Thoughts For Today

Communication in warfare is very important. As Christians, we are at war. We communicate with our commander to make all kinds of requests through................prayer.

Here are some reasons for prayer:
Because God, our Creator and King, commands us to pray. - Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
Because Christianity is not about religion, but relationship. Relationship requires communication. Sons talk to their Father. - Exodus 33:11; Matthew 6:9; Hebrews 4:15-16.
Because we are weak and helpless and need much more than we have. - Psalm 54; Matthew 7:7-12; Philippians 4:6; James 5:13.
Because we are sinners and need a changed heart. - Psalm 51:10; Luke 18:9-14; James 5:16; Jude 20.
Because other people need God to do things in their life and we can pray for them. - Job 42:7-9; Luke 6:27-28; Colossians 1:9-12; 4:3.

If we are to act as disciples of Christ, we must become increasingly God-centered, desiring His will and seeking after His way of accomplishing that will. And we must become increasingly self-forgetful, rather than self-absorbed.
How is this to be done? Prayer is the means appointed by God. By it, we lose our self-will and become God-centered. Through prayer, the Kingdom of Self is broken down and the Kingdom of God lifted up. Learning how to pray in a Kingdom manner is critical the healthy life of all Christians. The following two steps outline important elements in prayer.

"I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I always remember you in my prayers, asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you will know him better. I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called us and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people. And you will know that God's power is very great for us who believe." — Ephesians 1:16-19.


"I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God." — Ephesians 3:16-19.
"Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready and never give up. Always pray for all God's people. Also pray for me that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret of the Good News without fear. I have been sent to preach this Good News, and I am doing that now, here in prison. Pray that when I preach the Good News I will speak without fear, as I should." — Ephesians 6:18-20.
"This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love; that you will see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good; that you will be pure and without wrong for the coming of Christ; that you will do many good things with the help of Christ to bring glory and praise to God." — Philippians 1:9-11.

Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. Pray that we can preach the secret that God has made known about Christ. This is why I am in prison. Pray that I can speak in a way that will make it clear, as I should." — Colossians 4:2-4.
"Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." — Colossians 4:12.
"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers." — 1 Thessalonians 1:2.

First, I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him. Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth." — 1 Timothy 2:1-4.