WEEK 2

Mark 11:24

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

It seemed that some saw their prayers answered; it seemed others did to receive what they prayed.  Some were rescued and were delivered; others suffered and perished. Just what is prayer, and does it work?

This takes patience, time and discipline to energize and create a prayer life that gets results, but in doing so you will change your life!

I will add one scripture verse each week (as permitted) to the previous day’s verse until we have a complete picture of what the Bible says. And, as we go, we will have the opportunity (and the encouragement) to put the Word of God into practice – daily.

These words are straight forward and the meaning is easy to determine; and a face value reading of these words of Jesus leaves little room for an alternate understanding. But context is everything. Let’s look at the verses that precede and follow this verse:

Mark 11:20, “As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Verse 21. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

Verse 22. And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.

Verse 23. Truly, I say to you,

• whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and
• does not doubt in his heart, but
• believes that what he says will come to pass,
• it will be done for him.

Verse 24. Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it (aorist tense – are continuing to receive it), and it will be yours. Verse 25. And whenever you stand praying,

• forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Now, let’s look at the context of these words elsewhere in the Bible and see if they harmonize, agree and confirm this message:

Matthew 21:20, “When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” Verse 21. And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. Verse 22. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Verse 8. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

John 15: 7, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

AND I SAY, AGAIN

Therefore, (because of this), I tell you (I say to you; I command and thereby lay this matter to rest), whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Prayer is never easy. Having and building your faith is not easy. This takes persistence.

Luke 18:1-8, “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. God will give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Luke 11:5-8, “And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistent impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.”

You can do this. We can do this. Let’s pray!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Back to Week 1)

                      Week 3:  Coming Soon.

Prayer Journal

It seemed that some saw their prayers answered; it seemed others did not receive what they prayed.  Some were rescued and delivered; others suffered and perished. Just what is prayer, and does it work?

Our common ideas regarding prayer are not found in the New Testament. Our greatest misunderstandings about prayer, which bring us our greatest disappointments and failures, are:

• Typically, we look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves.
  • But the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God, Himself.

• We see prayer from a ‘natural perspective’, that is from a fleshly point of view, to provide for our physical, mental and emotional needs.
  • Prayer is a ‘spiritual exercise’ that produces eternal spiritual results.

• To say that “prayer changes things” is not as close to the truth as saying, “Prayer changes me, and then I change things.”
  • God has established things so that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person’s inner nature.

A “Google Search” on “what is prayer” returned 1,100,000,000 results (0.58 seconds). This must be a very hot topic!  The ‘web page hits’ included views ranging from mainline protestant views, to Catholic views, Islamic views and every other idea about prayer invented by man or woman. But 1,100,000,000 is too many for me to read or research, so, here are a few definitions and explanations of ‘prayer’ from four well known Christian sources:

1. (Got Questions.Org) The most basic definition of prayer is “talking to God.” Prayer is not meditation or passive reflection; it is direct address to God. It is the communication of the human soul with the Lord who created the soul. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate his emotions and desires with God and to fellowship with God.

Prayer is described in the Bible as seeking God’s favor (Exodus 32:11), pouring out one’s soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15), crying out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32:20), drawing near to God (Psalm 73:28, KJV), and kneeling before the Father (Ephesians 3:14).

Prayer is the Christian’s way of communicating with God. We pray to praise God and thank Him and tell Him how much we love Him. We pray to enjoy His presence and tell Him what is going on in our lives. We pray to make requests and seek guidance and ask for wisdom. God loves this exchange with His children, just as we love the exchange we have with our children. Fellowship with God is the heart of prayer. Too often, we lose sight of how simple prayer is really supposed to be.

 

2. (carm.org.). Prayer is the practice of the presence of God.  It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made.  Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God.  Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian.  Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope.  Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord.

 

3. (crosswalk.com). Prayer is Talking with God.

• As believers in Christ, we have an amazing privilege; our Heavenly Father invites us to talk to Him! In Jeremiah 29:12, He invites His children to speak and promises to listen: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” We can read God’s Word and talk to Him in the morning to align our hearts with His at the start of the day, and we can also talk to Him as we go about our daily routines.
• Prayer is Praise.
• Prayer is asking for a change of heart.
• Prayer is telling God your needs in prayer.
• Prayer is thanking God.
• Prayer is asking for empowerment.
• Praying is turning your heart toward God.

 

4. (Oswald Chambers – My Utmost for His Highest). Prayer is not a normal part of the life of the natural man. We hear it said that a person’s life will suffer if he doesn’t pray, but I question that. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer. When a person is born again from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve or nourish that life. Prayer is the way that the life of God in us is nourished.

Our common ideas regarding prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves, but the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself.

“Ask, and you will receive…” (John 16:24). We complain before God, and sometimes we are apologetic or indifferent to Him, but we actually ask Him for very few things. Yet a child exhibits a magnificent boldness to ask! Our Lord said, “…unless you…become as little children…” (Matthew 18:3). Ask and God will do. Give Jesus Christ the opportunity and the room to work. The problem is that no one will ever do this until he is at his wits’ end. When a person is at his wits’ end, it no longer seems to be a cowardly thing to pray; in fact, it is the only way he can get in touch with the truth and the reality of God Himself. Be yourself before God and present Him with your problems— the very things that have brought you to your wits’ end. But as long as you think you are self-sufficient, you do not need to ask God for anything.

To say that “prayer changes things” is not as close to the truth as saying, “Prayer changes me, and then I change things.” God has established things so that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person’s inner nature.

1. Prayer is not an exercise – it is the life.
2. Our prayers are heard, not because we are in earnest, not because we suffer, but because Jesus suffered.
3. Prayer is not logical – it is a mysterious moral working of the Holy Spirit.
4. Get a place for prayer where no one imagines that that is what you are doing. Shut the door and talk to God.
5. It is impossible to conduct your life as a disciple without definite times of secret prayer.
6. It takes a tremendous amount of reiteration on God’s part before we understand what prayer is. We do not pray at all until we are at our wits’ end.
7. God answers prayer on the ground of Redemption and on no other ground.
8. Prayer is not getting things from God, that is the most initial stage; prayer is getting into perfect communion with God; I tell Him what I know He knows in order that I may get to know it as He does.
9. Prayer imparts the power to walk and not faint.
10. Never say you will pray about a thing; pray about it.
11. Our Lord prayed because He was concentrated on God; that is, He did not worship prayer.
12. God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.
13. Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural.
14. Never make the blunder of trying to forecast the way God is going to answer your prayer.
15. Prayer is the answer to every problem there is.
16. Inarticulate prayer, the impulsive prayer that looks so futile, is the thing God always heeds. The habit of ejaculatory prayer ought to be the persistent habit of each one of us.
17. Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in heaven; the Holy Ghost carries on intercession in us on earth; and we the saints have to carry on intercession for all men.
18. Prayer is simple, prayer is supernatural, and to anyone not related to our Lord Jesus Christ, prayer is apt to look stupid.
19. Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.
20. When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message.
21. You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe in the reality of redemption.
22. Our understanding of God is the answer to prayer.
23. Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance.
24. Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God, whose ways you may not understand at the time.
25. If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God.
26. Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man’s disposition.
27. The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him.
28. We are not here to prove God answers prayer, but to be living trophies of God’s grace.
29. What hinders me from hearing is that I am taking up with other things. It is not that I will not hear God, but I am not devoted in the right place.
30. When you are in the dark, listen, and God will give you a very precious message.– Oswald Chambers 

Is it that simple? I certainly hope so. But the Bible has much to say on this matter. So, let’s go to the Bible for the final word.

(I will add one scripture verse each week – as permitted – to the previous day’s verse until we have a complete picture of what the Bible says.  This way, we will then have the opportunity (and the encouragement) to put the Word of God into practice – weekly.

Click here for Week #1 verse and study:

Philippians 4:6, “Do

not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

 

 

WEEK 1

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Let’s break this verse down into its component parts:

1 – Do not be anxious about anything, but (simple enough: don’t be anxious)

            2- in everything (simple enough: in everything)

                        3 – by prayer and supplication (simple enough)

                                    4 – with thanksgiving (simple enough)

                                                5 – Let your requests be made known to God. (simple)

The foregoing is one simple step to having an effective prayer life that gets answers – or is it?

Have you ever been anxious? Could you ‘turn it on and off’ at will? Not so easy, huh?

This word, anxious, means to be drawn in opposite directions; “divided into parts”, or to “to go to pieces” because you are being pulled apart in different directions. (From the Greek language (Strong’s concordance #3309), “merimnáō”)

Anxiety is the mind and body’s reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It’s the sense of uneasiness, distress, or dread you feel before a significant event. A certain level of Anxiety helps us stay alert and aware, but for those suffering from an anxiety disorder, it feels far from normal – it can be completely debilitating.

Constant anxiety levies a toll on health. For example, anxiety increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, raising blood pressure, which contributes over time to heart problems, stroke, kidney disease, and sexual dysfunction. And a 2017 Lancet study using brain scans measured activity in an area called the amygdala, which mounts split-second responses to danger and encodes memories of frightening events. Greater activity in the amygdala correlated with higher risk for heart disease and stroke, possibly, the researchers speculated, by triggering immune system production of extra white cells to fight perceived threats. In people struggling with emotional stress, this might drive inflammation and plaque formation that leads to heart attacks and strokes.

Quality of life suffers, too. Intrusive thoughts, dread of panic attacks, intense self-consciousness and fear of rejection, and other hallmarks of anxiety disorders compel people to avoid anxiety-provoking situations. This interferes with relationships, work, school, and activities as people isolate themselves, turn down opportunities, and forgo possible joys in life. (Note: there can be multiple medical reasons, emotional, psychological and physical contributing conditions that produce anxiety.)

What can be done to address or to alleviate anxiety? It seems that the more we try to avoid a behavior, the more we are drawn to it and the worse it becomes. The Apostle Paul talked about something similar when he said he was unable to do the good things he wanted to do (and the more he tried), the more he did the (bad) things he did not want to do. He lamented his condition and posed the question, “Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me and set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]?”

FOCUS

Paul realized that it is all about one’s mindset – what we focus on. He says, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8)

It is not an easy thing, to change one’s mindset. It takes a long time to set one’s mind, and it will take an equally long or longer time to change it. With that in mind, Paul give us this:

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

Finally, brothers,

• whatever is true,
•  whatever is honorable and worthy of respect,
  
• whatever is just and right,
  
• whatever is pure and wholesome,
  
• whatever is lovely and brings peace,
  
• whatever is commendable, admirable and brings good repute,
  
• if there is any excellence,
• if there is anything worthy of praise,
• continually dwell on and think on these things; [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
  

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you. (Philippians 4:7-9 – Amplified version.)

This takes patience, time and discipline to energize and create a prayer life that gets results, but in doing so you will have changed your life for the best!

Now, if you are willing, go back to the list (Philippians 4:7-9) and dwell on each ‘whatever’ and audibly name ‘whatever’, then write it down.

The outcome of daily prayer, focus, mediation and practice will give you what you are looking for:  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Back to the Introduction)

              Week 2

 Prayer Journal

RADICAL (and DANGEROUS) CHRISTIANITY?

(Is it the right way?)

Why do we end our prayers with, “In Jesus Name” or with “If it is Your Will”?  What does that even mean? Is it an incantation or an indication that you don’t know God’s Will?

“Praying in Jesus’ name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus.”

So, unless saying “In Jesus Name” is just a meaningless repetition or a type of “incantation”, “Praying in Jesus Name” is the same thing as praying according to the “Will of God“.

If this is so, then shouldn’t we ask ourselves, “what good does it do to say “In Jesus Name” if we aren’t going to follow thorough “In Jesus Name”? Or to pray “the Will of God” if we aren’t going to obey or perform “The Will of God”?

Here is a great example of what our Lord is saying:

1 Peter 2:13-23, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake

to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

“For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God.

“Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

“For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously”,

Too Radical? Too dangerous in this postmodern world to humble yourself and be submissive to God in a world where we are constantly being told to “Stand up for YOUR RIGHTS”!!

Let’s recap 1 Peter 2:13-23:

1. Submit yourself for the Lord’s sake

   1. to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,

   2. or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

2. For such is the Will of God

   1. that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

3. Act as free men,

   1. and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil,

   2. but use it as bond slaves of God.

4. Honor all people,

   1. love the brotherhood,

   2. fear God,

   3. honor the king.

5. Be submissive to your masters with all respect,

   1. not only to those who are good and gentle, but

   2. also to those who are unreasonable.

6. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

7. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?

   1. But if when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure it, and this finds favor with God.

8. For you have been called for this purpose,

   1. since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;

9. and while being reviled,

   1. He did not revile in return;

   2. while suffering, He uttered no threats,

   3. but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

NOTE: THE WORD OF GOD, THE BIBLE, GOD HIMSELF (John 1) is supernatural and prophetic. His Word does not return to Him void, but it will accomplish His Purpose. (Isiah 55:8-11)

EMBRACE HIS WORD.

Cause His Word to live in your mind and make it your own word.

IMPLANT HIS WORD

in your heart, in your mind and in your spirit. Think on it day and night.

PERFORM HIS WORD

When you recall His Words, DO THEM, immediately, on the spot, as you go.

DO IT and neither, your life nor the world around you will ever be the same again!

Let’s all remain IN HIS GRIP, and let’s pray for one another as we turn this world back UPSIDE DOWN!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:

We have been called to join Jesus on the front lines of the battlefield.  The time for worry, complaining, standing, watching and waiting is over.

We are seeing an unprecedented unleashing demonic activity from the depths of hell.  Our nation and world is being overcome by evil, perversity, disease, war, hatred and divisions, and we are called to stand in the gap!

God tells us, repeatedly, through the Bible, to “gird ourselves up” with the full armor of God, fear not, stand firm and engage the enemy.  He has promised us that everywhere our foot treads shall be ours and that no enemy will be able to stand before us all the days of our lives.  He has given us His Authority, and that He is with us until the end of the age.

Before you dismiss this, ask yourself, “What are you DOING that He told you to do, in these Last Days?”  This is URGENT!

I am pleading with you to meet in Him in your Prayer Room, daily.

Here is a Prayer Journal to help us get started.  (You can download and/or print “War Room Journal”from .PDF format)

Click to access war-room-prayer-journal-2.pdf

Please let me know you will.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young