08112401_Roger_Gaderenes
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Simplicity from Prayer
Prayer is a major part of simplifying life. Genuine prayer cannot be separated from the Word of God (Eph 1:15-23, Eph 3:14-20, Eph 6:18). The Lord was compelled to go out and pray (Mar 1:35-38, Isa 50:4, Psa 90:15). God calls us to pray and we don't (Jam 4:2). Prayer is the most often recorded discipline of the Lord in scripture. Jesus exemplified that pray is a necessity for spiritual power and dynamics. The disciples asked why their exorcism wasn't effective; Jesus told them they needed to pray and fast (Mar 9:29).
Jesus and others in scripture set a chosen time in the morning (Mar 1:35, Psa 5:3, Dan 6:10, Lam 3:23). It was a matter of self discipline to the Lord. Jesus found a suitable place. Why did Jesus have to pray? He put a tremendous emphasis on it. The discipline of the Master became the desire of the disciples. Luke 11:1-13 shows the disciples were impressed that prayer was important to Jesus. He taught them to pray by praying after they asked about it.
His prayer had these characteristics:
What kind of impact did the Lord's teaching have on the disciples? "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Mar 1:35, Act 1:14). We are all in equal standing with the Lord (e.g. women and men). Their prayers were focused (Luk 11:13, Act 1:5-8). The early church was effective in sharing and giving (Act 2:42-47). They devoted themselves to prayer and study (Act 6:1-7). God will not move in a mighty way among unbelievers until we give Him the freedom to move in a mighty way among us believers.
How can prayer make life more simple?
Life gets complex when we stop living it according to the owner's manual.
Scripture References: John 9:37-39, Daniel 6:10, Acts 1:14, Hebrews 4:16, Mark 1:35-38, Joel 2:28, Psalms 5:3, Mark 1:35, Luke 11:5-8, Ephesians 6:18, Ezekiel 36:27, Mark 1:35, Romans 8:26-27, Romans 8:14, Acts 6:1-7, Ephesians 3:14-20, Luke 11:13, Mark 9:29, Ephesians 1:3, Matthew 6:14-15, Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 1:15-23, James 1:17, James 4:2, Isaiah 53:12, Luke 11:1-13, Acts 1:5-8, Psalms 103:13, Psalms 90:15, Ephesians 4:8, Lamentations 3:23, Luke 11:13, Luke 11:9-13, Isaiah 50:4
Nan Cunningham spoke to the ladies at the 2018 AYC Camp.
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