Volume  2    Issue   50    October 20th, 2002

A publication of the:
Butler church of Christ

Our meeting location is:
201 5th Ave.
Butler, PA 16001
724-287-0628 (building) / 724-282-9417 (home/office)

Assembling Times:
Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship – 10:30 AM
Wednesday Bible Class – 7:00 PM
 

Editor / Preacher –
Brian A. Yeager
 

Check out the web site:

http://www.wordsoftruth.net

Prayer is such a wonderful privilege that God has given to Christians.  It is a privilege that those outside of the body of Christ do not have (Isaiah 59:1-2 and I Peter 3:12).  Prayer is a privilege that Christians should never stop taking advantage of (I Thessalonians 5:17).  We are told to pray with the understanding (I Corinthians 14:15), therefore we should understand how God answers prayers, what to ask for, and how to ask for it.

One thing that must always be understood is that miracles existed for a reason and for a season.  God worked through men in a miraculous way to establish proof that they were preaching the word of God (Mark 16:15-20).  That period of time was temporary (I Corinthians 12:31 and I Corinthians 13:8-10).  That period ended when the word of God was completely revealed [when “that which is perfect” came – Greek word “teleios”] (I Corinthians 13:10 and James 1:25).  Thus, God uses natural means to answer our prayers.  When we pray for the ill we pray that God’s Providence will come into play through the work of Doctors, Nurses, and medication.  When we pray for someone to be saved, we pray for God’s providing of the word through a means of preaching to that individual. Those two examples serve as just a slight example to help us understand that  God does not do things like “touch” someone who is ill in a miraculous way in this day and age.

God provides a means by which that person can find help to get over their illness.  We are to pray with faith in what we pray for (James 1:5-6).  We obtain faith from the word of God (Romans 10:17).  Therefore, we should know what God will and will not provide us with.

Common sense and a little Bible knowledge surely will help us in understanding what to pray for.  For example; a faithful Christian, who is a Bible student, would not pray to be in contact with someone who has left this life.  A Faithful Bible student knows that such is impossible (Luke 16:19-31).

 In prayer we can know that God is not going to answer us if we ask for things that He has already provided.  Some may ask for Revelation, but God has already delivered His word once (Jude 3 and Matthew 24:35).  Some may go to God and ask for salvation, but God has already provided a means by which we must be saved (John 14:6, Titus 2:11-14, Romans 10:17, John 8:24, Luke 13:3, Romans 10:10, and Acts 2:38).  A Christian can go to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness of sins because that is a blessing that God has given to Christians (John 1:9).  So, we should ask for those things in which we can have true faith in that God will provide.   How we ask for things also plays a large role in proper prayer.

When a faithful child of God goes to Him in prayer they must be humble and show an attitude of repentance (Luke 18:9-14).  We must realize that we have a mediator in Christ (I Timothy 2:5 and Colossians 3:17).  We must realize that prayer is not something we memorize and repeat (Matthew 6:7).  Our prayers must be genuine.  When praying publicly the one leading the prayer must keep in mind that he is praying on behalf of all those present.  Christians should be able to give a hearty amen at the conclusion of public prayers.  The one praying should also remember not to attempt to impress the audience or to be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:5; 7).  When praying we must remember who we are addressing.  We are addressing the almighty God, the creator of all things, the sustainer of life, and the giver of salvation.  There are many more things that could be said, but when addressing public, collective prayer the number one rule is to be in mind of who you are praying to and who you are representing in that prayer.  Prayer is a privilege that a Christian should never abuse.  After all, we are the only ones that have that privilege!

Quick Notes

Those In Need of Our Prayers:
Steve Burgoon, Desiree’ Crist, Joan Croyle, and Mike Lockwood (Mike will be out of town).

Ladies Class:
October 27th, 2:00 at Kim’s house.  See Kim for details on what to be prepared to discuss.

****SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR NEXT WEEK!!!!****