Episode Description

Join us in prayer as we pursue peace through intercession for God’s people, using powerful passages from Romans 14 and 15.

Prayer Focus

* Peace - Building harmony in the body of Christ

* Endurance - Strength to persevere in faith

* Unity - Oneness among believers

* Joy, Peace & Hope - Overflowing in God’s abundance

We sit quietly at your feet and look to you, Father, coming to you with cares and worries and requests and casting them all on you with thanksgiving, for you care for us…knowing that you are the uncreated maker of heaven and earth and you oversee all things and all the affairs of all the creation for all of your dear children.

Scripture References

* Romans 14:19

* Romans 15:5-6

* Romans 15:7

* Romans 15:13

Add your Prayer or Amen

One quiet night long ago, humble shepherds tending their flocks were the first to hear the glad tidings of great joy. Angels suddenly appeared in the sky to herald the good news of a Child lying in a manger, the Savior who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:9-11)

Then after the angels sang and left, the shepherds went to see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to them.

Can you imagine? The announcement of the Word became flesh and dwelling among us is first told in the countryside to poor shepherds. The Good Shepherd of all was first seen by those herding sheep. The Lamb of God visited first by ones tending the lambs.

And what did they do?

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18

Let’s pray this same news spread far and wide this Christmas season! Pray for the message of Christ to be heard all across the land! Ask for those who believe be like these herdsmen and proclaim His coming widely known!

You see: Many are those who disbelieve because they have never truly heard the good news, only about it. Many others misbelieve because what they have heard about Jesus is twisted myth not Truth.

Plenty of well intentioned people will get all caught up the festivities of the holiday. There will be parties for toasting, marshmallows for roasting and caroling out in the snow. All well and good, but void of the real reason Jesus came. He was born in a manger to bear a cross—for us!

Hallelujah, Amen

Here are 7 Prayers for Salvation of Unbelievers

* Pray the Word of the Lord run swiftly and be glorified - 2 Thessalonians 3:1, we pray the Good News would travel across the land, to every town, church, street and house; that as it does, it would be light in the darkness.

* Pray for ears to hear the message of the angels, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God - Romans 10:17, we pray for the Gospel to be heard by those whose hearts are hardened to it.

* Pray for open doors - Colossians 4:3, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ…so we knock in order that the door would be opened to us.

* Pray that words may be given us, that we would speak as we ought to about Jesus - Ephesians 6:19, for opening our mouth to boldly make known the mystery of the gospel as Paul prayed.

* Pray for harvesters sent to the harvest field - Luke 10:2, for the harvest is great but there are few harvesters, so pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

* Pray saving faith be given - Ephesians 2:8, that by grace they would be saved through faith, and that not of themselves; it is the gift of God. We ask for the Good Gift of God be given.

* Pray that God would grant them repentance - 2 Timothy 2:25-26, so that they may know the Truth and come to their senses. May this repentance lead to understanding the truth of the gospel so they escape the snare of the devil.

This season, if we would pray and make widely known what we have seen and heard, then many-many more will marvel in our day. Make this Christmas be one in which those around us become “born again” with the realization of Jesus and the real reason He was born, that He is a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

How many would come to know the Lord this season? And to God be the glory, Amen!

Prayer Notes:

* Psalm 107:32 - Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.

* Psalm 111:1 - Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

* Psalm 34:9 - Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.

* Colossians 4: 2-4 - 2 Devote yourselves [persist] to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth [proclaim] the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.

* Acts 14:27 - When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

* 1 Corinthians 16: 9 - because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

* Jeremiah 17:7-8 - 7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. 8 He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

* John 14:27 - eace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

All Scripture from Berean Standard Bible

If we audited our prayers, what would they sound like?

Back in my radio days, we’d tape ourselves on air. It was a scoped session of when our microphone was on, and we listened back to review. Then our boss or consultant would listen with us. These “air-checks” usually involved finding things we did wrong or needed to improve on.

It was either humbling or encouraging (usually both), but necessary to help us get better. Athletes watch tape of their performance to do the same, public speakers watch videos of their speeches to see ways to improve.

What would a review of our prayers reveal to us?

I imagine we’d be pretty surprised to hear how often we pray from wrong desires.

(James 4:1-3)

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?

Conflict with others (and in ourselves) comes from desire – a wanting of something we do not have. Someone has what we covet (breaking the 10th Commandment) and yet we want so much we plot and scheme to win it, steal it, or take it by force.

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.

We are certainly at war within ourselves -- the lusts of the flesh and desires for pleasure are warring within us. Often we believe we will be satisfied when we get something we want. But coveting will inevitably lead to conflict.

Why don’t we get what we desire?

Yet you do not have because you do not ask, says James.

You do not have. For all of our desiring, striving, and plotting, we do not have. Or what we do have doesn’t satisfy, and we want more. “The whole history of mankind shows the failure of evil lusting to obtain their object.” (Spurgeon)

You do not ask. We want, but fail to go to the Father. Instead, we rely on means rather than prayer. We must remember God does not give unless we ask. And if we have only a little bit of God, likely it is because we have asked little.

“Remember this text: The Lord says to his own Son, ‘Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.’ If the royal and divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that he may have, you and I cannot expect the rule to be relaxed in our favor. Why should it be?” (Spurgeon)

This is how vital prayer is! We get nothing without praying and get everything by it.

But when we do pray, we can ask with wrong motives.

We may indeed ask Father, but James says You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

You do not receive. Believers ask God, but we don’t get because we ask with wrong motives. Asking always for things we covet is selfish praying. My child asks for a cookie, not because he is hungry for nutrition, but desires a treat.

What do you ask? Something to make life a bit easier, a bit better, a bit less painful? Aren’t these what those in the world also strive for? Do you desire a bigger house, nicer car, more health, better looks, an easier time at work, more respect, love, peace, and so on? Is your asking really just to get ahead in the world, or at least keep up with the neighbors?

“When a man so prays he asks God to be his servant, and gratify his desires; nay, worse than that, he wants God to join him in the service of his lusts. He will gratify his lusts, and God shall come and help him to do it. Such prayer is blasphemous, but a large quantity of it is offered, and it must be one of the most God-provoking things that heaven ever beholds.” (Spurgeon)

Here’s the thing: We are not praying to get God to do our bidding – no, it is to get ourselves aligned rightly with His word, will and ways. If we ask amiss (or wrongly, with wrong motives in some versions) we only want what will give us pleasure, to spend it on our passions or waste it on our desires.

This is similar to the squandering of the Prodigal son.

What are we supposed do instead to pray aright?

Listen to Jesus:

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 NKJV

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22 NKJV

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 NKJV

In short: we pray the Word.

Praying isn’t just asking God for what we want or need. We seek to pray the will of God—for ourselves and His people. Using promises contained in His Word, we pray these back to God, asking Him to fulfill His own Word:

That His kingdom come, and His will be done...that we be mature and standing firm in all the will of God...that we be alert, standing firm in the faith, being strong and doing all we do in love...that we be salt and light...that we love one another and serve one another...that we proclaim the mystery of the gospel, preach, teaching and making disciples...that we have knowledge of His will...that we know the word and keep His commandments, and so on.

If ye prayed aright, all your proper wants would be supplied; the improper cravings which produce "wars and fightings" would then cease. (Fausset)

No, we do not want to audit our prayers. We do want to make sure our prayers are not with wrong desires or wrong motives. We do this by praying the Word of God.

When we do pray for earthly things, be certain it is asked subject to His will—not for merely our gain, but for His glory.

I hope this helps your praying, it has mine, even though I don’t pray this way enough.

Many people use a framework when giving speeches or writing articles. This helps them remember what to say, like using a three-step process, an acronym, or alliteration.

In sermons, you often hear the speaker say, The three points today are this, this, and this. I like using frameworks too, even during my prayer times. It doesn’t mean I’m stuck with just that framework, but it gives me a guide or roadmap.

For experienced people of prayer, a framework might not be necessary. But for those new to praying or seeking guidance, having a framework is like having a map. It helps you know where you’re going and where you want to be.

I enjoy starting with praise and thanksgiving, especially using the Psalms. With Scripture and the Holy Spirit guiding me, along with a framework, then I can focus my prayers better.

So join me in the prayer cast. I’ll talk more about using a framework and even go through a prayer with one. At the end of the prayer time, I’ll share the framework I used and see if you recognized it.

If you find the framework helpful, please share with a friend to help them.

Often on my heart and my lips is prayer for you as Subscribers prayer group members, one which comes from the very prayers of Paul in his letter to Ephesus:

I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Says Charles Spurgeon:

Alas, to a great many religious people the love of Jesus is not a solid substantial thing at all—it is a beautiful fiction, a sentimental belief, a formal theory, but to Paul it was a real, substantial, measurable fact.

Even those who claim Christ can miss holy love. His is unfathomable, unsearchable, unending; it is unearned, undeserved, and unconditional. Jesus love is so great He came for us, took our place, and He is coming again for us.

The apostle recognizes this, experienced it and prays we would know this love also.

He had considered it this way, and that way, and the other way, and it was evidently real to him, whatever it might be to others. No one knows the love of Christ at all if he does not know it to be real, and no one has felt it in his soul at all unless it becomes so real as to constrain him and move him into actual activity.

Knowing in our head Jesus loves us is one thing. It is an awareness, intellectual, an acknowledgement. But another thing entirely for this love to be real to to us, so real it flows out from us, influencing our actions toward others.

We have a word which we sometimes use in a sense which I believe is not correct according to the dictionary. I mean the word “realize.” That word has been forced into the language of Christian experience, and can never be forced out again. We must realize, or make real to our hearts the love of Christ. That is just what I think the apostle did—he made real to himself the love of his Master and Lord.

The way Paul lived, wrote and spoke was in pursuit of knowing and having this love of God real in his own heart and life. Not only this, he prayed for it and experienced it firsthand.

It was not to him a surface theory, which might have breadth, but could not have depth. Or a mere narrow statement with length, but no breadth. It was a thing as firm and solid as anything in the world.

The experience of a thing makes it more real to us. We can look at photos of a vacation destination, but that’s nothing like actually being there in person. The experience makes it more real, more tangible, more meaningful.

It is true the love of Jesus is not material and earthly so as to be seen and handled, but it is even more substantial than if it were a thing to be seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, and the things which are not seen are eternal.

Love is not love, as the world says, meaning that every love is somehow equal. God’s own love is not material as are things in this world, where we love those who love us. The love we have in Christ is that He laid down his life for us. This love changes us from who we were before Christ in us, to who we are to be after.

To the carnal man the visible is real, and the invisible a mere dream. But to the spiritual man things are reversed, the visible is the shadow and the invisible the substance. May you be such people, dear friends, all of you!

We can love Him because He first loved us, and when this love is made known to us, we comprehend it more and more in our inner being. It is more true and real than any other thing we can sense by touch or taste, by smell or sight or sound.

So then, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray together for love as Paul did.

Praying For Love

God wants us:

* firmly rooted and grounded in love

* able to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth

* to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge

* rooted—planted, firmly fixed

* grounded—to be founded upon, a foundation

* comprehending—understand, seize, possess

* breadth, length, height, depth—immensity, without end

* surpasses—experience that affection beyond what we can know

This love is without measure or end and God wants us to know with certainty—from the depth of Christs sacrifice to the height of His glory, that His love is limitless.

O God, make us to know this matchless love, and to live in the reality of it. Amen

My personal prayer is to fall in love with the Savior who loves us. I will pray this for you. Will you pray this for me? Leave a comment or message me below.

The disciples seemed content that the Master would pray, often alone and early or even very late. But here Jesus finds them not with him in prayers, but asleep.

He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Matthew 26:40

Aren’t many of us are also sleeping?

Watching and Praying are actions

Ever tried to hold a prayer meeting at your church? How many did you tell, and how many do attend? Ever asked someone to pray for you, and wonder if they really did? Ever tell someone you would pray for them, and did you actually do that?

Prayer - now as then, is not a popular nor a favorite church ministry. Some don’t know how, or care it is a priority, or there is no prayer leader. Some would rather sing, others be deacons, and many are content to observe.

But praying is not for mere spectators, rather we are to be actual participants. Watching a sporting event, or a cooking show is observing and not participating. When we play on the ball field, or get out the pots and pans that we are participating in sport or cooking.

Biblical watching is not merely observing, it’s being alert, watchful, eyes open. It’s like the sheepdog ever alert over the flock for predators creeping in the dark. It’s also being aware of the Master’s return, even if at midnight. This is active watching, looking, as a sentinel on duty.

The praying Savior admonished Peter as though praying was not an optional activity, but a necessity. What, would we miss an opportunity to pray with Jesus? He wants us to actually pray and not merely observe, or be content with letting others do all the praying.

What Happens When We Do Not Pray?

The next verse tells us: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Though we may want to pray without ceasing, without prayer we enter into temptation. What is the temptation? Many things perhaps, but in the passages following we see that Jesus went to pray a second and then a third time, and again both times He found them sleeping.

Instead of watching - which is to be alert and aware, like a sentinel on duty, we do the opposite and fall asleep! We certainly cannot watch and pray while sleeping.

There are at least two reasons we are to do this:

Mark 13:33 - Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. And in Luke 21:36 - Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Prayer As Discipline

The ministry of prayer is like other Christian disciplines (including Bible study, giving, fasting, etc) which require training and practice. When learning any new skill, activity or sport, we must be taught the basics, learn the terminology or movements - and then train with these over and over.

As we devote time and attention to any discipline we get better and better. Ever observe a master craftsman at their chosen work? They make it look so easy, right? But it was many hours honing the basics again and again, mostly when no one else was noticing, that made them that great.

These disciples (followers) of Jesus were being disciplined (trained) in the ministry of Jesus (including prayer). Let us also watch with Jesus and pray.

Photo by Simon Infanger on Unsplash

We know prayer ought to be a daily priority of our Christian life, but which prayers might be a priority for us right now?

Among the many prayers, petitions, requests, and supplications needed, here are three we can all focus on:

* The salvation of unbelievers – pray for those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, that they might repent and believe the gospel; they would hear the good news, become aware they are sinners in need of the Savior, and seek the Lord for His mercy and grace to the forgiveness of sins.

* The People of God – intercede for the household of faith, those who do believe - the pillar and buttress of truth. Pray that we be mature in the faith and stand firm in all the will of God.

* The Government – ask on behalf of those in positions of authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:1-4

As we look around, we see our nations are not tranquil. And Believers we ought to pray regularly for the government, not just around elections. For any leader – elected, appointed or hired, there are decisions and dangers. We are asking for wise leaders who will seek guidance, and we are asking for their protection.

In today’s PrayerPodcast let’s lift up those in authority from James 1:5, Proverbs 3:21, 1 Corinthians 16:13.

Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God

Here are four passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):

* Thursday - 1 Cor 1:4-8

* Friday - 1 Cor 16:13

* Saturday - 2 Cor 2:12

* Sunday - Rom 15:5-7, 13

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Image Credit

PrayerCast Show Notes:

Acts 4:29-31

A prayer for boldness in our speaking about to the Lord, and asking He show His power through us.

Ephesians 3:16-19

A prayer for spiritual strengthening through the Holy Spirit, rooted in God’s love, and for a deeper understanding of Christ’s love.

Philippians 1:9-11

A prayer for love to abound, increase in knowledge and discernment, and for believers to be filled with the fruit of righteousness.

1 Peter 4: 7-9

A prayer for being fervent in our love for one another in Christ.

1 John 1:7

A prayer for walking in the light of Christ, maintaining fellowship with other believers, and being cleansed from sin through Jesus’ sacrifice.

It is not a matter of time so much as a matter of heart; if you have the heart to pray, you will find the time. ~ C.H. Spurgeon

In the Bible, there were lots of prayer times, like:

Before daylight - Jesus rose long before dawn, went to a solitary place, and prayed there (Mark 1:35).

In the morning - The psalmist declared that God would hear his voice in the morning as he directed his prayer upward (Psalm 5:3). Morning prayer comes before the Lord (Psalm 88:13), and in the morning we can hear His lovingkindness as we trust in Him (Psalm 143:8). The prophet Isaiah reminded us that the Lord is our strength every morning and our salvation in times of trouble (Isaiah 33:2).

In the afternoon - Peter and John went up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer (Acts 3:1, approximately 3 pm).

Night and day - God’s elect cry to Him both day and night (Luke 18:7). The widow who is truly alone fixes her hope on God and continues in prayers night and day (1 Timothy 5:5).

All night - Jesus went to the mountain to pray and spent the entire night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).

Twice daily - The psalmist called for help by day and cried out in the night (Psalm 88:1).

Thrice daily - Evening, morning, and at noon the complaint is uttered, and He hears our voice (Psalm 55:17). Daniel knelt three times a day to pray and give thanks, just as he had always done (Daniel 6:10).

Before taking food - Jesus looked to heaven, gave thanks, and broke the bread before distributing it (Mark 6:41; Luke 22:19).

After the supper - Following the Last Supper, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and prayed, asking the Father to glorify His Son (John 17:1).

Apparently they all had the heart to pray and so made the time(s) to pray.

When is the best time for us to pray?

All. The. Time - We are called to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to continue steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12).

What does that mean, to “pray without ceasing”? That beautiful command involves two essential practices woven together like threads in a tapestry:

First, the Anchor: Scheduled Sacred Time - Praying continually begins with establishing a regular daily time and place for personal, private prayer in secret to our Heavenly Father. This is our prayer closet, our appointed meeting place with God. Like Daniel who knelt three times daily, we need this anchored rhythm, a consistent when and where that roots our prayer life in discipline and devotion.

Second, the Atmosphere: Spontaneous Spirit-led Moments - But praying continually doesn’t end when we leave the closet. It means cultivating a lifestyle of brief, spontaneous prayers woven throughout our day, while driving, waiting in line, meeting with someone, or talking on the phone. These are short prayers, quiet prayers of the heart: “Father, help that friend.” “Holy Spirit, come quickly.” “Lord Jesus, I need You.” These prayer-snippets become as natural and regular as blinking and breathing, changing ordinary moments into holy conversations.

Think of it this way: scheduled prayer is like sitting down for a meal with a dear friend, while spontaneous prayer is like the pleasant text messages you exchange during the day. Both matter. Both deepen the relationship. The scheduled time is a deep, abiding connection; the spontaneous moments maintain an ongoing awareness of God’s presence in every corner of life.

Another question:

when do we not pray? Most of us at Epaphras Prays struggle, like many do, with outside distractions that intrude on times to pray. Whether work, family, or hobbies, we find it helpful to have a scheduled Time, a certain Place, and a helpful List, which is written about here.

As seen above, prayer was a priority then, and should be now for all of us.

What about you?

What suggestions would you share that help you remain constant in prayer? Share a helpful idea in the comments: