Bonnie’s Prayer Affair Prayers

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

BE DEPENDENT

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.56.40 AM“…the issue was whether Adam would let God determine what was good and bad, or would seek to decide that for himself, in disregard of what God had said” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p13, “The Fall”).

“The demanding of my own will is the singular force that smothers out joy—nothing else” Ann Voskamp (ref#130, p177). “Am I a pauper toward God? Do I know I cannot prevail in prayer;…I cannot alter my disposition; I cannot lift myself nearer to God” Oswald Chambers (ref#118, p16,17)?

FATHER, help me keep my arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of CHRIST. This is the unending life (Jude 21). Move me to relish all circumstances that drive me to depend on CHRIST. LORD, You can’t keep me if I don’t keep dependent on You. I desire to seek You LORD, and Your strength, to yearn for and seek Your face and to be in Your presence continually (1 Chron 16:11). Determine for me what is good and bad.

ADORATION

Posted by

0

THE FATHER: THE SON

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.47.52 AM…FATHER, I am “…vulnerable, fragile and exposed” (Ezek 16:7, MSG). For no reason I can come up with, You pass by and see that I am unable to help myself and You have compassion on me. It’s as if I am the only one in the world and You, being all love, turn aside and made a marriage covenant with me. You care for and protect me; You take me for Yourself (Ezek 16:8).

You take me as Your bride and live as if everyday is Your wedding day. You dispose Yourself to rear me for my advantage. You delight in me, gaining much joy and pleasure. Amid Your exultation You rest and are complacent (Zeph 3:17), having no interest in seeking a greater joy.

CHRIST, You delight to make me a friend ( John 15:14,15)—telling me secrets that the FATHER had not revealed until You came as the Son of Man (ref#35, p231). You open Yourself to me so I can find out everything about You (ref#35, p232). I am able to see You as “altogether lovely.”

And, You allow me to make my heart known to You. However, in order that I might be intimate with You, You must assist me. You supply the SPIRIT (Rom 8:26,27). When I am inclined to hide myself You call for the SPIRIT to bring me back into communication with You (ref#35, p233). You provide the SPIRIT to keep me continuing in our relationship. So it is that You delight in my prosperity, which makes me delight in our give-and-take fellowship (ref#35, p245).

FATHER, so CHRIST has taken me into His care and rejoices in me (ref#35, p230). As You, Yourself love me, so also CHRIST (John 16:27).

 

SUPPLICATION

Posted by

0

SICKNESS – LIFE THREATENING

[The majority of our prayers concern physical health. We all know someone who is dealing with a life-ending disease. Here is an opportunity to pray for them. Fill their name in the blanks.]

SUFFERING IS NOT IN VAIN

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.08.51 AM…FATHER, not only does ____ need You during (his/her) suffering, but (he/she) needs hope in it. (He/She) needs to know all this is not in vain. There are many reasons (he/she) knows of for suffering and many (he/she) does not understand why, but the overall purpose of suffering is to overcome it.

To “overcome” describes a conqueror who gains victory (ref#16, [Rev 2:7]). I pray ____ be an overcomer—overcoming (his/her) trials of life (ref#16, [Rev 2:7]). For the one who overcomes, You, FATHER, will be (his/her) GOD and (he/she) will be Your (son/daughter) (Rev 21:7).

I pray ____ be an overcomer, for all things then will belong to (him/her). Things present and things to come will all be (his/hers) (1 Cor 3:21-22). Empower (him/her) to believe that You are (his/her) strength, (his/her) rock, (his/her) fortress, (his/her) deliverer, (his/her) shield, (his/her) horn of salvation, (his/her) stronghold (Ps 18:1-2).

What flies in (his/her) face now as injustices will lead to greater justice. CHRIST’s resurrection sees future restoration after death. Heaven is not just a consolation for the losses and pain of this life.

FATHER, give ____ the understanding that heaven is a restoration of the life (he/she) has always wanted (ref#132, p32). The world will be “re-created” (see Matt 19:28 MSG)—new, coming down from heaven (Rev 21:1-2). The “material world…will be purged of all decay and brokenness. All will be healed and all might-have-beens will be” (ref#132, p33).

“…every horrible thing that ever happened will not only be undone and repaired but will in some way make the eventual glory and joy even greater” C.S. Lewis (ref#132. p32). “Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even…agony into a glory” C.S. Lewis (ref#132, p34).

Awaken ____ to think about (his/her) loss and how greatly (he/she) will be able to rejoice when it is returned to (him/her) whole and beautiful. ____’s suffering is not in vain.

 

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS

Screen Shot 2016-03-18 at 3.31.33 PM“The darkness that covered Him there on Golgotha wasn’t an atmospheric phenomenon as much as it was a spiritual reality. In one sense the darkness must have radiated from Jesus, not around Him. For…darkness is the visible manifestation of sin,…” Michael Card (ref#137, p181).

CHRIST became a curse for it is written, “…’Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’…“ (Gal 3:13 ESV). “The Cross of Jesus is the revelation of God’s judgment on sin. Never tolerate the idea of martyrdom about the Cross of Jesus Christ” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, April 6th). “The Cross did not happen to Jesus: He came on purpose for it” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, April 6th). “…he was cut off out of the land of the living…” (Isa 53:8 ESV), being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of You, FATHER. He was taken by lawless hands, crucified, and put to death (Acts 2:23).

“HEAVENLY FATHER, Thou hast led me singing to the cross where I fling down all my burdens and see them vanish, where my mountains of guilt are leveled to a plain,…” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p173).

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

MY FLESH DIED WITH CHRIST

Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 10.28.32 AM…FATHER, because I have died—that is my flesh has died—that is my selfish disposition, let me set my mind on things above (Col 3:2-3). Since I am dead to sin and the world (ref#16, [Col 3:5]), my life now is hidden with CHRIST in You, FATHER (Col 3:3). I am with CHRIST in the glories of His kingdom (ref#16, [Col 3:5]), therefore, remind me that my job is to keep everything that remains of my earthy life subdued (ref#16, [Col 3:5]), i.e. my selfish nature.

I must make a habit of becoming sensitive to flesh’s continual attempt at resurrection. I must be aware of my selfishness, and be ready to lock arms with CHRIST and confront the temptation, which is to do what I want to.

Remind me, LORD, to assess how powerful and desperate my old disposition is to rule me. Flesh desires to live forever just as satan does and satan is behind it’s power. Flesh is a formidable foe that I cannot come close to defeating with my own strength. In fact, my own strength doesn’t even want to defeat flesh.

A short time away from You and Your Word will make me think I alone, in the strength of my flesh, can handle temptation as well as represent You adequately. But, the power outflowing from CHRIST’s resurrection is more than enough to subdue any fleshly work, yet, let my mind drift away from You, and flesh is instantly able to go on a rampage, for it never takes no for an answer (ref#33, p101). Letting the SPIRIT lead out is of the utmost, for it is by the HOLY SPIRIT I am able to keep the deeds of my flesh dead (Rom 8:13).

With my desire to keep my flesh dead and the SPIRIT’s power to accomplish that, is how I can live a victorious life. O FATHER, remind me to be constantly vigilant. Flesh always serves the law of sin; it will never change (ref#33, p102).

SPIRIT, apply the finished work on the cross to me continually, for my flesh is dead only if I keep it subdued. My selfish nature is always ready to break forth to rule at any moment. I plead to be led by You, SPIRIT.

ADORATION

Posted by

0

CHRIST’S INTERCESSION

Screen Shot 2016-03-19 at 3.38.15 PM“Immanuel, God with us…—in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph…” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Dec 25th AM).

FATHER, how thankful I am that CHRIST is not come to You as He left, but now comes to You not only as the “Son of GOD” but also as the “Son of Man.” Because He ascended as the “Son of Man,” I can follow Him straight into Your holy of holies.

“As the Son of Man Jesus Christ deliberately limited omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience in Himself. But since His ascension these qualities are His in absolute full power” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, May 17th). He has all power at Your throne. He is now King of kings and Lord of lords (ref#7, May 17th). And as King He does not just rest on His throne:

“…the essence of Christ’s intercession is intervention in our interests rather than supplication on our behalf…” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”).  “He sits at the Father’s right hand—not to rest, but to rule. The picture is not of inactivity but of authority” The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1572, “Jesus’ Heavenly Reign”).

From His throne He sends the HOLY SPIRIT and equips me for service. I now have at my disposal all the benefits that His suffering won for me (ref#56, p 1505, “The Ascension of Jesus”).

“Jesus provides his righteousness for our sin, his strength for our weakness, and his relationship with the Father to replace our alienation (2 Cor 5:21)” Bryan Chapell (ref#66, p87).

SUPPLICATION

Posted by

0

PRAYING FOR FELLOW CHRISTIANS

[Our brothers and sisters in CHRIST need our prayers.  We can even pray for ourselves in our spiritual battles.  Fill in the blanks with your desired name.]

DISCIPLESHIP

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 3.06.31 PM“Luther had said that grace alone can save; his followers took up his doctrine and repeated it word for word. But they left out its invariable corollary, the obligation of discipleship” Dietrich Bonhoeffer (ref#10, p49,50).

FATHER, I bid You teach ____ to not be content to just be a witness and preacher and teacher of JESUS CHRIST. You did not give the Apostle Paul simply a message to proclaim, but, instead, brought him into a personal subduing relationship to JESUS (ref#7, January 24th). “Paul was devoted to a Person not to a cause” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, January 24th).   Please constrain ____ also, to CHRIST.

O FATHER, open ____’s eyes to look for Your control over (him/her) (2 Cor 5:14). Like the Apostle Paul, You overrule (him/her), capturing (him/her) by the love of CHRIST (ref#7, February 4th). Hasten ____ to be still and know that You are GOD (Ps 46:10).

You desire ____’s whole life to be overmastered—changed so much that (he/she) has no end, no aim, and no purpose but Yours (ref#7, January 24th). You have not regenerated (him/her) to merely represent CHRIST.

Disciples are not witnesses of CHRIST—not witnesses of what JESUS can do, but disciples are witness unto Him. FATHER, give ____ a small sense of who CHRIST is. Grant ____ a face-to-face meeting with CHRIST that makes (him/her) forget about witnessing all together. ____’s interaction with JESUS will naturally make (him/her) a model disciple. (He/She) will then make disciples by example.

____ is representing CHRIST bodily now on earth. Teach (him/her) to take everything that happens to (him/her) as happening to CHRIST, “whether it be praise or blame, persecution, or commendation” Oswald Chamber (ref#7, February 4th).

O LORD, control ____ that (he/she) might be a living disciple. The reputation of JESUS CHRIST is at stake in (his/her) life (ref#7, Sept 19th).

“That we gain heaven, that we are delivered from sin, that we are made useful to God—these things never enter as considerations into real abandonment, which is a personal sovereign preference for Jesus Christ Himself” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, March 12th).

THANKSGIVING

Posted by

0

IMPORTANCE OF CORPORATE PRAYER

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 2.58.00 PM…FATHER, how profusely I thank You for the institution of corporate prayer (Matt 18:20). Praying with one another not only heightens my concentration, making me learn to be more articulate, but it causes me to be more disciplined, that I might linger longer in Your presence. I can think better and be still longer when I am with others.

But, the most joyous advantage of corporate prayer is to be ushered into the spiritual world by hearing others testify, FATHER, of Your interaction with them. Their witness strengthens my faith and gives me courage.

If I didn’t submit myself to the time of corporate prayer, I would have very little experience with what really goes on in Your spiritual world. My experience plus hearing the experience of others pushes me out of the physical world. The more I think about the spiritual world, the more real it becomes.

I also thank You for corporate prayer for the obvious reason—gathering a long list of prayer requests. This gives me the opportunity to add to my list the names of people others pray for.

Corporate prayer unites me with my brothers and sisters in CHRIST. And Your presence becomes more sure and real as I participate on a regular basis. This kind of prayer does not trumpet its worth until it is experienced. Thank You, FATHER, for the grace of corporate prayer.

CONFESSION

Posted by

0

NEW BIRTH

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 2.48.03 PM…FATHER, increase my understanding of regeneration—Your ability to alter my natural-born heredity. My “natural virtues are the remnants of a design that has been broken, and that the only way the design can be fulfilled is by…being made all over again” Oswald Chambers (ref#83, p90). However, “…when the new disposition is put in the old physical case is not taken away. It is left there for me to discipline and turn into an obedient servant to the new disposition” Oswald Chambers (ref#118, p35).

 “Jesus says—If you are My disciple you must be right not only in your living, but in your motives, in your dreams, in the recesses of your mind. You must be so pure in your motives that God Almighty can see nothing to censure…” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, July 24th).

CHRIST is the only one who is above censure. And He is the only One who can put His own disposition into people who ask for it. “The purity which God demands is impossible unless I can be remade within…” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, July 24th).

“From the divine side, Christ is living in us and enabling us to live the way he teaches us to live. It’s his work. But from our side, it’s experienced by trusting him moment by moment to be with us and to help us” John Piper (ref#92, p87).

FATHER, I desire to take hold of CHRIST’s disposition and mold my life after His. And, praise You, that He will accomplish that when I give myself over to Him.

ADORATION

Posted by

0

GOD GIVES WHAT HE COMMANDS

Screen Shot 2016-02-03 at 2.34.43 PM… “THOU ART THE BLESSED GOD,

happy in thyself,

source of happiness in thy creatures,

my maker, benefactor, proprietor, upholder.

Thou hast produced and sustained me,

supported and indulged me,

saved and kept me,…” The Valley of Vision (ref#76, p115).

FATHER, how vast is the ways You demonstrate Your love. You stand so majestic over Your creatures and yet go to such great lengths to establish relationship. We are like sheep—created needy. You are a Shepherd—life-sustaining.

You are so very high—holy and righteous and command me to rise up to a similar position. Since I cannot, You reach down and bring me up. You call Your covenant with me an “everlasting covenant” (Gen 9:16), because it is kept by You keeping Your part as well as mine.

The Psalmist knows very well his weakness when he writes: “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart” (Ps 119:32 ESV)! Or: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant…” (Ps 119:176 ESV).

I reminisce with joy that covenant keeping does not depend on me. You say: “I will remember my covenant that is between me and you…” (Gen 9:15 ESV). You do not ask me to remember for I am prone to forget, but You remember.

“It is not my remembering God and my laying hold of His covenant, but it is God’s remembering me and His covenant’s laying hold of me” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, Aug 13th PM). Truly, “in His sovereign grace He gives what He commands and delights in the result (Phil 2:13)”  The Reformation Study Bible (ref#56, p1739, “Pleasing God”).