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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Wednesday In The Word

"Scientists have found that images of the brain in prayer resembles the brain of a person interacting with somebody they love." Perhaps this is the best definition of prayer that has ever been written.

Prayer is intimate communication with the LIVING GOD and His Son, Jesus. The Bible dictionary puts it this way:
"Prayer is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14)."

It is amazing to think that the scientific world has validated what we already know or have experienced if we have spent much time in prayer. Prayer is more than a shout out to God when we are in an emergency situation. Although God hears us anytime we cry out to Him. You have to know from your own experience that you don't really get to know a person until you have conversations with them on levels beyond the surface introductory greetings and pleasantries. Prayer is a deep relationship.

The Bible says:
"the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. " James 5: 15-18

From the rooftop:

Your prayers are powerful

Your prayers are effective

The people in the Bible are just like you

God hears your sincere heart

God will answer your prayers

Elijah was one man and you are one person

Your individual prayer could change the course of history

When you pray for your spouse, your child, your friends, your neighbors, your job, your world or whatever concerns you have in your heart, God hears. God will answer your prayer. It may not be exactly how you want or what you thought but it will be the best answer. May all our hearts be sincere as we bow our knees and engage in conversation with the One that wants to have the deepest relationship with us.

I am praying for you and I love you.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I LOVE that definition...actually, I love this whole WITW. Beautiful reminder with urgency. Thank you!

Tami VanHoy said...

A beautiful encouragement for us to draw near to God. Thanks!