Study in Prayer

When you Praise God for things that have not happened yet, you are doing so BY FAITH.

Your needs do not move God. Your wants do not move God. Your begging does not move God. The only thing that moves God is FAITH. Amen.

So, if you are facing a terrible situation where you are crying out to God for deliverance, you cannot go into His presence begging Him. You need to go into His presence PRAISING Him!

You need to pray and act like the answer has already occurred. That is called Faith.

“Well, brother Bob, it sounds like wishful thinking to me. I mean, after all, if I did not receive the answer, if I’m still sick, if I’m still broke, if I’m still without a job or whatever – and I start acting like everything is great – I’m a hypocrite!”

Well, my dear brother or sister – you are a hypocrite.  I’m sorry to say – but you are.

“AM NOT!”  Oh – yes you are… you just exposed your true self…

You are moved by feelings, emotions and the five physical senses.  You are acting on the Faith of doubting Thomas – not Faith in God and definitely not in the Faith of Jesus. 

Hold on a minute – don’t lose sight of what we are here trying to do. I want to help you get your prayer life off of the natural into the Heavenly realm of reality. Amen!

One thing you need to realize is that praise is not dependent on your emotional situation at the time. It is only based on GOD. You need to praise HIM whether you feel like it or not. Amen!

In Hebrews 13:15, the Word says, “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God CONTINUALLY, that is the FRUIT OF OUR LIPS giving THANKS TO HIS NAME.” 

David is the perfect example of someone who could praise God even when his own family was trying to kill him. He would constantly start praising God when it looked like all hope was lost. And God would turn things around. Amen!

In Psalm 56:11, David says, “In God I will Praise His Word. In God I have put my trust. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me….”

AMEN!  That is how we need to pray! Glory to God! I’m excited just teaching on this today! Shout amen somebody! 

The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people. The Bible says the enemy is turned back, falls and perishes at the presence of our God. Amen!

Praise is a powerful weapon against the forces of darkness when you bring it into your prayer life. It doesn’t matter what you are facing our up against. Praise God brings you into the courts of Praise and into the presence of the Lord – and God takes notice.

When God takes notice – the devil knows he is in trouble. It’s like a burgler trying to break into your house in the middle of the night. He’s sneaking around…and then he hears you calling 911.  What’s that burglar going to do? FLEE. You were not talking to the burglar. You were not confronting the burglar. You were talking on the telephone to someone that the burglar wanted nothing to do with. And that burglar knows that help is being dispatched right then! Amen! 

It works the same way. You don’t have to deal with the demon bothering you. Just get on your PRAISE LINE and get God’s attention. Help will be dispatched immediately. Daniel was told that the angel was sent as soon as he started praying. Amen!

Let’s pray right now. I want to help you connect your 911 line directly into God’s dispatch center. Amen!  Let’s pray and let’s PRAISE HIM.

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Thanksgiving and prayer are very important parts of prayer. When you believe you have received the answer to your prayers (which is how you should be praying – not begging as if it has not happened yet), you can’t help but begin to Praise God! Amen!  Praise was ordained by God for a purpose.

Psalm 8 and Psalm 9 point out some things about praise that you need to understand. Psalm 8:1-2 say, “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! Who has set your Glory about the Heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, you have ordained strength because of your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger.”  

Now, I want you to notice something here. Jesus, in Matthew 21:16, is quoting this scripture. You do understand that HE IS the WORD OF GOD, right? So, His interpretation MUST BE accurate… Can I get an AMEN on that one? I mean, Jesus, when quoting the Word is talking about Himself. So when He says something in the Word or from the Word – I think we can all agree it must be True, right? Because He also said “The Word is Truth.” Anyway, I could continue to farther along that line – but the point I’m trying to make is this…

In Matthew 21:16, Jesus, quoting from Psalm 8:1-2, said, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings YOU HAVE PERFECTED PRAISE.” 

Jesus is equating STRENGTH with PRAISE.

From these scripture which we just read, we can see that GOD ORDAINED PRAISE for the purpose of defeating His enemies. Praising God will stop the enemy, the devil and any demon, right in their tracks! It is like having a tank pull into position and the enemies small arms fire just starts bouncing off the hull…then, the Holy Spirit spins that turret around and when you start PRAISING GOD – BAMMM!  That big tank gun goes off and the enemy is defeated…and all his little demon buddies take off running! Praise God!  No really – give God some Praise right now! Amen!

Psalm 9:1-4 says, “I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart. I will show forth all of your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in YOU. I will sing praise to your name, O you, the Most High God. When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at your presence. For you have maintained my right and my cause. You sit on your Throne judging right.”

Now, notice – this says WHEN your enemies are turned back. Not IF they will be turned back. Folks, these may seem like small things as you read them – but IF YOU BELIEVE exactly what the Word of God says – they make a world of difference. Amen!

We are not wrestling with flesh and blood, but against demonic forces. When you Praise God in advance for the victory – you are praying in the Will of God. When you start to enter His Gates with Thanksgiving in your heart – you are entering the Courts of Praise and your victory is guaranteed. Amen!

Let’s pray right now and give God some Praise for answered prayer. Whatever it is you are going through right now – just start praising Him for the victory…

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Have you been struggling in your prayer life lately? Have you been noticing that some of your prayers just are not being answered?  I can tell you from experience, it is not God’s fault. It is your fault!  

Now, before you switch me off, here me out. Amen.

God’s answer is always YES and AMEN. He has said over and over and it has been emphasized by Jesus Himself, that if we ask ANYTHING according to His Will and in the Name of Jesus – God will grant us the prayers we have asked Him.

And if it is impossible for God to lie – then He will do what He said He would do.

But, I can guarantee you from the Word of God, He will ONLY answer prayers that are in accordance with His will. That’s in 1 John 5:14. Amen.  If you are experiencing a dry season in your prayer life – check yourself. Get back into the Word. Get back into agreement with the Word. Get back into an alignment with the Will of God and then you will start to see a change in the results of your prayer life. Amen!

You cannot know what the Will of God IS unless you know His Word. His will is His Word. So the first thing you need to do is start to study His Word in more detail. You should be reading it on a daily basis. If you are not doing so – there is a big red flag right there! Amen!

Next, you must renew your mind. When you get into God’s Word on a consistent basis, it will transform your life. And it all starts in your mind. Remember, you are a Spirit. Your Spirit man was created the instant you were born again. That’s what the term BORN AGAIN means. The Old you died and you became a new creation. Created in the image of Christ who is the image of God. So you are created in God’s image – and that makes you His Child. A Child of God. Amen.

But your mind, your will – notice I said YOUR WILL and your emotions – are your soul. All of the bad things you’ve ever done are still in your memory – your mind. This can make you sad, angry, feel condemned, or whatever. WHY? Because you know you sinned. But – you must remember, if you are born again, that has been forgiven…

But, the devil will try to bring up those things you’ve been forgiven of. Those thoughts are housed in your memory. So you need to transform your MIND. Allow God’s Word to purify your thoughts. 

I’ve done things, before I was born again and yes – even after – that I feel absolutely terrible about. Things I would never do now. But, the good news is – I’ve been forgiven! Praise you Jesus! Amen!  And the good news for you is – if you are born again – YOU have been forgiven, too! Can I get an AMEN on that one! Praise God!

So, although those thoughts are there, you need to start speaking the Word against them. You can only do that IF you know the Word. And you can only do that by getting INTO the Word. 

Once you start to realize this, you become more noticeable of what God’s WILL really is as it concerns situations you are facing. And once you know what God’s Will IS in any given situation – that is what you need to start praying and walking out.

As you do that – VICTORY comes! Amen! Victory in JESUS – Praise God!  

All of that comes simply by YOU renewing your mind. When you realize that – you will realize that YES – you need to “upgrade” your prayer account and your prayer life. Shout Amen Somebody!

Let’s pray that God will help you to make the time in your schedule to start getting into His Word. Begin the process of upgrading your prayer account by transforming you thought life with the Word of God. Let’s pray…

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Ezra had been working hard to teach God’s people how to obey God and worship Him. But the people did not listen. They continued to go about their own business. Not paying attention to the teachings of God or the preaching of the prophets. They basically forsook the Biblical way of doing things and had turned their backs on God.

This brings about Judgement folks!  You have heard me say that the United States has opened the door to Divine Judgement by embracing lifestyles and ways of life and attitudes that dishonor God and dishonor our Godly heritage. And we have nobody to blame for what is going to happen except ourselves. If we do not repent and do so quickly, it will be too late.

Ezra found out about lots and lots of people who were choosing to disobey God as well. He was so hurt! But what does Ezra do? He prays! 

Ezra begins his prayer by saying to God that he was too ashamed and humiliated to even lift up his face to Him. He declared, “Our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens.” Here, right from the beginning of his prayer, Ezra poured out his heart to God, telling Him exactly how he felt.  

And it is interesting that throughout the prayer, even though he had not participated in the sins of the people, he demonstrated by using the words “we,” “our” and “us,” that he identified with their sins and even felt the guilt of their sins. 

This is how it is for us in the world today. Even though, as Christians, you may not have participated in abortions or homosexuality or supported a particular political party that encourages such actions – you are still here. You are still in this nation that is deserving of judgment. Here, in this nation that is starting to experience judgment…

Ezra goes on in his prayer saying all the great things God had done for the nation. He was not doing this to remind God of these things, but to bring to remembrance what God had done to the minds of the people all around him. 

Then, in verse ten, Ezra says to God, “What shall we say after this?” So here (in my words) he is praying, “Now what have we done for all of Your kindness and blessing upon this land? We have turned our backs on You and forsaken Your covenant. You told us not to do these wicked things, but we, as a nation, have done them anyway.”

Folks, this prayer should be prayed by believers everywhere right now. You may not have been participating in the wickedness of the sins of this nation. But you permitted them to be practiced anyway.

“How did we do that, brother bob?”

By electing public officials who supported, endorsed and then passed and enforced laws that went contrary to God’s Word and God’s Will. And then punished anyone who spoke God’s Word against those wicked practices.

Closing his prayer, he said in great humility, “Here we are before You, in our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!”

Ezra was putting it all on the line. He told God, basically, “Your judgement is what we deserve. We do not deserve your Mercy any longer.” And it was true.

But, this prayer got the attention of those around Ezra. And repentance began. And judgement was averted. God heard Ezra’s prayer and granted Mercy.

What do we deserve as a nation or as a world? I can tell you in one word – Judgement.

But God – it is only because of His Mercy that we are still breathing today. But God!

It is time to repent for where YOU have sinned against God. It is also time for you to PRAY like Ezra prayed. Maybe, just maybe, you can influence those around you to repent as well. Then and only then, will the impending judgement be delayed.

Let’s pray for YOU to be able to influence others to repent of their sins and receive Jesus as their Savior. It does not matter what YOU have done or what others have done – IF true repentance comes in Jesus name. Become born again and receive the gift of everlasting life. Then, if judgement does come – it doesn’t matter to you – because you have already received MERCY. Amen!

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Most people are familiar with this story. God had commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh, the NYC of its day and proclaim that Judgement was coming and coming soon. 

Jonah did not want to do that because he knew that, if they repented, God would not destroy the city (the Bible does not say “HOW” Jonah knew this, but it was evident he did). IF that happened, it wasn’t just that Jonah would have sparked repentance in the city of Nineveh, Nineveh was HATED by the Jews. They were like Iran is today to Christians. OK?

He would rather see God destroy the entire land and its people for all that they had to Israel. He did not want to even give them a shred of a chance at repentance. So – he went in the complete opposite direction! Amen!

Ultimately, Jonah was tossed over-board from the ship he was on, once it was determined it was his fault for the ship being in jeopardy. Jonah was ok with that, too! You can tell from the conversation in scriptures. 

He basically had the attitude that, “I’ll be dead and ushered into paradise…and Nineveh and all of it’s inhabitants will still not have a chance to repent and God will still destroy that wicked place! That’s good all the way around!”

But – God had a plan. And sent a fish to swallow up Jonah as soon as he was tossed in the sea. Now, we do not know what kind of fish it was…but you can pretty much determine it was a whale. Why?

One, it was large enough to swallow him whole. 

Two, a whale just inhales water and brings the krill into its mouth in one might rush of water and then, down into the stomach the food goes…

But, in this instance, Jonah was detoured. He probably was not sucked into the stomach, or else the acids would have started in on him. Instead, he became, let’s say, stuck in the esophagus of the whale. Why do I say that?

Because the whale must surface to take a breath of air, right? So, Jonah had to have a fresh air supply. The esophagus, just like ours, splits off to the stomach and to the lungs. And there was Jonah, stuck in the throat of the whale.

God then directed the whale to start swimming towards the destination He wanted Jonah to go. After three days of being stuck in the dark, fighting to stay in place as the whale kept swallowing more and more krill, then catching some fresh air as it surfaced, only to dive down again…Jonah had enough.

He prayed…

Well, about that time, the whale was back on the beach near where God wanted Jonah to be in the first place. The whale, now delirious because he could not get whatever it was stuck in his throat out – suddenly vomited and spit out Jonah…right on or near the beach.

And Jonah decided it might be in his best interest just to go ahead and do what God told him to do in the first place. And you can tell from the rest of the story, he did not like it. But you have to give him credit, at least he obeyed.

The question I have for you is this…

What has God told YOU to do that you have not done yet?  It doesn’t have to be anything BIG like go to a foreign land and become a missionary…it could be – but it doesn’t have to be…

It could be something simple, like giving extra money in offerings. Or witnessing to your coworker. Or just taking the kids to church.  But, whatever it is, if you have not done it yet, what is it going to take?

Do you only pray to God when you are in trouble? I know a lot of people like that. When all hell breaks loose around them, then they call…”Can you pray for me?”

Folks, do not be like Jonah. Pray every single day. That is what this teaching series is all about – to bring you into a closer, deeper relationship with God through prayer. Amen!

I want to pray for you right now to have that type of closer relationship with your Heavenly Father… Let’s pray…

Do me a favor…can you leave a comment down below and I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave a rating and review over on iTunes. All of this helps us to grow and to “Get the Word Out” into all the earth.

Be sure to visit our website at PodcastersForChrist.com and download our free resource, “Podcasting For Christians.” It is free and it will bless you immensely if you have or are thinking of starting a podcast of your own.

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

 These verses in Matthew chapter 6 are talking about doing things for immediate rewards. Recognition. Public recognition like “Oh, he or she is such a saint,” type of recognition. Later, in verses 19-20, Jesus teaches us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

We are not to do things for earthly rewards or treasures—getting immediate results from our actions. Instead, we should do things for Christ and lay up treasures in heaven. We may not get results right away, but everything good done for Christ will eventually be rewarded. Should we be satisfied with earthly rewards, or should we desire rewards in heaven for the cause of Christ?

 Now let us apply this principle to what Jesus said about prayer. Should we pray to be seen and praised by people who will be amazed at how “spiritual” we sound?

Or should we pray to praise God and let our requests be known? Obviously, praying for the sake of being seen by others focuses on earthly rewards.

 Jesus is not saying if we should pray in public or not. He is saying we need to understand the reason we are praying. Is it to get results or is it to be seen? When Jesus told His disciples to pray privately, He was emphasizing the need to pray when nobody else even knows we are praying.

 Why would someone do that?

Because they are spending quality time, alone, with the Creator of the Universe. Who just happens to be our Heavenly Father. Do you think God cherishes that time with His children?

 Imagine if your child would only honor you and talk nice to you when you were out in public or you had company over…the rest of the time, they either demanded stuff from you or ignored you altogether. How would that make you feel?

 But, if your child truly honored you, if your child truly spent time with you when they could be doing other things – not to get something, but just to be in your presence…how would that make you feel? Good, right?

 And then, if one day, your child came to you and said, “I really need your help with this…” and laid out a problem they were having – would you move to help them? Immediately? Of course you would…

But, if your child was one that neglected you, abused you, ridiculed you, except when they could be observed by others and everyone thought they were the best kid in town…they are fooling everyone… and then the kid comes in and say, “Hey, I need your help with this. Give me, give me, give me, give me…”

The first couple of times, you might help them. But with no change in their attitude, there will come a time when the answer is “NO.”

Then, the true colors of the child come out! 

“You don’t love me? I hate you! Etc. etc.” Right?

 So, if that is how YOU are – imagine how God is feeling when His kids treat Him the same way. That is what Jesus is saying here… SPEND TIME WITH GOD ALONE. With nobody else around. Not to pester Him and beg Him for STUFF…but just to be in His Presence. Do it when nobody else is around.

Then, when there is a need – He will reward you and will do so OPENLY. That means you really do not even need to ask. He knows your needs before you ask Him, scripture says. And when He blesses you openly like that, then others will see it and ask you, “WOW – That was a big blessing” and you will respond with,

“My God blesses me…” It is a testimony to your relationship with God! Amen!

 I want to pray with you right now… Let’s pray for forgiveness for neglecting our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father, and for His Wisdom in how to find more time in our busy schedules to spend more time in fellowship in His presence. Amen…

 Do me a favor…can you leave a comment down below and I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave a rating and review over on iTunes. All of this helps us to grow and to “Get the Word Out” into all the earth.

 Be sure to visit our website at PodcastersForChrist.com and download our free resource, “Podcasting For Christians.” It is free and it will bless you immensely if you have or are thinking of starting a podcast of your own.

 Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

  Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Have you ever heard someone finish a prayer and say something like, “for Jesus sake, amen.?”

That is so foolish. We are praying for our sake – not Jesus sake. AMEN?

We are to pray to the Father – IN THE NAME OF JESUS! We are to pray for RESULTS. Jesus said if we believe whatever it is we are asking God for, that God WILL answer our prayers…if we believe that – THEN we will receive our prayers as answered. DO NOT DOUBT. Amen!

How can you believe in something you do not know?

In order to receive your prayers as answered, you must believe they will be answered. To believe they will be answered, you must base them on the Word of God. How can you base them on the Word of God if you do not know the Word of God? Quick answer – You can’t!

So, first, you must READ what God’s Word has to say about your situation. Whatever it is! 

If you need healing, go to the Word and look up – AND READ – every single scripture that deals with healing and Jesus healing the sick. “Well, brother bob, that would take a lot of time…”

I didn’t say you had to do it one sitting. But you should spend at least 30 minutes scriptures. And, in my opinion, if you truly are in need of healing, do it three or four times per day!

“Three or four times per day?”  I don’t have that much time…!  Really? What are you doing at 5am every morning?  “Well, brother bob, I’m sleeping…I work all day…”

Look at where I am right now. It is 5am and I’m doing this every single day. WHY? Because I need a deep dive in prayer. And I’m in the Word every single day. But I needed to FOCUS on prayer. And the Lord impressed upon me to share this study with you. That is what I’m doing. But I have been getting up between 5 and 515 am for years, just to spend the first few minutes of each and every day with the Lord. In His word and in prayer.

Some people want to do that at the end of the day. That’s ok too. But you need to make it part of your daily schedule. Not something you do when you remember. It has to be part of your routine. Amen.

And, if you need an answer to something in particular, like healing – then you need to spend 30 minutes reading healing scriptures. Over and over and over. If you need an answer to financial pressures, read about finances. What to do, sowing and reaping, giving and receiving, etc. Tithing…hello!

The point is – when I said three times per day, if you were truly sick and the doctor told you to take these pills and go for a half mile walk three times per day for the next six months and you will be healed – would you do it? Most people would say yes!

Even if you had a job. You would wake up 30 minutes early and go for your walk before work. At lunch time you would go for a walk instead of McDonald’s or whatever. Then after work you go for your third walk. You would find a way to fit it into your schedule because your doctor said if you would do it – you would be healed…

So why won’t you believe the one who gave the doctor’s their wisdom? Why won’t you believe the One who created all things, including your body. Why won’t you believe the One who created all the silver, all the gold and all the cattle on a thousand hills? Do you think He who did all that is incapable of helping you?

Then start believing and asking for specific prayer, like we already talked about – and, as we are talking about today – PRAY FOR RESULTS and then, as our scripture says today – BELIEVE YOU RECEIVE those prayers as answered. Amen!

I want to pray for you right now, that you would take this seriously. So seriously that you will repent for not doing so before…so seriously that you will start to spend at least 30 minutes each day in God’s Word. So seriously that, if necessary, you will get up 30 minutes earlier to start your day with God in His Word.  IF you will do that, THEN you will see results. Amen! Let’s pray…

Do me a favor…can you leave a comment down below and I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave a rating and review over on iTunes. All of this helps us to grow and to “Get the Word Out” into all the earth.

Be sure to visit our website at PodcastersForChrist.com and download our free resource, “Podcasting For Christians.” It is free and it will bless you immensely if you have or are thinking of starting a podcast of your own.

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

When you read this verse, and some others that Jesus taught on, it sounds like He is telling us to keep your prayer brief and to the point. That may sound harsh to some “religious” folks who want to follow Solomon Paul’s advice in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, where he tells us to, “Pray without ceasing.” I mean, if you take that one literally, you would be talking to God every single waking second. That would be a lot of words and, honestly, you would be doing a lot repeating of your prayers.

So, which is it? Keep it brief or keep it long?

I know some people that make it a point to pray 2-3 hours every single day. They do not feel right if they do not spend that much time in prayer. I know some people that say about 2 minute prayer and they believe they are good to go. So, which one is in good standing with God and which one is not?

The answer – BOTH.

“Both? Brother Bob…Both what? In good standing or not?”

Yes – that is correct. Both!

It kind of sounds like I’m in the Abbott and Costello “Who’s on first” comedy routine, doesn’t it?

But, you have to understand, if one person wants to spend a couple of hours at one time in the presence of God…If that is what the Lord has put on his or her heart to do – then that answers the question!  That person needs to be there.  However, if they are doing that in attempt to berate God into finally answering their prayers – they are wasting their time.

Jesus taught the parable about the unrighteous judge in Luke 18:5-7. This widow woman keeps bothering this judge to help her until finally, in verse 5, the judge says, “…yet, because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests. And the Lord said, Listen to the words of the unrighteous judge. Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?”

That sounds pretty much like Jesus is telling His disciples to be like the widow woman and just keep pestering God until you finally wear Him out and He will cave in to your prayer request.

But when you match that up with our scripture verse of Matthey 6:7 where Jesus don’t keep pestering God with all of your meaningless words – we have two opposite sides of the equation. So, what should we do?

I’m so glad you asked!

Jesus is say that if you have a need, keep it before the Lord in prayer. Every time the devil brings up the situation that you are facing, financial, health, family members or whatever, every time the devil brings it to your remembrance, just give the Lord praise for the answer to your prayer request.  But don’t go to your prayer closet 29 times a day and spend 30 minutes crying out the Lord every single time.

If you have a financial need that is so urgent, you need a miracle, you take it to the Lord. IF HE tells you to sow a seed and help someone else, do it. That is what will open the door to your miracle. You helping the need of someone else. If all you have left is $20 and you need $200 or $2000 – and as you are driving to work and see that homeless person on the corner, is that $20 going to help you? No. But it will help that homeless person. SOW IT!  That will be a HUGE blessing to that homeless person. That will now open the door for the Lord to have someone else sow HUGE into your life.

That is just one example and we will teach on the laws of sowing and reaping later on in this study. But the thing I want you to see is GOD WILL ANSWER YOUR PRAYER. He may use other people to do it. Especially where it comes to finances. All the finances in the earth are based, basically on precious metal that God created when He created the earth. He is not going to rain $100 bills down from Heaven and He is not going to create any more silver or gold. So therefore, your financial breakthrough will come from others that have some extra and they are sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and will SOW when and where God tells them to sow.  That is what I’m talking about when I say, if the Lord puts it on your heart to sow to that homeless person - do it! He is trying to talk to someone else to sow into your life – and you want them to listen to Him, don’t you? 

Anyway…my point of discussion today is not about sowing and reaping. It’s about praying always, praying consistently, using long prayers or short prayers. 

The inference in what I believe Jesus is trying to get us to understand is this. You will not twist God’s arm into answering your prayers. Your long prayers with, what the Bible calls, “vain repetitions” or, in the case of our scripture verse today, “babbling like pagans with many words,” is not going to make God feel sorry for you or feel like He needs to just give you what you keep bothering Him about so you will leave Him alone for a little while. 

Words do not move God. At least not YOUR words will move God. The Bible says FAITH moves God. When you stand on His Word as the basis of your prayers and when you stand in Faith in His Words as the basis of your prayers and when you stand in Faith and do not doubt the power of His Words in your prayers – that is when you will receive your prayers as answered.

Let’s pray…

Do me a favor…can you leave a comment down below and I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave a rating and review over on iTunes. All of this helps us to grow and to “Get the Word Out” into all the earth.

Be sure to visit our website at PodcastersForChrist.com and download our free resource, “Podcasting For Christians.” It is free and it will bless you immensely if you have or are thinking of starting a podcast of your own.

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

 You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

In order to receive the answer to your prayers, you need to believe that God WILL answer prayer. We are told over and over and over that God “hears us” and “delivers us” and He “will answer” our prayers.

But even with all of the promises of God on this subject, doubt still creeps in “this time.”  

Questions like, “Will He answer – this time?”  

Or “I know He answered my prayers before – but will He do it “this time?””

We need to be on guard against any thoughts that come into your mind concerning whether or not God will answer your prayers.

You see, thoughts are actually governed by observations. You then associate those observations with what your desires are. “Are these things lining up with what I expect?” “Are these things I see, are they God’s way of answering my prayer?”

The Bible says we are to cast down our imaginations that try to exalt themselves against the Word of God. That’s why you need to stay away from all places and things that do not support your affirmation that God has answered your prayers. Your thoughts are governed by your actions.

That means, sometimes, you will have to stay away from the kind of churches that can put more unbelief in you than they do faith. I’m not speaking bad about any churches or their pastors – but you know as well as I do there are some well meaning pastors that walk, unknowingly, in unbelief in certain areas.

For example, some pastors do not want to teach on prophecy because they feel it just makes people fearful. They do not want to make their people afraid – despite the fact the Book of Revelation clearly states that those who read or in other words, STUDY, the last the book of the Bible – will be BLESSED. 

There are those pastors who refuse to teach on Divine healing. They don’t want to get people’s hopes up. They don’t know how to teach on the subject of “walk by faith and not by sight.” They acknowledge that Jesus healed. The Apostle’s healed. But they don’t believe ANY of that is for today. They will admit that “sometimes” God will Divinely intervene and they give Him praise in those instances. But they will not willing teach on it nor are they willing to stand in agreement with YOU for your healing.

It is better to leave those churches, despite your friendships, despite your loyalty to “the pastor” and stick to your loyalty with GOD.

Studies have shown that you are the sum total of the 5 people you most hang out with. If you are a business person and you want to take your business to the next level of success, you need to start associating with those who are at least one step ahead of you, preferably three of four steps ahead of you. WHY? Because they KNOW what you are going through. They understand the processes you need to take in order to achieve your desired goals.

But, if you just hang around with those who are on the same level as you are – all you do is talk with one another about “someday.” But nobody really does anything to move up the ladder of success and make “someday” equal TODAY.

Even worse, is to start associating with those who are not as successful as you are and taking input from them and, the next thing you know – you have regressed down to the level they are at.

Folks, if you are needing healing – you need to associate with ministries that BELIEVE God still heals today. Not those that believe it stopped with the Apostles. Amen!

If you need a financial break through – you need to associate with ministries that operate on the financial success principles.

If you need to learn about PRAYER and “How to get your Prayers answered! “ You need to associate with ministries that believe God still answers prayers today!

That is why we are teaching every single day this year. That is why you are here! Amen!  God has Divinely brought us together for a purpose. And that purpose is to bring you into a deeper prayer life with Him so you CAN get your prayers answered. Glory to God.

Philippians 4:8 tells us what to think about. If we follow this advice – it will help to run those thoughts of doubt out of our life forever and keep us focused on God’s Word and God’s Answers to our prayers. Listen to this verse:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true (God’s word is truth, right), whatsoever things are HONEST (it is impossible for God to lie – therefore He is as Honest as it gets), Whatsoever things are JUST (God is a just God, amen); whatsoever things are PURE (God is pure LOVE. He IS LOVE. Pure through and through). Whatsoever things are LOVELY – no impurities at all , Whatsoever things are of a GOOD REPORT – which means there is no shadow of turning at all. A GOOD REPORT is what those who are doing God’s work receives. AMEN! 

IF there is any VIRTUE (again, virtue means pureness, wholeness – which only comes from God), and if there be any PRAISE – all Praise belongs to GOD and not man – THINK ON THESE THINGS.

Amen. Let me read that verse one more time as we get ready to close, without my moving commentary. In fact, let’s make that our closing prayer for you today. I want to pray this verse as a prayer over you and for you. Amen. Join me in receiving this prayer into your  life today…

“Finally, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report – if there be any virtue and if there by any praise – THINK ON THESE THINGS.”

In Jesus name – amen!

Do me a favor…can you leave a comment down below and I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave a rating and review over on iTunes. All of this helps us to grow and to “Get the Word Out” into all the earth.

Be sure to visit our website at PodcastersForChrist.com and download our free resource, “Podcasting For Christians.” It is free and it will bless you immensely if you have or are thinking of starting a podcast of your own.

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

In order to receive the answer to your prayers, you need to let every single thought about the subject of your prayers to remain positive. Call it as already done – in Jesus Name.

If you are believing for a financial answer to prayer, stay positive, even in the face of negative reports. If you are believing for a healing, same thing. Stay positive, even in the face of a negative report or feelings. How you feel does not affect the Word of God. Amen!

After you pray in Faith, according to God’s Word…you MUST stand on scripture at all times – NEVER allow a picture of failure to try and replace that Word that is LIVING on the inside of you.

We are talking about receiving answers to your prayers. Once you have prayed and asked God for something…and when I say “something” I am not being a generalist here. It has to be SPECIFIC. But I don’t know what you need or what you are praying for – so I have to be general as I’m talking to you today through this platform.

For example, if you need $1,314 dollars to meet a financial obligation, don’t just say, “Lord, I need a break through here. I need to see an increase in my finances…”  If you walk out to the parking lot and found a $5 bill on the ground, wouldn’t that be an increase your finances? So God answered your prayer!

“Well, brother bob, He knows what I need…” 

YES – He does!  More so than you do…  “What do you mean by that?”

Let’s talk about praying for finances for a minute. This is a unique form of prayer because God is not going to rain money down from Heaven like manna. He has already put “all of the silver, all of the gold” into the earth at creation. They don’t make that stuff anymore. And God isn’t making it anymore either. 

So, for Him to answer your prayer for financial increase, he has to get it from someone who already has it.

When you say, “God I need $1,314 and I need it now” – God knows what you really need.  I know, I’ve had this conversation with God.

I was praying a prayer like that a few years ago when God arrested me in the Spirit and said, “No you don’t.” That shocked me!  I said, “Yes I do” and He replied again, “No you don’t.”  Then He said, “If I give you this money now, next month you will be right back here asking for more.”

And you know what, He was right. Then He showed me in His Word, that living by debt instead of Faith is wrong. It goes against Biblical principles. And with this pandemic, you can see why…

People have been living for the here and now instead of saving. They should have been saving for an emergency fund that experts say should have a minimum of six months expenses and preferably an entire year. Most people do not even have one month of expenses in savings. I was the same way.

But several years ago, as I was praying for a miracle in order to keep the bills paid, that is when God said “No, that’s not what you need. What you need is to do stop borrowing and living on credit and start saving and paying cash.”

When I did, man – life got better. Yes, we went several years without vacations. We went several years saving for an emergency. But, during this pandemic, when everyone was panicking around us, we were secure. That’s just one example.

But the point of what I’m sharing today is not how to live secure financially. My point was to stay single minded and focused on your answer to your prayer request. 

In my example of asking God for increase and you finding $5 on the sidewalk, that was increase. You cannot say God did not answer your prayer. But, if you are praying specifics, “God, I need this amount of money by this day. I now SOW a seed to someone else…because your Word says to “Give and it shall be given back to me, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and, RUNNING OVER, men shall give into my bosom.”

But you have to give God something to work with in order for that scripture to become activated. Amen.

If you are praying for healing, as we talked about previously, go out and DO whatever it is you have not been able to do. If you could not lift your arm above your head, then do it. You might need someone to help you lift it…but do it. That’s what Moses did, remember? Aaron and Joshua stood on each side of him, helping him to keep his staff raised in the air so the Israeli army would  have victory? Amen! So you do the same thing. Then praise God for it! Keep at it. DO NOT, whatever you do – DO NOT get a picture of you NOT being able to do it.  Never doubt for even one minute that God has not already answered your prayer. He already did – it may not be manifested in the natural, but our answers IN HIM are YES AND AMEN. Glory to God.

If doubt begins to creep in – resist it. Speak against that doubt! James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  You can only resist the devil and make him flee when you are resisting with the Word of God. Your words mean nothing to the devil. He would rather have you speak to him in your mind all day long – than to have you speak one scripture at him from the Word of God. Amen.

SO, when you are believing for an answer to manifest from a prayer you have made to God, never allow what you see to influence what you believe. No matter what – never allow a picture of failure to take up permanent residence in your mind.

I want to pray for you right now…

Father, in the Name of Jesus, I pray you will show yourself strong to whoever is watching or listening to this teaching right now. I thank you that you have already heard their prayers and you are bringing their prayer requests to pass, even as I speak. 

I pray you will strengthen this person by the Power of your Word, so they will not waiver in their Faith. I pray they will remain strong in the Faith, standing on the promises in your Word. 

I pray you will speedily answer their prayer requests in a way that it will be undeniable that GOD has heard and GOD has answered, their prayers. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen!

Do me a favor…can you leave a comment down below and I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave a rating and review over on iTunes. All of this helps us to grow and to “Get the Word Out” into all the earth.

Be sure to visit our website at PodcastersForChrist.com and download our free resource, “Podcasting For Christians.” It is free and it will bless you immensely if you have or are thinking of starting a podcast of your own.

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, Podcasting for Christians. It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2