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How Should I Pray ? – Ephesians 3:17a

“How Should I Pray?”

Ephesians 3:17a
… so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Verse 16 powerfully concludes in this first part of verse 17 with a truth about one of the many ways that the Holy Spirit has been given to empower our lives – “ … so that Christ may dwell in [OUR] hearts…”!

The Holy Spirit translates “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14) into, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling IN ME!”

Do you realize the power of this truth? But that is often the problem… making true the promises of God so that it affects how we live. That is why we need the Holy Spirit of God to give us the power to live upon this promise “through faith”.

When this truth changes from “principle” to “power, it transforms the very way we live that I believe is encapsulated in Mother Teresa’s Daily Prayer:
“Dear Jesus,

Help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy Spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as You shine, so to shine as to be a light to others.”

God blesses us down to our very core! … And then invites us to pray this blessing upon others just as the Apostle Paul – and Mother Teresa – prayed it!!!

We should pray with the confidence that we have the strength and power of God “to manifest the Presence of Christ” from within “our hearts through faith”.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Pastor Denny

Why Pray? Part 2

Because God Works for Our Good!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

This could be a very comforting thought, as well as, a strong encouragement for prayer IF our experiences of life consistently confirmed the truth of this statement.  But the reality is we often struggle with praying, because not everything we pray for seems to be answered in the way we would like God to answer our requests.

So, when we are caught between the truth of Scripture and the “perception of truth” from our experiences, we wrestle with the uncertainty of whether it is worth it to pray or not.

That is why were constantly reminded to “remember” – to “remember what God had done for them in the past” as a foundation for the scary and difficult circumstances they were encountering in the present.  That’s why they were also constantly exhorted to place their trust in God’s character rather than in their circumstances.

God is good!  And God will ALWAYS be “for our good” if we will also trust God with our love no matter what circumstance may assault us.

Where have you placed your confidence to pray?  In your circumstances, or in God’s Character of holiness, goodness and sacrificial love?

Why Pray? … Why Not?!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Pastor Denny