Prayer

Prayer That Works

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

If- There it is, that enormous two letter word �if. God�s promises have conditions. If we want to receive the promise, then we must meet His requirements.

�my people, which are called by my name- God is not talking to the sinner, He is talking to His children- Christian. Sometimes we get caught in the trap of thinking, "If those rotten sinners would change�God says if my people.

�shall humble themselves- Wait a minute, humble-me? We would rather strut than struggle in prayer. Isn�t there another way, one that will glorify the flesh instead of crucify it? But God says if we will humble ourselves and�.

�and pray- How long has it been since you wept over the children in your class? I wonder if maybe one reason we don�t see more lasting fruit is because we have lost our passion to pray? You wouldn�t think of going out every afternoon to look for ripe tomatoes in the garden if you had never planted any tomatoes. Why do we expect to reap a spiritual harvest when we have not done the things God requires to receive that harvest.

�and seek my face- This denotes intimacy. This is a place where we know God, we know His will and His desires become ours. Psalms 103:7 "He made know His ways to Moses, his acts to the children of Israel." Israel saw what God could do, but they didn�t know God. You can know God, if you are willing to pay the price to seek His face.

I attended a ladies conference when my children were young. It was nice to get a way with other young mothers. After the service, we began to cut up and play silly pranks on each other. After a while, one young mother excused herself. "I need to get to bed, I pray at 5:00 every morning. Somebody asked why she needed to pray with all the spiritual emphasis of the conference. She explained, "I haven�t always had a regular prayer time, but one night in a dream. I saw Jesus crying. I asked Him, "Why are you crying?" He said, "I want to spend time with you and you re always busy." That was a turning point in my life, now I spend time with Him every morning. It�s just our time to be together." We can�t know Him, if we don�t spend time with Him.

�and turn from their wicked ways- Do we really have to talk about this one? If we want results we must turn from our sins of unbelief. We must turn from the sins of omission and commission that would rob and defeat us. It is a loving father, not a cruel judge that demands that we release the poisonous snake of sin that brings death.

�then If we are not hearing from heaven, maybe we need to check our schedules. Have we made time for God or have all the good things we do as teachers and children�s pastors crowded Jesus out. We must have a personal relationship with Jesus and that only comes when we make room for Him.

�will I hear from heaven God promises that He will hear us. God�s ears are tuned to hear your prayer. Prayer is the key to the all of heaven�s resources. Faith turns the key. Go to the scriptures for your need. When you pray the scriptures, you�ll have the confidence to believe God for what you are asking

�and will forgive their sin- Are you sick of the crime that has infested our land? Are you sick of shooting in our schools and the garbage on the television. It�s time to do something about it besides gripe. It�s time to pray.

�and heal their land- We are experiencing a drought in Florida. Even though we are on a private well we can only water our lawns twice a week. Every time I walk in my yard, my wilted flowers remind me to pray for rain. And when I pray for rain, I pray for revival to sweep this land.

The Welsh revival, the Charles Finney revivals and all the revivals where great numbers were saved came as a result of prayer. I want to encourage you that God has awesome plans for the children of your city. I believe God wants to raise a Joshua generation. A generation of children that will believe and receive the promises of God. But it will not happen unless the Moses�, the leaders, the teachers, God�s people begin to pray and turn from their sin.

Emergency Numbers

When you are under attack, call Isaiah 54:17.

When you are outspoken, call James 1:19.

You feel forsaken, call Isaiah 41:10.

When you are undertaking a big task, call Joshua 1.

When you start to worry, call Matthew 6:25-34.

When you have sinned, call Psalm 51.

When you travel, call Psalm 121:8.

If you are depressed, call Psalm 27:1.

For the secret to happiness, call Col. 3:12-17.

If your bank account is empty, call Psalm 37: 3-7.

If you want to bare fruit, call John 15.

When you are in danger, call Psalm 91.

When doubt God�s tender love, call Psalm 139.

When your faith needs building, call Hebrews 11.

When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23.

When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 Cor. 13.

When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31-39.

When you are overwhelmed, call Matt. 11:28-30.

When you feel guilty, call Romans 8:1-30.

Having people problems, call Colossians 1:20.

When you think of investments/returns,

call Mark 10:29-30.

If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126.

This is a free call. Operator assistance is never necessary. All lines are open 24 hours a day! Amble access is available regardless of age, sex or creed. Lines are never busy. Call today! Don�t Delay!

Children can pray too!

Prayer is the most powerful force available to mankind. It is the key to the vast storehouse of all God�s provision. It is the communication vehicle to the very throne of the creator of this universe. Prayer takes the youngest child or the oldest adult into the presence of Almighty God.

God�s presence has not always be available to everyone. In the Old Testament, God�s presence rested over the Ark of the Covenant. The priest was only allowed to enter once a year. A heavy veil separated the priest and all Israel from the presence of God.

When Jesus died on the cross that veil was torn, just like you fold a piece of paper and tear it down the crease. That veil was torn in half. It wasn�t torn from the bottom, like a man grabbed it and ripped it. It was torn from the top to the bottom, like God reached down from Heaven, and ripped the veil in two. Then we could enter His presence. Jesus� atonement on the cross made a way for us to go into the presence of God.

Now the ball is in our court, will we choose to come into His presence or will we fill our lives so full of everything else that there is no time, no energy, no desire to worship at His throne.

I struggle with it daily. There are so many things I want to get done, so many demands on my time, but I have discovered two things: 1. I accomplish far more when I put Him first. 2. My walk with God is a relationship not a marathon.

Will I ever really learn the lesson? I hope so. I have recently been working on two major projects. I had deadlines, because there were people waiting on me before they could continue with the next step. I worked 17-hour days trying to keep up my travel schedule and work on the projects. I prayed, but I didn�t go into His presence like I knew I really needed to do. I was in turmoil inside. I longed to spend time enjoying my Savior, but I felt so pulled to accomplish, to get my in-basket empty.

When I finished the task. It wasn�t done right. It has to be redone, I spent weeks in turmoil that could have been avoided and it seems in my heart, God was saying, "I want you to walk in my peace." That only comes as we go God�s way. God didn�t want me spinning my wheels for nothing. He had a better way. I believe He would have showed me if I had sought His will when He was stirring my heart to spend time with Him.

Children have the same choice to make. There are so many things that fill their day, so many choices to make. We need to help them understand how much God loves them. We need to help them understand the power of prayer and how much God wants to be their best friend.

Sharon Ellard made a statement that has changed the way I teach children, She said, "If we taught children to swim, the same way we teach them the Bible they would all drown." Knowledge of how to swim is not enough. They must get in the water. They have to experience it for themselves. The same holds true for prayer. It not enough for you to believe in prayer. It�s not enough for the children to know all the mechanics of prayer- they need to do it.

Take time to pray in class. I understand that teaching is a priority, but I also understand that taking time to pray should be a priority. It doesn�t have to be long. Let the children take turns leading in prayer. Also give them time to pray quietly at their seats. I am finding that children want to spend time with God privately. Give them opportunity to just talk to God in their own words. Teach on prayer. Take children to the scriptures to build their faith. Help them to base their request on scripture. Help them see that God is a loving father that wants to bless His children. Use the Lord�s Prayer as a pattern to teach them that prayer is more than a request list. Our Army of God unit spends 6 weeks teaching on prayer. Pat Verbal has a teaching unit on prayer as well.

Teach them to listen for the still, small voice of God as they pray. Teach them to spend time thanking God as well as asking God.

Teach them to pray for others needs. The carnal man thinks first of himself and what he wants, train children to have compassion and empathy for others. Demonstrate it yourself. When a child shares a need write it down. Ask them about the situation later. I do not let them publicly share private things. I encourage them to ask for prayer without exposing things that would embarrass their family.

I sometimes forget a need when we go to pray as a group, so I have made it a practice and encourage my children to pray for the need silently as it is shared. That way I pray over every need. I also ask the Holy Spirit to remind me of things I should pray for during my prayer time.

Share answers to prayer. Let the children give testimonies of answered prayer. When God meets needs on your prayer request list share it with your class. Take time to thank God together for answering prayer.

IT REALLY HAPPENED

The brown curls bounced and the dimples danced as the small girl skipped to the door and knocked. It was a luscious treat to visit the lovely white headed Sunday School teacher. Warm, caring arms welcomed the little girl as the heavy fragrances of supper simmering on the stove and furniture polish tickled her nose.

Mrs. Maddox couldn't possibly know what a joy it was to have been chosen to go visiting with her. Ann chattered on and on as they walked down the dirt road several blocks to where a sick gentleman lay resting in bed. Ann was too excited to notice the birds happily gathering food for their babies or the brilliant sunshiny day. She had a sunshine all her own, Mrs. Maddox.

As they approached the tall porch with the doorway that appeared to be ten feet tall, Ann began to feel nervous. What would she say to an old man she had never met? What if he was grouchy? Mrs. Maddox knocked boldly on the door. A bent, wrinkle faced lady opened the squeaky door. Recognizing Mrs. Maddox, she unlatched the dusty screen door and invited them inside.

Nervously, Ann followed the women inside the dark house. She was almost sorry she had even come along. This visiting stuff wasn't what it was cracked up to be or was it? Ann prayed silently as they walked toward the sick man's room.

The old man was happy to see them and spoke kindly. Ann liked the gentleman immediately and felt her fears begin to drain. He began to share scriptures with them and spoke of his strong faith in God. They had come to encourage him, but he was being an encouragement himself. Ann listened intently and found herself wishing the visit would never end, but end it did. Mrs. Maddox stood and asked if they could pray before they left. Of course the kind old gentlemen insisted. Mrs. Maddox turned to Ann, "Would you please pray, Honey."

Ann could hardly believe her ears. They wanted her to pray aloud in front of everyone. Ann dropped her head and began to pray. She loved God deeply, but praying aloud was another matter. In simple words she asked God to heal the old man and said "Amen!"

A grin broke across the old man's face. His hands shot up in the air and he began to praise God as he felt God's healing power flow through his body. "I'm healed he said. I'm healed."

"You're what?" exclaimed the little girl.

"I'm healed!" explained the old man again. "Jesus healed me."

It was an experience Ann would never forget. God really answers prayer. She had experienced it for herself.

H. I. S. Army Curriculum This is a great unit to use if you want to teach children to pray. Click here to see a complete sample lesson.

Red Umbrella

Drought was devastating to the farmers of yesterday. Even rich, fertile ground becomes cracked and hard. Healthy crops wither and begin to die. The farmer�s life, money and hope is tied up in the wilting crop as he waits for rain. The occasional clouds that float past are only hollow promises. He waits, because that is all the farmer of yesterday could do.

Every conversation turned to the same concern, "When is it going to rain?" Even in the little white church between the rows of wilting corn, the wrinkles that creased their brow and the quiver in their voice mirrored their fear, "When is it gonna rain? This drought can�t hold out forever."

Somebody suggested it, no one was sure exactly who, but everyone agreed it was a good idea- a prayer meeting was scheduled. They were going to pray for rain. What a spiritual idea. After weeks of drought they finally decided to pray.

Everyone came. They were desperate. The entire town depended on those crops. They came with dust on their shoes and deep furors of concern etched in their heart. Some were wrinkled and white haired, some were young and strong from hard work and good food. Some held tiny babies in their arms, but they all came to pray.

They all came to pray except one little girl, she made her way to the front row where she laid it down on the pew. The others came to pray, but she came to get rain. Why would I make such a bold statement? Because I saw the red umbrella that lay beside her on the pew.

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