I was just sending a message to someone about the fact that one of my retired doctors is battling covid and it's complications. As I finished the message, I typed "They welcome prayer". And it hit me. What a wonderful thing to welcome prayer!
Mr. Webster describes the word "welcome" as "to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of".
This past week has been one of many instances that I have found myself often in my "prayer closet". I've struggled, uh huh, I've struggled with how prayer works. I have finally determined that my heavenly Father likes me to talk to him in prayer. It draws me closer to HIM and, if I pray with faith, I can know with assurance that He will provide. He's proved it o'er and o'er and o'er. Yes, HE welcomes MY prayer.
I know, too that many times I have asked folks to pray for needs I have. Many times, I've kept needs to myself and prayed myself. Like my daddy once said, "If I pray for myself, I know it's done." And yes that's true but I have learned that others entreating on my behalf is not a bad thing.
This post idea was so sudden, I haven't researched Bible verses but I know there are many. The current one on my email page is "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Then there's that good one of "pray without ceasing" (shoutout to my good Methodist "pray without ceasing friend"!). There's "praying always with prayer and supplication in the Spirit" and "men ought always to pray". I must mention the one I look at on the wall behind my computer which I guess could be one of my most favorites of all...."Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Amen! I really love that!
So I ask you to consider joining me to welcome prayer. Welcome the honor of praying for others and welcome the honor of others praying for you. Most of all welcome the blessing of your own direct prayer line to your heavenly Father!
I am reminded of a song I had heard regularly as a child and as a child I thought it was a fun church song. It is called "The Royal Telephone"--gotta love the name! You may be an oldster and remember it and you may be a youngster and think I'm weird. Some of the words go like this:
Central's never busy always on the line. You may hear from heaven almost any time. Tis a royal service, free for one and all--when you get in trouble, give this royal line a call.
Telephone to glory, O what joy divine! I can feel the current moving on the line; Built by God the Father for his loved and own. We may talk to Jesus thru this royal telephone.
There will be no charges, telephone is free. It was built for service just for you and me. There will be no waiting on this royal line--telephone to glory, always answers just in time.
Fail to get an answer? Satan's crossed your wire by some strong delusion or some base desire. Take away obstructions--God is on the throne--And you'll get the answer thru the royal telephone.
Carnal combinations cannot get control of this line to glory, anchored in the soul. Storm and trial cannot disconnect the line, held in constant keeping by the Father's hand divine.
That has a nice RING to it, doesn't it?!
No comments:
Post a Comment