CHRIST AND PRAYER "teaching on prayer" PRAYER CLOSET by Howard Watson

A general prayer from memory such as Jabez's prayer in I Chronicles 4:8f is a good example of a Biblical prayer from the Old Testament. Jabez (which sounds like the word for pain in the Hebrew) appears to be a descendent from Judah, the tribe of David. Jabez prayed (cried), as an honorable man: for God to grant the blessing of an enlarged territory and for God's hand to be with him in keeping him from harm and pain. The Bible indicates the granting of his request (v.10). God's promise was to bless the people of Israel in the land if they faithfully followed Him. God kept His promise to Jabez for he was an honorable man, see Deuteronomy 5:32f "...be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you...so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess."NIV

This prayer is about earthly days of enlarged possessions or prosperity and good health. Although, this is in line with material promises to the nation of Israel, is there not more NOW IN CHRIST? YES, there is more than earthly promises and passing blessings for us today because of Christ's victory at Calvary.

Our prayer today is modeled after Christ's model prayer found first in Matthew 6:9f. It calls for God's will to be done in holiness on the earth. Israel had repeatedly failed to keep God's holy laws with heart righteousness and mercy/love because of the sinfulness of their hearts. Jeremiah 17:9..."the heart is deceitful above all things..."KJV.

The whole earth like heaven is the arena of God's concerns and existence. This is the largest of territories. It knows no boundaries. God in Christ has come down to us with concern for our physical needs but more importantly our spiritual needs of heart and soul, of forgiveness and cleansing of our sins. God wills to personally lead us in His own righteousness through the Holy Spirit in our hearts, all because of Calvary and the cross of Christ's redemptive atoning death. We can now, not just say or repeat the model prayer of Matthew 6:9f, but moment by moment let it rule our lives in truth and living faith. Thank you Lord, in Thy name I pray. Amen and Amen

PRAYER CLOSET
Let us, each one, enter into a continuing prayer fellowship in our hearts for God's will to be done in our own life, moment by moment as we live in Him.

The Lord Jesus said prayer is not a show for display but for God's ear. Mt.6:6: "And when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret;...." Prayer is to be in the name of Christ Jesus who has bought us by His blood, John 15:16, "...that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." We should remember a prayer of thanksgiving is always honoring/glorifying our heavenly Father. Many prayers in our Bible begin with thanksgiving for blessings and opportunities to be a blessing/service to other Christians and other people. Petitions/intercessions/supplications can be joined with thanksgiving even though the prayer will be answered in the future. Christians must pray for each other. James 5:16: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed...." Pray for Christian ministries. Pray for our/your local churches. Pray for those who are sick and infirmed. Pray for the unsaved. Pray for the leaders of ministries which minister to the Christian community. Pray for individual needs: jobs/work, reconciliation of family members and church members, encouragement for the discouraged, patience for those in trial. Pray for our governmental leaders and those who serve our country. PRAYER May our Heavenly Father bless the ongoing ministries of our Lord Jesus Christ around the world and break down the walls of darkness covering many countries where Satan controls the opposition to the Word of God and Christ Jesus. Bless the pastors of Churches in Christ around the world. Bless evangelists and missionaries who travel over land and country to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Open new doors for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to reach more people everywhere in the world. We ask for individual needs of your people for healing, forgiveness, strength, wisdom, patience in waiting and openness to all the needs of the poor in spirit and hunger of body. We pray for wisdom in the selection of right/just lawmakers and our civil leaders in all positions of government and service of our nation, state and county. Watch over those in our military and protective services. Thank you for your grace in continuing to save me and all others who have come to you, our Father, through the blood of our crucified Lord and Savior. In Christ Jesus' name, I pray. Amen .