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Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Will You Pray For Me?

As I was washing laundry early one morning, I started thinking about how many times people would ask me to pray for them and I would say no problem. However, it was a problem as I would become so consumed with my own life and with the things that I was doing that I totally forgot to pray for that person's situation. The truth is all too often we are so busy with our own day to day operations that we may forget to pray for someone else who may be in need. When you make a promise to pray for someone you are committing yourself to agreeing with that person that the Creator will change that person's situations. Well if you do not know what to pray for then how can you pray for that person?

Generic prayers are cute and dandy as they cover the surface of a person's needs. Yet when you take the time out to find out what the person needs prayer for you are able to pray specifically to the Creator on how to intervene on that person's behalf. What good is it to pray a generic prayer for a person to have financial blessings when that person does not have a job? Rather than asking the Creator to provide that person with financial blessings, pray that the Creator will provide the person with a job that will fit the person's individual skills, will have the right interviewer who will see the person beyond the resume, pay all of the bills on time, and always have money left in the bank account to help someone else. You see when you pray and come into agreement with the person who asked you to pray for them or with them, the Creator specifically knows that when there are two or more individuals coming together in agreement those changes can be made as there is unity in communal prayer.

It is so awesome to know that your prayers for someone else can make a difference not only in that person's life but your own as well as when you take the time to pray for one person that person will take the time to pray for you. One strategy I am learning to use when people ask me to pray for them is to ask them if they have time right now for prayer. That way the need is still fresh in my mind and it is less difficult for me to forget about praying if the person is on the phone or right there in front of me. You would be surprised how many times that I have prayed for a situation for someone and the next day or following week the Creator intervened within that person's life far beyond what either parties would have ever imagined. The best prayers are the on time prayers!

So the next time someone asks you to pray for them make sure you have a firm grasp for the need. Then take a few minutes just to say a prayer for them. You do not have to say a 10 hour prayer to be heard by the Creator. I have personally found that the best prayers are short, sweet, and to the point. Why you might ask? Your focus is on the other person's needs and not on your own. Make the time today to commit to yourself that when someone asks you to pray for them you will do it TODAY and not wait till tomorrow or forget about it completely as if you wait, your prayers may be too late.

Sister April Lisbon-Peoples, I thank you so much for opening my eyes to better praying commitment in my everyday prayers.

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Sister April Lisbon-Peoples is a growth and development coach who enjoys inspiring her clients to find their life's purpose through becoming visionaries. She is the founder and CEO of Running Your Race, a coaching practice designed for individuals who are ready to awaken their visions and create their destiny.

April has written various articles focusing on elevating and motivating people as they aim towards reaching their highest potential. She aspires to help her clients live their dreams while gaining and maintaining a level of healthy success. So if you are ready to fly like the eagles and see your vision come to past, then visit her at [http://www.creatingmyvision.com] or e-mail her at creatingvision@gmail.com

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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.