Pray, Tell?

The number one problem in marriage is communication. Statistical studies prove the truth of that fact and statement. Communication is also a problem for families, businesses, and friendships. Is it any wonder than that we find this same problem within prayer?

Here are some statistics on prayer:
- An average prayer lasts under five minutes.
- 10% of Christians pray daily.
- 52% of people who pray do so several times a day.
- 59% of Christians are not satisfied with their prayer life.
- 21% have extended times of prayer with other family members (spouse, children, relatives).
-33% of Christian adults regularly participate in a prayer group or other meeting that has a focus on prayer.
-29% of Christians say grace before every meal.
- a 2005 Gallup Poll found that 15% of church goers are committed spiritually to prayer and service within their church community.
- a 2007 Barna Poll revealed 37% of Christians claim no one modeled for them how to pray or received only limited teaching on prayer.
- In 2006 Christian Life Today polled 150 Protestant churches, a study revealed that in 69% of the churches that only the Pastor or Leader prayed during corporate prayer time.

How can a marriage survive if there is no communication between the bride and the groom? It can't, plain and simple. We, the Christian Church are the Bride of Christ. Jesus Christ is the Groom. As believers, we are in a marriage covenant with Christ Jesus. We seldom take this to heart and keep this fact at the forefront of our minds.

Prayer is our conversation time with our beloved Lord. It is where we pour out our hearts to Him. Where we confess our sins, our wrongs. It is where we learn and discern His voice. It is where He speaks to us and reminds us of His love, provision, protection, receive His forgiveness. It is an interactive conversation. Many believers have only one way conversations and seldom tarry or wait in prayer to hear what His voice says. Oh the troubles we can avoid by waiting for direction and healing! Many see their relationship with God as a big Santa Claus in the sky when they pray. Think of it this way. If you hardly ever talk to your spouse throughout the year and spend time with them, do you think if you give them your Christmas list that you'll receive anything special? Yes your spouse may love you and you may get a gift or two, but how much more and special would the gifts be, had the relationship been nurtured on a regular, daily basis?

Think about this believer in Christ, someone prayed for your salvation. Someone prayed for the seed of faith to grow in you. Someone prayer for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit for you. Was not God faithful? Were not those answers special, refreshing and meaningful?

American Christians have unsatisfying prayer lives and seldom see miraculous events because we don't know how to wait on the Lord in prayer. We treat God like a fast food restaurant. We want to place our order and have it our hands in two minutes otherwise our eye is on the exit door to go somewhere else and get served quicker. If God answered like that, how would our faith grow? Yet, that's how we act in prayer too. "Lord bless my day and give me a parking spot right in front. Amen." There's seldom the thought, "God, what do want me to do today for you?" Or a prayer like, "Jesus, I invite you into my day. Help me do YOUR will today. Empower me with Your Spirit and empty of my will today?"
God help us. Holy Spirit bring us to our knees before You. Let our hearts hunger for You.

Saints of God, Family of God, let us fall down together on our knees. Let us hear the voice of God in prayer. May we yield our will to His. There is much power in prayer and therefore much we miss out and deprive ourselves of because we fail to give ourselves to prayer.

This quote by Corrie ten Boom tore into my spirit and agreed with my soul, "Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." May we all take heed. Amen and Amen.

Let's communicate with God every day.

Jail House Rocked

First of all my heart and prayers go out to all those effected by Hurricane Ike, especially my friends in the League City, Texas area. May the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3) meet all your needs and bring His perfect peace to your souls. Amen.

These are certainly troubling times we are living through right now. Loss of life, property, employment, financial security, world stability, peace and happiness are all around us. Lawlessness is alive in some southern cities devastated by one of the worst hurricane seasons in a long time. There's lawlessness in Darfur with severe loss of life for political reasons. Russia invaded Georgia and killed many for political reasons. Tensions are rising in Korea as nuclear weapons are being tested. Iran is building nuclear weapons. Wall Street is seeing high profile companies fall like dominoes one after another. Things don't seem to be much improved in Iraq or Afghanistan. The unemployment rate is nearing all time highs. What is going on in our world? Peace and security seem attainable but never lasts or it's just out of reach. We have short seasons of stability. Like, the price of gasoline drops under $4.00 a gallon. We breathe a sigh of relief and feel like we can make it again. All of a sudden the market goes crazy and the prices rise again. The temporary relief is gone. Back comes all the stress, wondering if we're ever going to make it. All hope seems lost and the future bleak. The glass is no longer half full or half empty. It's just empty. Bone dry. Despair has taken over. We're on survival mode. We're numb, just surviving. We feel imprisoned by our despair and sense of hopelessness. There is yet hope for a hurting world, a hurting and severely wounded soul.

I want to tell you about two guys who, by all outward appearances was up the creek without a paddle. As a matter of fact they didn't even have a boat. These guys was arrested and beaten by the police for talking about historically proven, eye witnessed truths. Why would anyone want to hurt these guys for simply speaking about absolute truths is beyond me, but it happened. They didn't start a revolution or riot. No one was physically hurt or property damaged while they spoke. As a matter of fact all they did was help a young lady who was troubled in mind. But now here they are suffering from police brutality and wrongful imprisonment. If anyone had reason to give up all hope, these two sure did. They were in a high security prison with guards all around them. They were facing the death penalty with no appeal system in place. Most of us, put in their shoes, would give up. We'd probably be put on suicide watch. All hope of rescue would be lost. We would be numb from the trauma of the events taken place. We would feel as though we'd been mortally wounded. "What's the point? Just kill me already and put me out of my misery!" I must admit those words would probably go through my mind even if I wouldn't verbalize them. The feelings of abandonment and resignation would be there. However, these guys started praying and singing songs to the astonishment of those around them. The earth shook and chains literally fell off!! They had faith and hope that carried them through a difficult storm.

It's a true story. These two guys, Paul and Silas, had hope and faith in the One in whom has all power, Jesus Christ. The songs they sang were ancient hymns of praise. Even in the midst of certain doom Jesus is able to save, heal, and deliver. However, there is a catch for this hope, peace, and security to be apprehended by you. You need to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. All it takes in asking Him to come in and cleanse you of your sins, the things you've done wrong. Ask Him to be Your Lord and Savior. You can have peace, hope, and security you never imagined. Your eternal fate will be secure.