Prayer, Faith, and Trusting God

The Importance of Prayer

Jesus taught us to pray in the New Testament. This was the prayer that our church congregation recited every Sunday morning by memory when I was growing up. Today, it still reminds me how I ought to pray, although I often forget.

Matthew 6:9-13, King James Version (KJV)

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The Challenge to Pray

I am often too "busy" to pray at length, but I have been recently challenged to spend more time in prayer. I began a list of specific family, friends, projects, personal goals or needs, etc. to pray for during a time I set aside, either during a quiet devotional time or while I am walking. For anyone reading this, join me in this challenge, even if it is only 2-3 times a week at first.

How to Pray

Praying is simply talking to God, either verbally or in one's mind. It acknowledges a relationship with our Creator, and it exercises faith. I recited many prayers as a child during Sunday school or church, and I did believe in God, but it was not until I was 15 that I actually prayed a fervent prayer of faith.

This was a prayer that acknowledged my need for God to be with me, not just an idea but more of a daily source of trust and companionship with the Almighty God. It went something like this:

"God, if You are there, and you truly hear my prayer. I need You to be with me, to save me, and to help me."

The words of the psalm below often remind me of how I felt at one emotional low point:

Psalm 40:2, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) 

He brought me up from a desolate pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.

"Thank you, Lord, for the times when you have delivered me from trials or danger, sadness, or pain. Please continue to guide my steps, and keep me safe in Your presence."

Prayer Guidebook
Our prayers are more effective when we truly believe in the power of prayer, and we pray according to God's will, or biblically (not just for things we want).

I did an online search for prayer resources, and I found this helpful list of scripture references (see the Praying In Victory and Praying Scriptures links below) to use during prayer times, as a reminder of the promises we can claim in the presence of God.

Each page is categorized by need, and it is has been translated in a few other languages. Thank you, PrayingInVictory.com and PrayingScriptures.com for these online websites!

Psalm 145

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)

Psalm 119 - The Power of God's Word

Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet

(Psalm 119, verses 1-8)

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,

who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!

You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.

Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.

I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!

Psalm 119:14 New Living Translation

"You are my place of quiet retreat;
I wait for your Word to renew me."
(Psalm 119:114
The Message Bible)

What the Lord Hates (Proverbs 6:16-19)

The book of Proverbs chapter 6 begins with "Warnings Against Folly," and verses 16-19 speak to the clamoring voices we see and hear daily on the TV or radio. This passage spoke to me this evening as I watched some of the political news coverage before having to turn it off. Heavenly Father, please heal our land.

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him: 

haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

2 Chronicles 7:11-22 ESV

Psalm 19: The Law of the Lord is Perfect

A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Titus 3: Learning to Do What is Good

In the first two chapters of Paul's letter to Titus, he gave instructions on how to choose godly church leaders and how members of the church should behave. The societal norms in the first century Roman church were very different than modern society today. I struggled through the second chapter's descriptions of how slaves are to obey their masters, and how women are not permitted to speak. I fully understand why these rules were written as this was the practice at the time and for a slave or woman to rebel, it would be very scandalous.

The true minister of Christ is expected to be pure and beyond reproach, not disobedient or disrespectful, practicing humility while being able to teach others. I am beginning to learn that God can use any one of us, but our roles and methods may be very different.

In Titus 3, Paul describes who we used to be versus who we are in Christ.

AT ONE TIME WE WERE…

Foolish

Disobedient

Deceived

Enslaved by passions and pleasures

Living in malice

Living in envy

Hated and hating one another

"BUT, when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy" (Titus 3:4).

NOW WE ARE TO BE…

Spiritually washed, reborn, and renewed by the Holy Spirit

Heirs (of Abraham) having the hope of eternal life based on our faith in Jesus Christ

Those who trust in God

Careful to devote ourselves to doing what is good

Pursuing things that are excellent and profitable for everyone

BUT AVOID…

Foolish controversies, genealogies & arguments

Quarrels about the law (O.T. law)

Things that are unprofitable and useless

A divisive person, warped & sinful; they are self-condemned

In the first-century church, just as now, our faith and spiritual devotion are daily choices and a spiritual discipline that makes us stronger in our faith as we live by our faith and are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12

In the New Testament, Jesus said there are two commandments that sum up the O.T. law. These can be found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark or Luke,

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Before Paul closes his letter to Titus, he urges him to remind everyone to devote themselves to doing what is good, "in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives". This is my favorite verse of this chapter. Lord, please help us to provide for others and live productive and fulfilling lives led by our faith and good works--surely, this is true religion, to take care of others and love them.

Be Sensible: Teach Sound Doctrine and Faith

In Titus, chapter 1, Paul gave instructions to Titus on how to appoint godly leaders. In chapter 2, Paul commands Titus and the church leaders to be sound teachers. This includes older men, older women, young men, and even slaves are instructed to demonstrate utter faithfulness to their master so that they might "adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything." 

How does a slave obey and show utter faithfulness to a master? This is a concept we, Americans, have a difficult time grasping in the 21st century. However, we must go back to what the church was instructed to be. In Titus 2, older men were to be: self controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. Older women were to be: reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, teachers of what is good, and encouraging younger women to love their husbands and children.

Young men were to be: sensible "about everything," an example of good works, having integrity and dignity in teaching, having a message that is beyond reproach so that the opponent would be ashamed and have nothing bad to say.

Since the word sensible was used throughout this chapter, I decided to look it up online. This is what I found on dictionary.com.

Synonyms

1. intelligent, sagacious, rational, reasonable. See practical. 2. conscious, understanding, observant. 4. perceptible, discernible, palpable.

At this point, I have modified my blog from my original post. How does sensibility, intelligence, consciousness, and understanding (a few of the key words above) relate back to sound teaching?

The words intelligent and sagacious remind me of the many scriptures that explain how we are to seek wisdom from God. Some examples: 1 Corinthians 1, James 1:5.

And applying this wisdom to faith, it is impossible to please God if we do not have faith, live a life worthy of Him, evidenced by good works (Colossians 1:10).

In the Bible in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8-10, we learn that it is not good works that save us, it is our faith--the good works result from this faith and this relationship with God:

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift--not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation--created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them."

The last part of Titus 2 concludes with verses 11-15, and they are very important and noteworthy for all people as an eternal promise and gift from God, if we choose to accept His gift of salvation.

"For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works. Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

Paul to Titus: Find Good, Capable Leaders

I may have found one of my favorite books in the Bible. It only has three chapters, and the first one was so simple, yet so profound. Paul is writing a letter to Titus, his "child in the common faith." As his mentor, he gives some pointers on how to appoint capable leaders.

They should be blameless, a husband to one wife, with faithful children who are not accused of wildness or rebellion. As God's manager, he must be blameless and not arrogant--not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, and not greedy for money.

But, this leader should be hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, capable of encouraging others with sound teachings and able to refute those who contradict it.

Paul continues, "For, there are many rebellious people, idle talkers, deceivers... They overthrow whole households by teaching for dishonest gain what they should not" (Titus 1:10-11).

"To the pure, everything is pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; in fact, their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work" (Titus 1:15-16).