Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Grace Rains Down
Our life in Christ begins in grace, continues in grace, and will end in grace. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV).
Once we grasp this truth, our lives will be marked by freedom, joy, and delight, not bondage, weariness, or dread. Spending time in God's presence will seem like a joyous gift rather than a duty. After all, Jesus says we are no longer his servants but his friends.
None of this negates our responsibility. Of course, there is a time to set the alarm clock to rise and pray, but don't you dare do it without the oil of God's grace. Don't read your Bible without grace, or you will come away condemned and fearful rather than enlightened and empowered. Why? It is God's work of grace to show us our inability. That's the only way we will ever acknowledge his ability.
No, don't give up on your accountability group. Don't give up on your dedicated prayer time. Don't give up on your Bible study group. Don't give up on any of these wonderful disciplines, unless they are getting in the way of God's grace working fully in your life.
Some of you might say, "The way you're talking, nobody will ever pray again. No one will discipline himself to the task. We don't have it in us. If we follow your suggestion, no one will ever know God's way for us."
Just remember that grace rains down on us from the Lord's throne; it doesn't rise upward from us to him. That is what will draw the world to our lives and testimonies. When people see real grace raining down on us, they will see the wonders that it works in us. They will know our hearts have been won not by our work but by God's. May it be so in your life today!
__________________
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
|