Pray | Prayer Page

Pray 

Inviting you to pray with us.  Introducing our Prayer Page.  In the practice of applied faith in the almighty God, the LORD provides mankind with many tools in a spiritual toolbox that we can learn to yield.  One of these tools is prayer.  It is not my intention to limit the scope of prayer to the size of a wrench in a small toolbox.  Remind you that the size of a mustard seed can move mountains (Mt 17:20) This article is a brief examination in the subject of prayer and an announcement of our church's daily & weekly practice.  

Prayer is of highest priority in view of the full armor of God described by Paul in Ephesians 6:10-20.  Prayer is the most important offensive weapon we have available to us today as Christians.  With the help of a search engine using the Blue Letter Bible the word "pray" is listed 94 times in the ESV.  Remind you God's people haven't always had the canonized Word of God literature available.  Today some of God's people don't have a Bible in hand, but they have prayer!  How do you pray?  How do others pray?  Jesus shares the truth in the sermon on the mount.  In the section about religious practices where he more or less teaches us how we ought to practice true religious devotions such as prayer, fasting and charitable giving.  In the section on prayer (Mt. 6:5-15, :25-34).  The Lord Jesus Christ provides us a prayer outline that can be very powerful and productive in the believer's prayer life.  It is rather easy to memorize, recite and meditate upon.

"Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. [10] Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread, [12] and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [14] For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ~Jesus Christ (Mt 6:9-15 ESV Cite 1)

If you're not convinced spend some time with Author Larry Lea.

"In the cold, black night of Christ's betrayal, His disciples could not tarry one hour with Him in prayer (Mt. 26:40) ...After Howard Conatser died in 1978 [Rev. Larry Lea] was called to be the pastor of his 3,000-member church...[Larry said, no to the man inviting him, but yes to the Highest Call, which caused him to return home to Kilgore]...In the great Azusa Street revival of the early 1900s, this altar invitation was given: "Everyone interested in pardon, sanctification, healing and the baptism in the Holy Spirit, rise and come."  The speaker was right on!  Jesus is our righteousness, sanctifier, peace, healer, provider, banner & shepherd, and He is the overflowing One present within us." ~Larry Lea (Cite 2)

We gather in person weekly as a church to pray.  At this time, we do this TOGETHER on Sunday's during our sabbath services and during our weekly study.  On Wednesday evenings we gather for an hour for some concentrated concerted effort in prayer.  In step with the theme of "ceaseless" prayer throughout the Bible, for remainder of our week, we pray without ceasing.  If anyone is curious, I'd love to explain via testimony how this is plausible (Eph. 1:16).

There are many examples of prayer throughout the Biblical library that illustrate the importance and progress that prayer provides to us as God's people.  Prayer drives forward the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven (Cite 3).

To further understand what I mean by driving "forward the Kingdom of God" may I encourage you to observe this book by Rick DuBose.

In the book In Jesus' Name author Rick Dubose describes 5 Altars of Prayer that move heaven and earth.  In my opinion God's people will benefit from learning about the Altars of Prayer shared by Rev. Rick Dubose.  I won't share them all with you here because I think it's important you hear this instruction from Pastor Rick yourself.  Can I share a teaser?  Personal Altar & Community Altar.  Listen to him above (Cite 3).

Personally, I have benefitted from Ps. Rick's experience and lead as assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God and a member of the executive leadership team.  In the practice of prayer in my own daily walk with the Living God I have much to share yet I leave you with this.  As practitioners we know that our prayers don't always equate to the results, we sometimes desire.  Yet we should ALL strive to practice, make permanent and perfect prayer, nonetheless.  The results of our prayers won't always seem to appear to manifest earth shaking, signs, wonders and miracles because this is part of God's mysterious character and sovereignty.  God is God and we are his creation.  God doesn't always grant privileges to observe his movements, the example of Job is excellent in this regard.  Job was faithful even in the suffering and was later rewarded for his obedience.

Perhaps the most important result of a devoted prayer life is that we are making God priority number one! Perhaps second to this is being known by God and we come to really know God as He is not as we would like God to be.  Knowing you ARE loved by the Creator & the Creator knowing that you really love Him (YHWH) more than anything else in creation.  

As His local church, lets unite in one mind (2Co 13:11) more often than not!  To prepare to join us at the community altar I've launched a Prayer Page on this church Blog to assist you and encourage you to join us.  Click this link here to go there now: Hyperlink to "Dove Creek AG Prayer Page." 

Alone with God we can move mountains.  Together let us move mountain ranges!

As a Shepherd, I pledge to you that I remain always ready to pray with you on campus and out & about.  As the Pastor I'm prayerful to see you at the community altar on campus and throughout the western slope community!  

May God's mercy & grace continue to prevail in the face of adversity here on earth as it is in heaven!

Earnestly,

Rev. Nicholas

We care about your victory!