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Private Prayer

 

It seems there are three main kinds of prayer.  Public prayer, small group prayer (Where two or three are gathered together, there I am) and private prayer.  Each kind of prayer is important, but private prayer is the foundation.

We need public prayer often, asking for God's presence, and blessing on the occasion, making it clear that we belong to God and not satan. Making it clear that God is our leader and we are under His direction and care.  Living in His presence in all the business of life.  Public prayer is usually short in duration, but reflects our previous and continuing commitment to God.

Small group prayer, prayer with two to a few people, binds hearts together with God and and each other.  There is much power is small group prayer.  When we pray together as a family, in our home every day, there is a marked difference in our home.  When I meet with a group of women every week, to share our walk with God intercede for each other and other people's needs, we see the power of God change us, and we see miracles happen in other people's lives.  God's presence does join us, and we are encouraged and strengthened in our personal walk with God.  Small group prayers may vary in duration.  But when heart and faith is poured into these prayers they are powerful.

Private prayer though is the foundation of my life.  It happens best when all is quiet, and I'm alone, with only God.  It can never be rushed, and is never finished until I am filled with the Spirit of God and have communed Him.  Once this happens, it can continue all through the day, God and I abiding together.

Without private prayer my spiritual life is like a body without bones and muscles, or like lungs without oxygen.  I need private prayer with God, every day to live.  Without it I could be labeled, "failure to thrive", just like an infant not receiving adequate nourishment.  I just can't grow and be healthy without daily private time with God Seeking God. Talking with God.  Enjoying God presence.  Learning from God.  Surrendering all to God.  Receiving from God.  I can not resist temptations, or hear God's voice well in day time struggles, unless my ear has heard Him in the quiet, in the morning, early, before the pressures build up.

Private prayer time is so different then the other two kinds of prayer.  Just like the way conversation with my husband in public is different from the kind of conversation we have when we are alone.  Both kinds of conversation are important, but without private conversation, our relationship would not thrive.


When I spend time with God in this way, sacrificing a little of my sleep, God more then makes up for it through the day.  He gives me strength and power I have found no where else.  He gives me wisdom to deal calmly with my kids.  He gives me love, peace and joy, for myself, and to give to whoever else I am around.  God is so good.  I desire to spend more and more time with Him.
"Jesus knows the needs of His children, and He loves to listen to their prayers.  Let the children shut out the world and everything that would attract their thoughts from God, and let them feel that they are alone with God, that His eye looks into their inmost heart, and reads the desire of the soul, that they may talk with God.  In humble faith you may claim His promises, and feel that although you have nothing in yourself whereby you may claim the favor of God, because of the merits and righteousness of Christ, you may come boldly to the throne of grace, and find help in time of need.  There is nothing that can make the soul so strong to resist the temptations of satan in the great conflict of life, as to seek God in humility, laying before Him your soul in all its helplessness, expecting that He will be your helper and your defender."  Youth Instructor, July 7, 1892.
Private Prayer
By Barbara

I shut out everything... 
Alone, with God... 
At the throne of Grace...
He sees my heart... 
He reads my desire... 
Heart humility...
Helplessness...
Expectation...
I talk with God.

I Claim His promises...
The favor of God...
Mercy...
Grace...
The merits and righteousness of Christ...
Help for all my need.

My soul is strengthened...
I resist temptations...
He is my Helper and Defender.

Strength and power...
Wisdom...
Love, peace and joy.

 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16.

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  1. ~marci~February 7, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    I needed this today. Thanks for posting. I have some deep burdens I am carrying right now. Fasting and prayer kind of burdens.

    ReplyDelete

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