PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER

[Gentletouch]

Let me start this thread with a true story of Larry Turner.

POWER OF PRAYER - by Larry Turner (Texas)

Philippians 4:6 NSV
"Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplications with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

The news hit me hard. Soviet leaders were under house arrest, and Communist hard-liners were attempting to overthrow those pushing for reform of their government. It was the culmination of many months of struggle for change.

I felt small and unimportant in what was happening as I prayed, "Lord God, please do not let freedom be hindered in soviet republics. I pray for Your peace and for every opportunity for the gospel of Christ to be preached. Protect the innocent. Your will be done."

Later another report came, this time announcing the defeat of the hard - liners. Lives had been spared- possibly thousands.

we don't always see an answer to our prayers so quickly, but i realized for the first time that my prayer amount to more than just a small voice in the world. My prayers are part of many, each one of which God hears and answers No longer did I feel so small and unimportant.


"Father, thank you for intervening in human affairs for protecting the innocent and answering prayers."

[Gentletouch]

As we learn the principles of prayers, we must put them into action.... meaning we must apply them when we pray even when it's a short prayer to see the fulfillment of the principles of prayer and see our prayers positively answered. All our prayers are answered 5 ways... Definitely, (we prayed according to HIS will), Differently, (HE gives us what's good for us, not what we are expecting), Distributed (a little each time to encourage us to continue pressing on praying), Delayed (HE answers us just in the right time to help us develop patience and to trust HIM), Denied (what we have asked is not what suit us. HE has a better plan and a better place for us. HE does not only want to give what's good for us but what's best for us if we will completely put our trust in HIM and HIS word).


The word ACTS will help us talk to God

ADORATION:
Worship and praise for who He is and what He has done. Psalms 100:4

CONFESSION:
Complete honesty with God is an absolute necessity here. Tell God about the things you have done, said and thought, which you know are wrong. If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us. - 1 John 1:8,9

THANKSGIVING:
Examples of things we can be thankful for are: the ability to appreciate the sunset, a place to sleep, eternity with God, tough times that result in greater maturity, etc.

SUPPLICATION:
1. It is important to make your requests specific if you want specific results.
2. It is essential that we persevere in our requests and not lose heart. Luke 18:1
3.Use notebook to record prayer requests and answers
4 Examples we can pray for :individual non-believers (include at least one government leader), believers needs, and the advancement of God's Kingdom.

This week, I will share to you the points of prayer that we can use wherever or however we want to do it, privately or corporally. The first 4 points:

1. Enter God's presence with praise and thanksgiving in Jesus name.- Ps.33:1; 144:1,2; 57:5.

2.Pray for repentance for God's people- Ps. 51:10,17; 139:23,24; 2 Chronicles 7:14.

3. Pray for our Government leaders
a. to understand and know God (Jer. 9:24)
b. to walk righteously and speak what is right on social issues
like abortion, homosexualty, crimes, pornography, abuse,
family tradition (Isa.33: 15).
c. to consent to Christian evangelism- (Prov.16:1; 21:1; 29:2;
14:34; 1 kings 3:9; 1 Tim.2:1-4).

4.Pray for Church leaders, evangelists, missionaries and their families:
a. to devote themselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry
of the word (Acts 6:4)
b. to live above reproach- managing their families well-
(1 Tim. 3: 2-4).
c. Correcting, rebuking and encouraging with great patience
and careful instruction (2Tim. 4:2).
d. to be delivered from wicked men (2 Thess. 3: 1-2).
e. to boldly spread God's Word everywhere (Matt. 9:38).

(The World Literature Crusade)

Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

THE POWER OF HIS NAME

SEVERAL IMPORTANT THOUGHTS CONCERNING PRAYING IN THE NAME OF JESUS

1.TO PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS IS TO PRAY WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST.

WE CANNOT EXPECT GOD TO HONOR ANY PETITION THAT IS NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE MIND AND SPIRIT OF CHRIST. GOD WILL DO NOTHING CONTRARY TO HIS NATURE, AND HIS NATURE HAS BEEN CLEARLY REVEALED IN CHRIST. TO PRAY WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST, THE PRAY-ER MUST THINK LIKE CHRIST. THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE AS WE ABIDE IN HIS WORD.

2.TO PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS IS THE KEY TO ALL OF GOD’S POWER

“WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK IN MY NAME, THAT WILL I DO” (JOHN14:13).
“IF YE ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME, I WILL DO IT.” (JOHN 14:14)
“YE HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU AND ORDAINED YOU.
"THAT YE SHOULD GO AND BRING FORTH AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN, THAT WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE MAY GIVE IT TO YOU” (JOHN 16:23).

IT IS CLEAR AS WE STUDY THE SCRIPTURE THAT JESUS’ NAME IS THE KEY TO GOD’S POWER. HE WHO PLEADS WELL KNOWS THE SECRET OF PREVAILING WITH GOD, ESPECIALLY IF HE PLEADS THE BLOOD OF JESUS, FOR THAT UNLOCKS THE TREASURY OF HEAVEN. MANY KEYS FIT MANY LOCKS, BUT THE MASTER KEY IS THE BLOOD AND THE NAME OF HIM THAT DIED BUT ROSE AGAIN, AND EVER LIVES IN HEAVEN TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST.

3.TO PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS IS THE CHRISTIAN POWER OF ATTORNEY.

THE POWER OF ATTORNEY MEANS THE LEGAL AND WRITTEN AUTHORITY TO TRANSACT BUSINESS FOR ANOTHER. TO PRAY IN JESUS NAME MEANS WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE HIS NAME IN TRANSACTING ALL HIS SPIRITUAL BUSINESS. ASKING JESUS TO STAND UP AND SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR PRAYER, TO SERVE AS AN ADVOCATE WHO SPONSORS OUR PRAYER, AS IT ARRIVES AT THE COURTS OF HEAVEN. LET US NOT DECLINE THIS PRIVILEGE .

4. TO PRAY IN NAME OF JESUS IS AN ATTITUDE OF HEART, NOT MERELY AN EXPRESSION

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOME CHRISTIANS WHO SEEK AN EASY PATH TO POWER WITH GOD. THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT GOD OWES THEM SOMETHING RATHER THAN ADMITTING THEY OWE GOD SOMETHING.

(The World Literature Crusade)

Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

THE NEED TO PREVAIL

Samuel Chadwick wrote, “There is no power like that of a prevailing prayer. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings life. It brings God. To Prevail in a task is to be victorious in that endeavor. To prevail in prayer, then, is to pray victoriously. Whereas “travail” would seem to include how we “feel” in prayer, “prevail” would seem to involve how we “fight” in prayer. A closer look at the need to prevail in prayer should strengthen the warrior’s prayer life.

1. To prevail in prayer is to fight until an answer comes.
To prevail in prayer is “as arguing our cause before the High Court of Heaven. It is to keep on going on in our prayer, as someone has suggested. Prevailing prayer has the patience to wait until an answer comes. This praying will not retreat until all of Satan’s demons are moved aside, heaven’s gates are opened, and God’s promises are poured forth.

2. To prevail in prayer is to fight the real enemy of prayer.
Some misunderstood this matter of wrestling in prayer, taking it to mean that we are wrestling against God. They picture God as withholding good gifts from His children in such a manner that only prevailing prayer can wrestle these gifts away. Such is not the case at all, and much spiritual damage can be done through this interpretation. Our warfare is not against God but against Satan. Prevailing prayer is really our refusal to allow the enemy to advance. Example: In 1540 Martin Luther’s friend, Frederick Myconius, became extremely ill. He wrote a farewell letter to Luther but Luther replied. “I command thee in the name of God to live because I still need thee in the work of reforming the church….The Lord will never let me hear you dead but permit you to survive me For this I am praying that, this my will, and my will be done because I seek only to glorify the name of God.” History reveals that when Luther wrote this letter, Myconius’ condition had deteriorated beyond natural restoration. He had even lost his ability to speak. Death was imminent. Then miracle happened. Slowly new life began to flow into Luther’s friend and soon was completely well. He actually outlived Martin Luther by two months. Luther’s prayer had prevailed. Prayer can change the world!

3. To prevail in prayer is to pray with intense earnestness.
In travail we deeply want a thing; in prevailing prayer we earnestly fight for that thing. Dr. Torrey Have labeled this praying –“praying through.” Torrey meant we were not to cease praying until the answer came. He prayed for two persons from his pastorate and prayed for their salvation for many years. He faithfully prayed for them everyday. He went to Germany for further studies. When He finished he was invited to do a series of meetings to his first pastorate. He never missed a day praying for those two persons. One night in that series of meetings, he gave an invitation for all who would accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. These two people did. That was an answer to prevailing prayer.

4. To prevail in prayer is to be fixed in our prayer purpose.
To prevail in prayer demands a solid commitment to the purpose of that prayer. It is saying with the Psalmist, “My heart is fixed, oh God, my heart is fixed” (Psalm57:7). Daniel declared, “I set my face unto the Lord God…”(Daniel 9:3). Even our Lord gives an example of the determination we need to prevail in prayer. The bible says Jesus “set His face to go to Jerusalem” as He faced crucifixion on a cross (Luke 9:51). Such determination is closely related to prevailing prayer. It is a determination that refuses to give up no matter the cost.

(The World Literature Crusade)

Gentletouch

[sky]

Hi, thanks for this.
For me, this is a very sensitive, almost painful issue at the moment.
A year ago, I had my first miscarriage.
6 months later I was pregnant again.
On our first ultrasound, we saw a tiny little foetus with a beating heart.
Every day I praised God, and then prayed that please, would he keep my little baby safe, that it wouldn't die like the other.
5 weeks later we had another ultrasound. There was no beating heart anymore... the baby had died.

The next three weeks were horrible. Because of a cyste on one of my ovaries that kept on producing pregnancy hormones, my body did not let go of the foetus. After three weeks I had to use pills to induce a miscarriage and had the miscarriage at home. Very painful, very sad. The next day an ultrasound showed that I also needed an emergency curretage that same day. This all happened two months ago.

First let me point out that although I feel very sad, a little depressed even maybe... I don't feel anger towards God. There are a million things I don't understand about life with God, but I guess some things just happen. I know that God is my Father, that when I cry, He cries with me.

I just don't know how and what to pray anymore. I have my devotional time at breakfast, and I still read my bible and devotional books, and I love the wisdom of God's words, yet I just don't know what to pray anymore. So to be honest, I just don't pray anymore at the moment. I just read His word, trying to find answers... which I haven't found yet.

I have a million things to be thankful for, so I do give Him praise for that. I have a healthy delicioulsy naughty 2-year-old son. I have the best husband in the world, a lovely house and friends and family.

I could be happy should no other children come into my family. I would need time to adjust to the thought, and would need to time to accept it, but I am already so thankful for my son. Yet, we are continuing to try for another baby because I would love a big family, and we are too young to give up. Also, the doctors have blamed our miscarriages on 'bad luck', no medical reason.
I somehow feel that I should involve God more in our trying for another baby, but like I said... I don't know what to pray. I only whisper to God sometimes: father I am so scared... I would rather never get pregnant anymore, then to loose yet another baby. Please have mercy. But then at the same time I know that if I say: God, I cannot handle another miscarriage.... that that's not true. I would be able to handle that. I can handly anything... because God is on my side. So then I'm quiet again... and try to receive some understanding from God in this matter...

I guess most of all I'm scared to be disappointed. My mind is exausted from all the emotions I have gone through the past few months and I'm too exhausted to pray. At the moment I feel like I'm just lying at God's feet, flat out tired, to tired to cry, and saying: Father... guide me, help me, help me accept Your path for me.

Yet God asks us to pray. I just don't know what...

[Gentletouch]

Hi Sky. Thank you for sharing your painful experiences. You did not loss any of them. Fetus who already have life will live eternally. You will see them in heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3: 11(NIV)
"HE had made everything beautiful in its time. HE also set eternity in the hearts of men. Yet they cannot fathom what GOD has done from the beginning to the end."

People have eternity as GOD sets in the hearts of men. But we do not know what will be the future of anyone in life. Only GOD holds the future. I hope the following verses will comfort you.

Isaiah 57: 1, KJV

1 The righteous perisheth,
And no man layeth it to heart;
Merciful men are taken away,
None considering that the righteous is taken away
from evil to come.

GOD has provided as with prayers of victory in Matthew 16:19; 18:18 and JESUS CHRIST gave a dear price so that we will have the keys of the kingdom and that is another prayer principle. Let me check if it is under "Care to Know (General Discussion).

Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

Sky, I would recommend to you to read first the first page of "Care to Know under General Discussion" and tell me if it had helped you get the power to see GOD's will to become pregnant. Of course we asked but as I said in the beginning GOD will give you what you desire according to HIS will. But there must be words that must be put down to see clearly the will of GOD. We call them strongholds. It's in the binding and loosing prayers.

Here's some of the strongholds:

Wrong Patterns of Thinking -

(included in this category are self-hatred, a sense of personal worthlessness, self-
deception, and self destructiveness) The act of thinking is how we form our thoughts in our mind.
When a mind set
(pattern of thinking) gets locked into place in our minds because of an association with an emotional experience, any
thoughts coming out of the pattern (mindset/mold) will be rigidly formed in the same way every time.
For example, most
of us know someone who is so sensitive that he or she is offended by nearly everyone. This person has a mind set that
whatever is being said must be a put down.
Another example would be someone who may have been badly bitten or
even mauled by a dog who would panic at the sight of a Chihuahua because there is only one pattern of thinking or
mold a dog fits into in their minds.
You cannot loose the fact of the original trauma or abuse, but you can peel (loose)
off the multiple layers that keep it from being exposed to God's healing and renewal.

More:

Wrong Ideas -
Your ideas are the representation of your thoughts on a given subject. The Word of God speaks
clearly of the need for casting down evil imaginations and every high thing that would exalt itself against the knowledge
of God so that we can bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
When we pray and loose all wrong
ideas in our souls, we are shattering, smashing, and dissolving evil imaginations, wrong theories, reasonings and
thoughts;
and tearing down proud, lofty, and high pretensions that set themselves up to oppose our further knowledge
of God.

Wrong Desires -
Webster defines desire as a conscious impulse toward an object or experience that promises
enjoyment or satisfaction when it is attained.
Desire can be a right longing for something good such as deeper
relationship with Jesus Christ, marriage (as long as God is allowed to bring the mate and the timing), etc.
A wrong
desire can be covetousness, self-gratification, or self-indulgence. Wrong desires generally come from an inner drive to
satisfy an unmet need that has been in your life for a long time, even from childhood.
The acting out of a need is often
perceived and verbally labeled as a weakness of character or personal failing. The needy person begins to see their
unmet needs as failures and weaknesses rather than needs the Lord wants to meet.
This causes the needy person to
build strongholds around the needs, hoping to hide them from others. Wrong desires have the potential to escalate
into forceful, destructive drives that aggressively demand fulfillment and lead to much grief and sorrow (stealing, lying,
adultery, etc).
You cannot loose unmet need, but you can loose the wrong desires that have come out of it and the
strongholds that defend their right to exist.

Wrong Beliefs -
A belief is the mental acceptance of something that appears to be deserving of confidence and trust.
But even a Christian's mind, if it has not been stripped of strongholds, can place great confidence and trust in wrong
beliefs, turning them into distorted perceptions. Loosing wrong beliefs does not mean they will automatically disappear,
but they will no longer be able to hide from you or deceive you.
When you loose and reject wrong beliefs, you enlarge
your capacity to receive and know truth that will set you free.
Bind yourself to the truth, and then loose any deceptions
the enemy has brought to you, all wrong beliefs and any strongholds associated with them.

We will discuss some areas you do not understand about the strongholds then I will help you construct a prayer that you can pray through when you are persuaded in your heart that "Yes, that's what I desire according to GOD's will".

After that we will ressume the study on the Principles of Prayers. I am reposting them for the sake of the new comers.

Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

Sky, I hear you what you and your heart is saying and yearning. I will quote what you said and make comments on them then pray with you and for you.

First let me point out that although I feel very sad, a little depressed even maybe... I don't feel anger towards God. There are a million things I don't understand about life with God, but I guess some things just happen. I know that God is my Father, that when I cry, He cries with me.

You are not alone. I cried to GOD many times too and argue with HIM. Because I felt I had lived my life, had done so many varied ministries and still on it, and living in a constant trials and sufferings from the persecutors since 1990, I felt that I am ready to go home. Recently was this:
I loved flower plants and since there was a big sales of flower plants at Zellers Store from $12.99 down to $7.99 I bought three plants to enjoy this summer. When I went home, my widow Anglican neighbor who is a minister and a member of this mean organization asked me to give him one pot but I told him instead where I bought it and how cheap it is. He said something about having bronchitis but he is up going places with his lady friend and have his car. We all lived in a Senior's Residence 2 miles away from Zeller's store. My friend helped me to get my plants. He could easily get his plants but see, he wanted my plant I guess like king David in relation with Barsheba and prophet Nathan condemning his action. Somehow, the HS convicted me so I knocked at his door to offer to buy for him if he will give me the money but there was no answer. Three days after one of my flower plants was dead and the other was also almost dying. I had given one of my plants away to someone who helped me a lot which is very green and alive. This incident is only one of those I go through everyday. Many times, I cried to GOD and asked HIM why I have to go through so much when I have not done anything bad to anyone. I know it's not HIM who caused the problem and I just posted in the Meditations for the Quiet Hours that many times our sufferings bring a sweet fragrance that GOD loves to smell.

I could be happy should no other children come into my family. I would need time to adjust to the thought, and would need to time to accept it, but I am already so thankful for my son. Yet, we are continuing to try for another baby because I would love a big family, and we are too young to give up. Also, the doctors have blamed our miscarriages on 'bad luck', no medical reason.

John 10:10 Says, the enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy, but JESUS came that we might have life and have it abundantly.
This is so true when the circumstances is beyond the explanation and evaluation of people good in the field like doctors who cannot explain the reason why it is happening with you because you are healthy and your reproductive organs are not sick, the devils might be involved as told to Dr. Brown whom GOD called to battle against the evil ones. She is Medical doctor who emphasized these conditions in her book "HE came to set us free".

I somehow feel that I should involve God more in our trying for another baby, but like I said... I don't know what to pray. I only whisper to God sometimes: father I am so scared... I would rather never get pregnant anymore, then to loose yet another baby. Please have mercy. But then at the same time I know that if I say: God, I cannot handle another miscarriage.... that that's not true. I would be able to handle that. I can handly anything... because God is on my side. So then I'm quiet again... and try to receive some understanding from God in this matter...

I can understand what you mean and it was in Philippians chapter 4 that encouraged us to dwell our minds on something good (v.8 ) and in everything give thanks to GOD and involved GOD in everything we do in life so that the peace of GOD will possess our hearts and not fear to pray again and ask HIM what good thing we desire from GOD. All good gifts are from GOD including children so that as we can pray in confidence and expectation. We can live our life in worship and praises of HIS good works in us as we fully put our trust in HIM. In heaven's economy, you have three children. Two already in heaven you will meet when you reach there and one with you. The next one who will be alive and join your another child here will be your 4th child, that is the child we will ask HIM according to HIS will.

I guess most of all I'm scared to be disappointed. My mind is exausted from all the emotions I have gone through the past few months and I'm too exhausted to pray. At the moment I feel like I'm just lying at God's feet, flat out tired, to tired to cry, and saying: Father... guide me, help me, help me accept Your path for me.

We will pray together with expectation. I would not pray if I cannot expect anything from HIM. But since the doctor say he does not know the reason why you cannot have another healthy pregnancy and baby because everything within you is healthy and normal, then it's up to GOD to get the keys from Satan and once again hand them to us to use it in the battle. When we do not use HIS Word in the battle, the devil will trick us, deceive us, scare us until we cower in the corner crying pitifully for HIS help. And HIS heart is crushed and broken when the devil treat us so badly that we are too tired to pray to HIM. This is the reason why GOD had raised ministries like we have here in CWT with all our godly ladies, godly Directors, managers, Coordinators, Mentors and Supporters so that HIS kingdom can go forward, and we can comfort and encourage each other and I would like to encourage you to support the management and Christian Ministries with your prayers. We might even have ministers and Pastors involve in this ministry. It's only when we reached such a situation as yours can we appreciate what GOD kingdom is all about. So in the following post, I will pray for you and with you and guide you how to use the binding and loosing and you can add whatever you have in your heart as you pray, sky, ok?

GOD bless you sister.

Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

Sky, I would like to share to you some Bible verses before we pray.

Children Are A Gift From God Bible Verses

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.(Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)


And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”(Genesis 33:5 ESV)


He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD! (Psalms 113:9 Holy Bible ESV)


Children Can Be Saved By God Bible Verses

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 3:14-15 Holy Bible ESV)


I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure,
dwells in you as well.(2 Timothy 1:5 ESV)


Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

Sky, in many occasion, I had stand in proxy for someone, even a pastor to ask something from GOD and GOD graciously granted them according to HIS will because HE is a good GOD and I will to that for you then you can take over after I'm done and press on praying like what prevail have encouraged us to do till you get what you desire from GOD then release it all to HIM.

"FATHER, I stand in proxy for my sister Sky. You know how much the enemy had bothered her and her husband regarding the babies they were expecting only to be taken by the evil one who had come to steal, kill and destroy. FATHER, in JESUS name, once again I would like to plea for a gift from YOU, a beautiful healthy baby that will be a playmate for my dear son that YOU gave us because YOU love us and would like us to be happier with another gift from YOU because YOUR will for us is abundant life. A baby sister or a baby brother would make my son happy too dear GOD, so LORD once again I left my right hand with my left hand on my abdomen to receive the gift that YOU are putting in my womb as a reward for praying, seeking YOUR face and putting my trust to YOU that a beautiful baby will be possible according to YOUR will.
FATHER, Mark 11:24 says that:
"Therefore I say unto you. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them"

so FATHER, I receive YOUR beautiful gift for me, for my husband and my son to make us happy and I will be more happy because YOU confirmed YOUR word to me, YOUR promises to me so that we will be encouraged in our faith unto YOU and that we know that our victory is in YOU. From this situation, YOU have made us grow in our confidence and trust unto YOU. FATHER, I loose from me all kinds of fear except the fear of the LORD which is the beginning of wisdom. I loose from me unbelief LORD that YOU might not like to give me a child which is a lie from the enemy. I loose from me all the destructive works of the evil one, even from my body, soul and spirit. I bind my body, soul and spirit to the will and purposes of GOD for my life. I bind myself to YOUR truth. In your Word YOU said blessed are those men filled with quiver with them and I know LORD that I am blessed ever since YOU saved me, so LORD I believe of YOUR love towards us, help and forgive my unbelief. I am sorry of my sins LORD. Cleanse me LORD from all my unrighteousness and prepare me and my household to receive the beautiful gift that YOU have for us LORD. We are counting on YOUR sovereignty for our future child and our eyes are on YOU. Thank YOU LORD for YOUR kingdom going forward through the works of YOUR HS and through the accomplished works of YOUR son JESUS CHRIST on Calvary, in JESUS name, I pray, amen."

Now I give this prayer to you as your own. Join me to believe that your son is going to have a playmate from your womb according to GOD's will.

There you go sky. I would recommend for you to take hold what it means "to prevail" in your prayer till the answer comes. When we see GOD's works in our lives, when GOD answers our prayers, when GOD perform HIS miracles, when things happen just like what HIS word says, then we will never be the same. We will become strong in our faith which is GOD's main purpose why things sometimes do not come as easy and fast as we expect. It will defeat GOD's purpose to grow us and make us strong if w2e get right away what we want every time we pray. You will see that your experience of miscarriages twice were blessings. That's when we will understand why HIS Word encourages us to thank HIM and praise HIM in all things, even in our trials and sufferings.

GOD bless you sky and your family. GOD loves you and I love you as my sister in the LORD.

Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

The Need To Travail




What is travail? It’s physical or mental hardship; pain and suffering; the pain and labor involved in childbirth. Defined by New Webster Dictionary of the English Language. In prayer there are three basic facts that will answer what travail is all about.

1. Travail is the dying part of the prayer.
An expectant mother often times is at the brink of death during childbirth. The pain is such that even modern medications may fail to relieve all of it and the labor is actually very hard work. This pain is necessary and might be labeled the ‘dying part’ of a mother’s experience. Only as she willingly suffers and works can new life come forth.

2. Travail is the energy put into our prayer.
God does not hear us because of the length of our prayer, but because of the sincerity of it. Prayer is not to be measured by the yard, nor weighed by the pound. It is the might and force of it- the truth and reality of it- the energy and the intensity of it. Travail, then, is the might and force of our prayer. It concerns the intensity with which we pray.

3. Travail is the depth of desire in prayer.
The Master of all prayer said, “what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24). Desire is paramount to powerful praying. James later declares, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.”(James 4:3) Perhaps we could paraphrase this, “Ye have not because ye want not.” The fact is, unless we want a thing, we will do nothing to acquire that thing. Further, the more desire we have for this want the more intensity will manifest itself as we have for want, the more intensity will manifest itself as we seek fulfillment of this want. E. B. Bounds said that “desire is not merely a simple wish but a deep-seated craving. It is an intense longing for attainment.” Desire precedes prayer, accompanies it, is followed by it. Prayer is really but oral expression of desire. The deeper the desire, the stronger the prayer. Only prayers which are meant with all the heart and soul are really answered.

(The Literature World Crusade)

Gentletouch

[sky]

Dear Gentletouch,
Thank you so much for your words and your prayers, for the time spent on answering my post. It is amazing to me that you would do all that for someone you don't know and have never seen. I feel you have much Godly wisdom, and a close walk with the Lord.

This morning I took a pregnancy test and believe it or not... there were the two pink lines. I think that this past week I have been so emotional because deep down inside I knew I was pregnant again.

All day long I have been blasting out Praise music from my CD player, refusing to feel scared. I know I need to take this process of the coming days, weeks, months one day at a time, closely with my Lord. Thank for the prayer you wrote down for me.

Doubt creeps in my mind, and scary thoughts... memories of stories I have once read of women having had three miscarriages..four even...

I need to choose to believe that this baby will live with me on earth. If I don't believe that now, it is too hard for me to get through the days.

Thank for thinking of me, and praying for me. My hubby and little boy and me are going on a long holiday this week, I'm really looking forward to that!

Thanks and love from Sky

[Gentletouch]

FATHER, we thank YOU that once again YOU show to Sky that YOU are the giver of all good things and we commit this little gift that YOU have given Sky, her husband and her little boy. LORD, we thank YOU that YOU are able to finish what YOU have started even the baby in her womb. We bind that baby to YOUR word in Psalm 139. FATHER, we entrust this little one in Sky womb to YOUR hands for safe keeping to the day that this little one will come out to the world to be a member of Sky's family. FATHER, we stand in YOUR Word in Matthew 16:19; 18:18 that whatsoever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatsoever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. FATHER, I bind Sky's mind to the mind of CHRIST so that she will completely put her eyes on YOU all the time. I bind her body, soul and spirit to the will and purposes of GOD for her life so with, with this little one in her womb, her husband and their son to the will and purposes of GOD for their lives. FATHER, I loose from Sky all kinds of fear except the fear of the LORD which is the beginning of wisdom. I loose from her the memory of the past miscarriages. I pray LORD that she would always remember that she did not loss her two babies but in your plan YOU chose to take care of them for her in heaven and spare them from the evil days on earth that we do not know but YOU know (Isaiah 57:1). FATHER, I loose from Sky the feeling of being scared of her present pregnancy. I pray LORD that it would be replaced with that memory of pregnancy with her boy and that she will always be happy and expect the coming of the baby. I loose, I cut, I sever, I demolish and destroy the power and the effect of harsh word, hard word, word curses from the word "miscarriage" and those doubts from her that she spoke about. I pray LORD that the words "delivered a beautiful baby" will replace the word 'miscarriage' from this day onward. FATHER, I pray that we will always remember what you said in Psalm 103: 11-14 NKJV

Psalm 103:10-13 (New King James Version)

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

LORD, thank YOU that YOU love Sky and her family so much and YOU are merciful to them and YOU pity them like their parents pity them when they were young and they were hurting. YOU made it clear that YOU felt that way too, so LORD as their parents would give them any reasonable and justified request, YOU made it clear that YOU will do the same. SO LORD, we are putting our trust on YOU for this growing baby in the womb. I pray that YOU will make this little one strong, healthy and beautiful, being YOUR gift and YOUR masterpiece.

Thank YOU FATHER for YOUR tender mercies to Sky and her family. Thank YOU again for that beautiful healthy baby coming. Please surround Sky with YOUR love and YOUR peace so with her husband. I pray LORD that the peace of the LORD will possess their hearts so that they may praise YOU every day as they wait for the little one. In JESUS name, we pray amen."

Sky, we are one big family before GOD and all of us minister to each other and tried to live what GOD's word say, to carry each other's burden. To rejoice w/ one who rejoice, cry w/ someone crying and pray for someone's needs. You do not know me now but we will meet each other in heaven and that we will have a grand reunion for cwt sisters w/ their families, and managers and directors of this website. I am very much looking forward to it when we can gather in the presence of the Holy Trinity and thank them all for their loving kindness to us.... WoW !!! that would be so awesome!

Looking forward to meet your big family in heaven.

Enjoy your vacation. If you are driving, drive safely.
GOD bless you and yours.

Numbers 6:24-26 (New King James Version)

24 “The LORD bless you and keep you;

25 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;

26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’

Gentletouch

[Gentletouch]

Dangers Ahead on Divine Guidance
Like the hindrances that clutter prayer’s path to power, the road of divine guidance is marked with obstacles that obstruct the way. Only by recognizing these dangers, and dealing with them swiftly, can we be assured that a particular directive received is really from God.

1. To assume all guidance comes from God.
Because there are 3 potential voices a child of God can hear, and since only one can be the voice of God, there is statistically a 2/3rds chance that any direction received by hearing an inner voice might not be from God. As Jessie Penn-Lewis suggests, “always recognize that God has his will for you, and the devil has a will for you, and you have also your own will. Because of this, Satan will constantly thrust, thoughts contrary to God’s will in the direction of the believers mind. We must be careful to remember that not every messenger to the mind has been sent by God.

2. To think God only uses spectacular means in guidance
Unfortunately, some Christians have been convinced that all true guidance only comes through unusual means. These persons will not act until they’ve had vision, talked to an angel, or experienced these spectacular forms of guidance, they seldom act. Their laziness or lack of action is justified by the statement, “God hasn’t spoken to me yet. Though we caution believers not to assume all true guidance demands a spectacular vehicle to reveal it, yet God is still sovereign in His dealings. A sovereign God has the right to speak in any manner He chooses. Visions, dreams, angels, and voices on some occasions may well be His choices when dealing with some of His children. A good motto to follow in this entire matter is “ Let God be God”

3. To have all guidance on fleeces.
About the classic account of Gideon, it was God’s plan to use the weakest vessel in the whole Israel. To be certain that God was leading him, Gideon decided to put a “fleece” before the Lord, (Judges 6: 36, 37). In examining the verses, we note that Gideon twice declared, clearly concerning Gideon’s future. But, because Gideon doubted the call, he wanted to put a test before God. It was simply a lack of trust that prompted Gideon in this matter. But God was with Gideon just as He is with us today. A lesson is left for all who would seek guidance from God by the means of using fleeces. In many cases we put a fleece before God because we do not trust Him. Further, an especially great danger in this matter concerns “self” entering into the fleece. We tend to make the fleece rather easy if we want a particular thing and difficult if we are afraid of a particular course of action. Using fleeces is not the best way to receive or confirm divine guidance. GOD’S WORD IS.


4. To treat voices and visions above the word.
There will be Christians who will elaborate the spectacular aspects of divine guidance above the Word of God. Nothing obscuring the path of God could be more dangerous. John Wesley warns: “Do not hastily ascribe things to God. Do not easily suppose dreams, voices, impressions, visions or revelations to be from God. They maybe from Him, they maybe from nature, they maybe from the devil. Therefore, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be from God. Satan knows that without a foundation in God’s Word, he can ultimately deceive us.

5. To misunderstand circumstances in relationship to guidance.
Circumstances, as suggested, are sometimes an important factor in seeking guidance, though they can be misleading. Many times we misinterpreted circumstances 4 ways according to our predisposition.
(a.”God is putting me through a test.”
(b.“I am being punished for my disobedience.”
(c.“The devil is after me.”
(d. “I am being persecuted for righteousness sake.”
The danger in too “circumstances conscious” occurs when we fail to understand God uses just such circumstances to help us mature. Like the disciples who were commanded to go to Galilee by boat. When they were near the middle of the sea, a great storm approached, tossing the boat like a feather in the wind. Some disciples thought inwardly why Jesus sent them into the storm. Jesus Appeared on the water to teach the disciples that He has power in a supernatural way. Matthew 14: 22-25. Jesus who “knew all things”surely realized a storm was brewing. Indeed, there is little doubt He purposely sent them into the storm. It also important to remember God uses many difficult circumstances to reveal Himself. This is His way to mature His children. He doesn’t take away the storm; He walks with us through the storm.

6.To rule out any need for divine guidance.
There is this final danger concerning this matter of seeking guidance. Perhaps it is the greatest danger of all because it is the most subtle. Of those obstacles along the path to finding God’s will. These are those Christians who feel far removed from any need to hear God speak. They are quite content to remain “rather independent” when it comes to spiritual things. Without realizing it, however, their Christian life is slowly becoming directionless. More and more, they miss the mark spiritually. Or, as one writer suggests, they miss the mark because they don’t know what the mark is. They are like the man who jumps in the taxi yelling, “Take me there”. No Christian can function without God’s help. This is why this whole matter of prayer, as well as divine guidance, is so essential, not only to our personal spiritual growth but to the salvation of the world. The student of prayer has the greatest, most meaningful field of service anyone could be given.

(The Literature World Crusade)

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[Gentletouch]

The Necessity of Faith

A person’s prayer life is only as strong as that person’s faith in God. Because faith is essential to the only kind of prayer God answers---believing prayer- we will examine numerous facts about faith, including several “faith-killers” that drains faith of its power.

1. Faith is forerunner to all answered prayer.
Prior to the quadrennial Olympic Games, when nations of the world gather for the athletic competition, a torch is carried by various athletes from Greece, where the games began, to the current country hosting the event. The torch becomes a forerunner for what is to come. In regard to prayer, faith is that torch that must go before each petition. E.M.Bounds explained: “before prayer starts toward God, before its petition is preferred, before its requests are made known – faith must have gone ahead. It must have asserted its belief in the existence of God: must have given its assent to the gracious truth that ‘God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek His face.’ (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith it is not only impossible to please God but it is also impossible to approach God.

2. Faith is essentially trusting God.
A wise Preacher said “Trust always operates in the present tense. Hope looks forward to the future. Trust looks to the present. Hope expects. Trust possesses. Trust receives what prayer acquires. Webster defines faith as trust in the honesty and truth of another. We must believe that God is honest in His promises and therefore will bring to pass. Faith is present tense confidence.

3. Faith is a readily available power source.
Pastor Bisagno said: “Don’t get the idea that if you can only muster more faith, you will be more effective in prayer. Faith is not some mysterious commodity to be sought after. You do not need more faith: you need to appropriate the faith you already have.” As amazing as it seems, every one has the power to believe in God. No one is incapable of believing, for all have faith resident in them to God. Paul in Romans, “God had given the measure of faith to everyone.” Romans 12:3. If we take it literally, it would seem to suggest every person have exactly the right amount of faith for any circumstances; all he has to do is draw on it.


4. Faith is stepping out in advance for an answer.
Faith comes by a willingness to act on God’s word with total abandonment. Peter provides a powerful example. He was willing to act on the single word of Jesus: “come.” (Mark 6:50). It was only one word, but when Peter obeyed he was able to walk on the water. God is waiting for a faith that launches out even when no answer is in view. “When we pray for the rain, we should get our umbrellas ready. When we pray for God’s power get ready to act. When we pray for our loved ones outside of Christ, we should expect them to come to Christ.

5. Faith is to expect a miracle.
Anytime God answers prayer a miracle takes place. Thus, to believe God answers prayer is to believe in miracles. Miracles are essential to faith and faith is essential to miracles. True faith always expects miracles. Evangelist Kenyon suggests “The instant that you say there are no miracles in this dispensation (dealing out), you deny that our walk is a walk of faith, and you declare that our walk is a walk of reason. There is no place in the Bible where believers have to walk by reason. God is a faith God. We are faith family. We are all born by faith. By faith we live and have our being in faith. If there are no miracles, then there is no reason for faith.

6. Faith is increase by God’s word and prayer.
God’s word is vital to powerful praying. Prayer, faith and the word are directly related. His word produces faith and faith provides power for prayer. They strengthen one another. We cannot sit with the God of all faith, one half hour each day without breathing in the faith of God. Virginia Whitman suggests, “Faith is the bucket of power lowered by the rope of prayer into the well of God’s abundance. What we bring up depends upon what we let down. We have every encouragement to use a big bucket.”

7. Faith is the realm of power beyond the wilderness of reason.
“Satan has full power to successfully attack our reason, provided we let Him. However, when faith takes over reason’s throne, Satan has no power. Faith will lead you where reason cannot walk. Reason has never been a mountain climber.”
By Kenyon

8. Faith is learning to ask largely.
A person who has learned to pray the prayer of faith has learned to depend much on God and ask much of God. A soldier in Alexander the Great’s army greatly pleased the ruler and was informed he could ask any sum of money of the king. When he brought his request, however, the demand was such that Alexander’s Treasurer refused to pay it. When Alexander was finally consulted, he replied “He knows how great Alexander is, and he has asked the king; let him have what he requests.” The prayer warrior must never be afraid to pray great prayers. No individual could possibly think of a prayer so vast that God, in answering it would have any difficulty whatsoever. We must develop a habit of thinking big things when we pray. One writer suggests that we learn to use words that cause our spirits to react as conquerors. Conquerors think in terms of conquering nations and continents, not a village here and town there.

9. Faith is a bold confidence in God.
From the dawn of creation, man was made to be confident creature. The authors of “Prayer Can Change Your Life” reminds us that God’s children do not crawl on the face of the earth! They walk and have been given dominion. Concerning this dominion, the author exclaimed, “then let us dare to take it, to fulfill His purpose by exercising this dominion over ourselves, over our environment, but let us be humble. Hebrews 4: 16 says we must come boldly with our petition. There is no merit in timidity where prayer is involved. Timidity and reverence are not synonymous. Some of the finest saints in the Bible prayed with boldness, almost brashness.


(The World Literature Crusade)

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