(Asking, Communicating, Meditating)
What is prayer - part1?
BIBLE READING: Genesis 18:16-33
KEY BIBLE VERSE: So the other two went on toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham a while. Then Abraham approached him and said, "Will
you kill good and bad alike? Suppose you find fifty godly people there
within the city-will you destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes?" (Genesis 18:22-24, TLB)
Prayer is an opportunity to bring our will into line with God's plan.
Did Abraham change God's mind? Of course not. The more likely answer is
that  God changed Abraham's mind. Abraham knew that God is just and that
he punishes sin, but he may have wondered about God's mercy. Abraham
seemed to be probing God's mind to see how merciful he really was. He
left his conversation with God convinced that God was both kind and
fair. Our prayers won't change God's mind, but they may change ours
just as Abraham's prayer changed his. Prayer helps us better understand
the mind of God.
Prayer is an opportunity to demonstrate our trust in God.
Why did God let Abraham question his justice and intercede for a wicked
city? Abraham knew that God must punish sin, but he also knew from
experience that God is merciful to sinners. God knew there were not ten
righteous people in the city, but he was merciful enough to allow
Abraham to intercede. He was also merciful enough to help Lot,
Abraham's nephew, get out of Sodom before it was destroyed. God does
not take pleasure in destroying the wicked, but he must punish sin. He
is both just and merciful. We should be thankful that God's mercy
extends to us.
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BIBLE READING: Psalm 4:1-8
KEY BIBLE VERSE: "Mark this well: The Lord has set apart the redeemed for himself. Therefore he will listen to me and answer when I call to him." (Psalm 4:3, TLB)
Prayer is speaking with God.
The godly are those who are faithful and devoted to God. David knew
that God would hear him when he called and would answer him. We too can
be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call
on him. Sometimes we think that God will not hear us because we have
fallen short of his high standards for holy living. But if we have
trusted Christ for salvation, God has forgiven us, and he will listen
to us. When you feel as though your prayers are bouncing off the
ceiling, remember that as a believer, you have been set apart by
God-and he loves you. He hears and answers, although his answers may
not be what you expect. Look at your problems in the light of God's
power instead of looking at God in the shadow of your problems.
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