is true, when we go storming into the throne room to intercede for others or cry out for ourselves (which by the way GOD invites us to do(9) ), do we go to assist HIM in the fulfillment of HIS plans (10) or to fight against GOD plans (11)?
Peter loved JESUS and yet he unknowingly fought against GOD's plans when he prayed that JESUS not die. If JESUS had not died we would still be in our sins and forever separated from GOD. GOD's plan was that JESUS would die for our sins.
I imagine if Joseph's mom knew her son was sold to a caravan or was put in jail she would have stormed the throne room crying out for the release of her son. But if Joseph had been released even a day earlier, he would have missed the call on his life. He would have missed being 2nd highest in the land but more importantly millions would have starved to death for he would not have been there to advise the king. It was GOD plan to train Joseph through his problems and then use Joseph to reveal HIMSELF to Pharaoh and save many alive.
Once years ago I got another prayer request for SA. There had been one hard thing after another for this woman and so I went for a walk to talk to GOD undisturbed. "FATHER, hasn't she had enough?" I asked.
I will never, ever forget HIS response. "Sharon, would you steal from her that which I want to achieve for her?" and then a text came to mind. It tells how GOD achieves for us eternal things through our temporary problems. It says that the pain of today is light and easy compared to what HE is achieving for us through that pain.(12)
Does that mean we are not suppose to pray? Of course not! We are commanded to pray in the SPIRIT at all times for all people.(1) The key is that we are to pray in the SPIRIT.
The HOLY SPIRIT prays according to GOD's plans cause HE knows them (13) we do not know how to pray as we should (14) but the HOLY SPIRIT will guide us in how to pray if we acknowledge our need and ask HIM.(15) That is how you can pray in the SPIRIT. (yes, I know about tongues but that is another topic for another time)
What will it be? Are you going to fight against GOD's plans or assist HIM?
hugs
Sharon
(1) Ephesians 6:18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
(2)Ephesians 2:10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(3)Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Ephesians 1:11...according to the plan of HIM who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of HIS will
Ephesians 1:11...according to the plan of HIM who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of HIS will
(4)2 Corinthians 1:3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
(5)Acts 17:26From one man HE made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and HE determined the times set for each of them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek HIM and perhaps reach out for him and find HIM, though he is not far from each one of us.
(6)Psalms 139:13 For YOU created my inmost being; YOU knit me together in my mother's womb.
(7)Romans 8:28And we know that in all things God is actively conspiring to work all things together for the end result of good of those who love HIM, to them who have been called according to HIS purpose.
(8)Romans 8:29For those God foreknew HE also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of HIS Son JESUS, that HE (JESUS) might be the firstborn among many brothers.
(9)Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
(10)Romans 15:30I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
(11)Matthew 16:21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
(12)2 Corinthians 4:17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
(13)Romans 8:27And HE who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
(14)Romans 8:26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for...
(15)Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: 6 in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;...
John 14:26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:13But when HE, the Spirit of truth, comes, HE will guide you into all truth. HE will not speak on HIS own; HE will speak only what HE hears, and HE will tell you what is yet to come.
John 14:26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:13But when HE, the Spirit of truth, comes, HE will guide you into all truth. HE will not speak on HIS own; HE will speak only what HE hears, and HE will tell you what is yet to come.
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