First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for my reception into the Olentangy River District. I will be eternally appreciative to you for your gracious welcoming me and my family into the district family. May God’s continue favor/grace, your faithfulness and His fruitfulness rest, rule and abide with you, your family and church families to embrace God’s mission (To seek and save the lost through the leading of the Holy Spirt).
Consider this!
The apostle Paul in 1st Timothy 2:8 says…I desire…that all of humanity pray everywhere, with lifting up of holy hands, without wrath and doubting. To paraphrase his words. We are encouraged to pray and not harm one another or doubt Gods purpose and plan. Throughout the bible there are examples of people of God gathering together in prayer. Over the next several months it is my hope and dream that we as the Olentangy River District covenant together to place prayer as our number one priority. In their book, The Battle Plan of Prayer by Stephen and Alex Kendrick they defined prayer as communion with God in order to:
- Intimately know, love and worship God.
- Understand and conform our lives to God’s will and ways.
- Access and advance Gods kingdom, power, and glory.
The bible records 25 prayers of Jesus, including prayers of thanks, at important events.
- Jesus prayed at his baptism…Luke 3:21-22.
- Jesus prayed before feeding the 5,000 men beside women and children…Luke 9:16: Matthew 15:36.
- Jesus prayed at his transfiguration…Luke 9:29.
- Jesus also spent the night praying on the mount side before choosing his disciples…Luke6 6:12
Prayer Targets from the Battle Plan of Prayer by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
For the next fourteen (14) days develop a specific, personal, ongoing prayer list using one or more of the following questions.
- What are your top two biggest needs right now?
- What are the top two things you are most stressed about?
- What are two issues in your life that would take a miracle of God to resolved?
- What is something you believe God may be leading you to do, but you need His clarity and direction one it?
- What is a need for someone you love that you would like to start praying for?
Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name, asking that you draw me into a closer, more personal relationship with You. Cleanse me of my sins and prepare my heart to pray in a way that pleased You. Help me to know you and love you more each day. Use all the circumstances of my life to make me more like Jesus and teach me how to pray more strategically and effectively in Your name, according to your will and your word. Use my faith, my obedience, and prayers for the benefits of others, for my good and for Your glory Amen.