Monday, May 21, 2012

PRAYER IMPRINT


A CHALLENGE TO PRAY

Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord 
by failing to pray for you. 1 Samuel 12:23 


I will pray for you!


How many times have you said these words? Do you actually follow through? Or has it become a statement used as a conversation piece to make someone feel better? How serious is this phrase to God?


by Carla McDougal
As you read the verse above who does Samuel say we sin against when we fail to pray for one another? The Lord! God calls us to pray for each other, lift one another up, and to cry out in pray for the needs of others. This was instilled in Samuel at an early age. Hannah, his mother, was unable to conceive a child. She cried out to God for a son and made a vow to Him...


If You will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life. 1 Samuel 1:11


God heard her cry. Answered her prayer. And, she followed through with her promise to God. Samuel's mother's example left a "Prayer Imprint" on his heart. Throughout the scriptures we find example after example of Samuel praying for others. I love the fact that when he says he will pray, he did it right then... read 1 Samuel 7:5.


Understanding the importance of following through with "I will pray for you" is the beginning. Now, do you believe your prayers make a difference? Do you mean what you pray or do you just say the words out of duty? Get ready to be blown away...


Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16


Pray for each other so that - you - may be healed? Praying for others heals me? How? This word, healed, in the Greek actually means, to make whole; to free from errors and sins. Wow! I never thought of that before. When I take the time to pour out my heart on behalf of others, I am affected. A prayer imprint is forever embedded in my heart. My relationship with Jesus deepens. Oh Lord, remind me to pray for others!


Challenge for the (rest of this) Week... When you tell someone that you will pray for them... Do It! Follow through with that commitment to pray. In fact, here is a Double Challenge... when you tell someone you will pray do it right then... in the grocery store, on the phone, at work, at church, during exercise class, in the yard. I find if I pray right then I am more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's nudge to pray later! Almost as if it becomes a Prayer Imprint reminding me to continue that prayer commitment. 


CARLA CAN BE REACHED FOR MORE INSIGHT AND POWERFUL TEACHING AT HER WEBSITE.
PLEASE CLICK HERE

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