Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Prayer Closet
Jeremiah prophesied that all shepherds who refuse to seek God in prayer will fail: "For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered" (Jeremiah 10:21, NKJV).
The scene Jeremiah described is exactly what we see today in the church. Many shepherds have become lazy and neglectful. They see their calling as only a job or a paycheck. They lean on the arm of their flesh instead of seeking to know God's heart through prayer. They have lost all power to feed and keep the sheep in order, and the sheep are being scattered. The unity that once kept churches strong is now breaking apart.
Jeremiah said of his day: "My tent is plundered, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me, and they are no more. There is no one to pitch my tent anymore, or set up my curtains" (Jeremiah 10:20). The cords he spoke of, the binding power of God that kept unity among the people, had been obliterated. The flock was scattered, and there was such uncleanness among the priesthood that no one dared go near the holy things of God. No priest was worthy to touch the holy curtains.
Do you have a closet of prayer? To have a "secret closet" means simply to be shut in with God anywhere, anytime, giving quality time to seeking him and calling on his name. Prayer closet also means "prayer habit." Practice means disciplining yourself to come before God, having a heart that says, "I must get alone with God. I must talk with my Father today!"
Sometimes my secret closet is alone in my car. It is often my study at home or on the streets of New York City. A few weeks ago, it was a Florida beach, where I walked for hours, shut in with God. The kind of prayer I am talking about involves intimacy with God and seeking aloneness with him.
Beloved, do you have a daily practice of getting alone with God?
"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:6).
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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
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