Thanksgiving in Prayer

Kenneth J. Spiller


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The Difference

1. Open your Bibles,
2. Read it slowly,
3. Listen to it,
4. Reflect on it,
5. Obey it. 

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Last week a repeat visitor looked me up after the Sunday morning worship service to hug me and tell me that after we prayed for his father, who was critically ill with kidney failure, the risky dialysis went very well.  Tony’s father is now strong enough to actually take walks.
 
I don’t know why all our prayers are not answered like that—immediately—as we want them to be.  But I suspect God knows quite well.  Most of such times He probably wants to answer in His way in order to meet a deeper need. 
 
And sometimes, I suspect it is because the spiritual Enemy of God has something to do with delaying God’s answer.  That’s what Daniel said about his prayer being blocked.  Daniel said he kept fasting and praying even in sackcloth and ashes.  But the answer didn’t come. 
 
That is, it didn’t come for an agonizing long time to him.
 
Although Daniel was doing the right thing back then, there is always something else involved when God’s people pray.  Something that is really supernatural.  An angel told Daniel: “As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given…your words were heard…but the Prince [of Darkness] resisted me twenty-one days…”  You can read all about it in Daniel, chapters 9 and 10.
 
Something goes on beyond human understanding when you really pray earnestly.  In the spiritual realm there’s a supernatural warfare going on.  A war that we humans do not see or hear. 
 
Daniel said it was beyond his understanding.  But God eventually answered Daniel’s prayer because Daniel was on God’s side.  And God’s side wins!
 
That’s something that’s worth remembering as you pray, isn’t it?

Harold Key

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Adonai- My Great Lord                     Jehovah-Jireh-   The Lord Will Provide
El-           The Strong One                     Jehovah-Rapha-  The Lord Who Heals
El Elyon-  The God Most High              Jehovah-Rohi-     The Lord is My Shepherd
Elohim-    The All-Powerful One           Jehovah-Sabaoth-  The Lord of Armies
El Olam-  The Eternal God                   Jehovah-Shalom-  The Lord of Peace
El Roi-     The God Who Sees Me       Jehovah-Shammah-  The Lord is My Companion
El Shaddai-  The All Sufficient One       Jehovah-Tsidkenu-   The Lord Our Righteousness
Immanuel- God With Us                       

                                                   Jehovah-    I Am        

These are just a few names from the Bible that God has given Himself so you will know how to relate to Him. And this is the God who wants to talk to you.

Have you heard Him today?

Wanda

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Hans Kung’s theological book, On Being a Christian, is 702 pages long, and does not include a chapter or even an index entry on prayer.  When asked later, Kung said he regretted the oversight.  He was feeling so harassed by Vatican censors and by his publisher’s deadlines that he simply forgot about prayer. 

What about you: do you find yourself forgetting about prayer?  Where does prayer rank in your life? A priority? An “in case I need it” remedy?  Forgotten?   What would happen if the people of God put prayer first in their lives?  What would happen if instead of prayer being a last resort (when all our efforts fail), it became the first thing we did?  What would happen if we prayed first instead of last? 

I challenge you this week to give more attention to prayer.  How?  Open and close each day with prayer, keep a prayer journal, whisper prayers throughout your day, find a prayer partner to meet with.  Pray in the car, at work, at home, when things are great, when things are bad.  Don’t forget to pray, pray, pray.

Pastor Kenneth

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Did you know that God already knows everything that you ever have done or will do wrong in your life?  That's right, God is fully aware of the sin in your life.  Whether it was something that you did back when you were a kid or the thing that you did yesterday.  God is totally in the know of it all.  There is no surprise to Him.  God is all-knowing.

I remember hearing something like this most of my life.  As a matter of fact, I think that I have even used some of this language to talk to students before.  Growing up, I use to think that, because God already knew every sin in my life, there really wasn't any need to bring those sins to His attention.  I would simply ask for God's forgiveness of my sins in general and then move on from there.  It wasn't until I was a sophomore in college that I began to realize the need for me to specifically acknowledge the sin in my life.  General confessions were not good enough.  I needed to let God know specifically what I was confessing to Him.  It was about the same time that I realized that God wanted me to specifically confess each sin to Him so that I would recognize the need in my own life.  Such as, those areas of my life that don't reflect Jesus at all or those areas of my life that I need God to work on me.  I came to the understanding that confession is not just about telling God about those wrongdoings, but it is also a time in which I acknowledge the places in my life that I need God to continue to change.

Chances are good that there are things you need to confess to God.  All that you need to do is honestly tell God about it.  And don't forget--it is also a time for you to recognize those areas of your life that you need God to help you in.  Acknowledge that sin and confess it to God.  Take some time to ask God to reveal any sin in your life.  And when the Holy Spirit reveals it, take it to God.

Pastor R.W.

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“Forgive Us Our Debts…”

We recognize these as words from the prayer Jesus taught his gathered disciples to pray.  So we should pray such words when we come together. But when I am alone, I must pray, “Forgive me my debts…” 

It’s much easier for me to confess “everybody sins” instead of painfully looking at my own specific acts, words and thoughts that were sinful and then to confess them to God as the sins that they are. 

Why, instead of spreading the blame on around, must I take responsibility for my wrong choices?  Because only as I accept the blame can I then experience the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness.  When my proud ego (my desire to be justified my way) is crucified with Christ, only then can God raise me a new creation in Christ. And (this is so humbling) I must likewise confess to my fellow-humans my sins against them.

No wonder the Apostle Paul (the former Saul of Tarsus who confessed he was the worst of sinners) could write, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

-- Harold Key

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Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers. (Colossians 4:12)

Prayer is work - very hard work.

Epaphras was “laboring earnestly” in prayer.  The Greek uses the word agonizo-menos. If you look carefully, you will see the word “agonize”.  This is prayer with tears.  Epaphras puts me to shame.

Do I really believe in the sovereignty and majesty of God?  We are exhorted over and over to trust Him.  Prophets consistently remind us that human effort accomplishes nothing unless it is aligned with God. We find example after example of God’s intervention in human history as a result of the believer’s true submission and humility.  And yet, praying seems to be the one thing that I just can’t do very well.  Ask me to pray like Epaphras and I stumble, I resist. 

Notice that Epaphras wasn’t agonizing over his own needs.  (1 Peter 2:9 tells Christians that they are “royal priests.”)  Ephaphras understood the role of the priest – to provide intercession for someone else.  He did the heavy lifting in prayer for others.

I want to be like that, but it seems like every time I pray, my own needs keeping getting in the way of my priestly assignment.  Maybe we need to covenant together.  I will pray for you.  You will pray for me.  I’ll trust that you will do that, so you and I will each be the priest God wants us to be.  OK?

Today's Word

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"He who is alone with his sin is utterly alone." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

That line has always struck me and made me stop and think about my own life.  In his little book Life Together, Bonhoeffer describes what an ideal Christian community would look like, and he started the chapter on "Confession and Communion" with that line.  In his assessment, we work so hard to conceal our sins - from God, from each other and even from ourselves - that we "remain alone in our sin, living in lies and hypocrisy." 

How do we break out of that self-destructive and isolating pattern and what does that have to do with prayer?  Well, here are a couple of things I think we need to consider:

1. We need to start out by admitting that we are sinners.  Yes, that is a powerful and often ugly word and one nobody wants applied to them, but it doesn't make it any less true.  Only with this admission to ourselves can we begin to break the iron grip of pride.

2. We then need to admit our sin to God.  1 John 1:9 says it very clearly, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  In prayer, speaking directly to God, we make clear that our thoughts, words and actions went against His will and way.  Only with this admission can the power of darkness be defeated by the light of Christ.

Most of us stop right here, though, and never go further.  But that is not the way God designed it; and stopping here, especially with deep and repeated sin, can leave us stuck.  It can also allow the grip of pride and the power of darkness to regain their strength and overcome us.  So we need to look at a third step.

3. We need to admit or confess our sins to each other.  James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."  Then 1 John 1:6-7 says, "If we claim to have fellowship with him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."  The Bible is very clear; confessing to each other and praying for each other brings healing.  It also brings fellowship with each other and purity from sin.  Apparently, that only happens through confession and prayer to each other.  Only with this admission can the cloud of guilt and shame be removed and pride and darkness defeated.    

Unfortunately, I have often chosen to avoid this path.  I have chosen to keep my sins private, allowing pride to win.  I have allowed my sins to remain in the dark, wounding me further.  And I have allowed my life to be clouded with guilt and shame.  And when guilt and shame are in control, the Enemy wins, not God. 

So, as you pray this week, start with confession.  Break the grip of pride and power of darkness.  And allow the cloud of guilt and shame to be removed.  There is so much more that could be shared on this subject, like who to confess to, what really needs to be confessed or how to do it.  Time and space won't permit us to do that here. 

But one thing I can say is this . . . trading pride for humility is so much easier.  Trading darkness for light is so much safer.  And trading guilt and shame for grace and forgiveness is so much more liberating.  If you want that, it all begins with prayers of confession to God and with each other. 

Pastor Jim

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Ben Patterson, currently chaplain at Westmont College, California, tells of a time when he ruptured a disc and the doctor prescribed six weeks of total bed rest.  Heavily medicated and lying flat on his back, he found that reading was virtually impossible.  In that incapacitated state, he learned an important lesson about prayer.

I was helpless.

I was also terrified.  What was this all going to mean?  How was I to take care of my family?  What about the church?  I was the only pastor it had, and I could do nothing for it.  Out of sheer desperation I decided to pray for the church.  I opened the church directory and prayed for each member of the congregation, daily.  It took nearly two hours, but since there was nothing else I could do for the church, I figured I might as well pray for it.  It was not piety that made me do it, it was boredom and frustration.  But over the weeks the prayer times grew sweet.  One day near the end of my convalescence, I was praying and I told the Lord, “You know, it’s been wonderful, the prolonged times we’ve spent together.  It’s too bad I don’t have time to do this when I’m well.”

God’s answer came swift and blunt.  He said to me, “Ben, you have just as much time when you’re well as when you’re sick.  It’s the same twenty–four hours in either case.  The trouble with you is that when you’re well, you think you’re in charge.  When you’re sick, you know you’re not.”

Taken from Philip Yancey’s book, Prayer.

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In prayer, we most often we think we must concentrate upon God hearing us; however, the true relationship in prayer is for us to concentrate until we hear God....Kierkegaard.

I Kings 19    A still small voice spoke to Elijah....
Isaiah 6         I heard the voice of the Lord saying...
Jer. 1            The word of the Lord came to me saying...      
Luke 1          Mary of Nazareth heard the Angel's annunciation....
Mark 1          Jesus after his baptism:  'a voice came from heaven'    

......that same voice from heaven is telling you:  Call to me and I will tell you great and hidden things you do not know.  Jer 33:3

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A team of neuron-psychiatrists has been studying the human brain for almost thirty years. One of their chief tools is spectrographic imaging—somewhat similar to MRI. 

Almost thirty thousand subjects, both healthy and sick, have been studied.  I found it fascinating to visit their website (www.amenclinic.com) and see the numerous “black holes”—the non-functioning parts—in the brain resulting from various factors:  aggression, Alzheimer’s Disease, brain trauma, substance abuse, marital problems, learning disabilities, dyslexia, Aspergers Syndrome, dementia, addiction, suicidal behavior, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, work problems, and more.

Now get this.  The clinic shows that very similar holes are caused in the brain by the emotions of prolonged anger, anxiety, and guilt as well as from physical abuses.  But, differing from unrepairable holes resulting from physical trauma, the holes produced by hurtful emotions can heal when the destructive emotions are removed.

At last modern science has confirmed what Christian teaching has been saying all along regarding our need to deal with sin in its effects both outwardly and inwardly.  There is no such thing as “victimless crime.” And there is no such thing as victimless sins.  That’s why we are to take very seriously the lingering effects of unresolved guilt and anger. 

Unresolved guilt and anger not only make figurative holes in the relationship between offenders and offended, but they make literal holes in the brains if confession and prayer to and for each other does not occur.

James 5:14-16 makes such good sense spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Harold Key

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To understand that the work of prayer involves a learning process saves us from arrogantly dismissing it as false or unreal.  If we turn on our television set and it does not work, we do not declare that there are no such things as electronic frequencies in the air or on the cable.  We assume something is wrong, something we can find and correct.  We check the plug, switch, circuitry until we discover what is blocking the flow of this mysterious energy that transmits pictures.  We know the problem has been found and fixed by seeing whether or not the TV works. 

It’s the same with prayer.  We can determine if we are praying correctly if the requests come to pass.  If not, we look for the “block”; perhaps we are praying wrongly, perhaps something within us needs changing, perhaps there are new principles of prayer to be learned, perhaps patience and persistence are needed.  We listen, make the necessary adjustments, and try again.  We can know that our prayers are being answered as surely as we can know that the television set is working.

From Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline available in the LRC

Now What? 

1)      Identify anything that is ‘blocking’ your prayers.
2)      By the power of the Holy Spirit, ask God to help you remove those "blocks."

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Have you ever prayed that God would perform a healing?  I am sure that most of us have prayed this type of prayer at least once in our lives.  Maybe there was a time in which your child got sick with the flu and you prayed that God would heal their body.  Maybe there has been a time in which you prayed that God would emotionally heal somebody after they experienced a tragedy in life.  Or maybe there is somebody that is at odds with another person and you have prayed that the relationship would be healed.  As I am typing out this thought, there are people that have been crossing my mind that fit into each of these categories.  Healing prayers are often a part of our conversation with God.

When I pastored in Ohio there was a lady who had been battling pancreatic cancer for nine (9) years.  Most people die from this cancer within six months.  She had battled this for almost a decade.  She was a living example of healing prayer.  I can remember quite a few times in which her blood counts would be extremely low.  Her husband would call upon the church to be in prayer for her.  Countless numbers of people would join together in a chorus of prayer for God's healing touch to be upon Brenda.  God would supply the healing that was needed for the moment.  To my knowledge, Brenda is still battling the pancreatic cancer today.  God has been her source of healing each step of the way.

Brenda's story has always reminded me of the story in the Bible about the woman who had suffered with bleeding for twelve years.  She knows that Jesus could heal her.  And the moment in which the woman touches Jesus' robe, she is healed of her condition.  Jesus is the healer.  Jesus healed people then and is still healing people today.  1 Peter 5:7 instructs us to cast all of our cares upon Jesus.  If you or somebody you know is in need of healing today, lift that person up in prayer to Jesus.  And don't stop praying until the healing is complete.  Brenda's family still prays that God's healing will be complete in her.  You should do the same as well.

Pastor R.W.

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At midnight December 31, 1952, Lawrence Grimes, a very dear friend, blacked out in our church gathering in Memphis.  He was hospitalized and went to surgery.  After opening his skull, the team of five leading neurosurgeons stopped the operation to report to Lawrence's wife and me their worst fears--advanced brain cancer.  Katherine fainted.  When she revived she asked me to make the decision as to what the surgical team should do. 

I asked the chief neurosurgeon as to the prospects of success.  Dr. Shybert said there were none.  He said they could remove as much of the tumor as they could reach, but Lawrence would certainly be blind and probably vegetative afterward.  But without surgery, two months of agony was probably the limit of his life.

I directed them to close the opening and medicate as needed to ease seizures and pain.

We enlisted our congregation (and others) to fervently pray as we had never prayed before. 
Lawrence's seizures did not return.  After two weeks he was dismissed from the hospital.  He returned to work, advancing to manager of Delta Chemical Company and was occasionally sent to other countries, retiring thirty-one years later in 1983.  He went to be with the Lord year before last in 2006.

Thank God for the skills of physicians.  Use them when needed.  But thank God for the Great Physician who sometimes is the ultimate Healer.  Lawrence Grimes is a striking testimony of that.

Pastor Key

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The subject of healing prayer has been particularly tough for me to capture on paper.  In the life of our church, we have prayed for many who have been ill.  God, in his Wisdom, answered us in the way He thought best.  But here is a little something I learned.

The original text for the word “heal” in the Old Testament is Rapha:  to mend by stitching, to heal, physician, repair thoroughly, and to make whole.  The definition in the original text is enhanced in the New Testament.

Therapeia: to wait upon menially, to relieve of disease, cure, heal, worship, a menial servant (as if cherishing).  Here is a new twist on healing...to be waited upon by Jesus!!!  I remember being nursed back to health by my mom, but it never crossed my mind that He was waiting on me, as well. Whatever the illness, you are not alone.

When my mother was having stents placed in her renal arteries, she was placed under mild sedation.  At one point, she woke up and became aware of the nurses and doctors busy about the room doing what they were trained to do, bringing about healing. Then she became aware of someone walking around in the room who seemed detached from the activity going on.  Her first thought was, "Wow they let anybody in here."  Then he was beside her bed looking at her; she was taken aback by his beautiful, brilliant eyes.  He had light surrounding his head and was dressed in a white robe.  He was not tall or of big stature.  She wanted to ask him who he was, but she could not speak.  Realizing she was staring at him she became embarrassed and turned her head.  From her peripheral vision, she saw the hem of his garment rise.

Matthew 10:1 says He gave power to his disciples to heal.  So while the doctors and the Body of Christ are doing what we do, He is doing what He does…..waiting on you and cherishing you.

Wanda Martinez

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Be on the lookout for mercies.  The more we look for them, the more of them we will see. Blessings brighten when we count them.  Out of the determination of the heart, the eyes see.  If you want to be gloomy, there’s gloom enough to keep you glum; if you want to be happy, there’s gleam enough to keep you glad.   Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings by counting your troubles.
                                  – Maltbie D. Babcok.   

What are you thankful for?  When was the last time your prayer time consisted of nothing but expressing thankfulness to God?  No requests, no complaints, nothing but pouring out your heart in gratitude for what God has done and who He is.  Would that change your perspective?  Our outlook on life would change if we noticed our blessings and were grateful for them instead of taking them for granted. 

I like the prayer of Susan Lenzkes, “Jesus, please teach me to appreciate what I have before time forces me to appreciate what I had.”  Tell God this week what you’re thankful for and if you’re thankful for a person, let them know too. 

Pastor Kenneth

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This is the month of the year that we really take time to focus on what we are thankful for.  Some of you probably sit around the dinner table on Thanksgiving day and share with friends and family about the things that fit into this category.  Some of that list might include health, family, financial provisions, etc.  Although it is good to let God know just what you are thankful for during this time of the year, it is even more important to make this a regular practice in your daily prayer time.

I was reading a book recently where the author talked about the first thing that he and his wife would say to God in the mornings.  The two of them would shout these words:  "We're awake!  Thanks God!"  This couple realized that each and every new day was something to thank God for.  In my personal prayer time, I spend time thanking God for the new day, lessons from the previous day, and what He has blessed my life with.  Sometimes the thanksgiving is longer than the petition part of my prayer time.  But it is necessary to thank God--it is totally necessary!

If you don't already spend time including thanksgiving in your prayer time, here is a work week schedule to consider implementing as part of your prayer time.  It can take as short or as long as you would like.  But it will certainly help you get into the practice of sharing with God about your thankfulness.  Here it is:

Monday--Thank God for family--both immediate and extended.
Tuesday--Thank God for friends.
Wednesday--Thank God for Parkgate Community Church.
Thursday--Thank God for provisions He has given you--job, food, home, etc.
Friday--Thank God for His characteristics in your life.

You certainly don't have to follow this suggestion.  However, if you try it out, crafting a time of thanksgiving prayer may just become a vital part of your prayer time.  And you might just find out that have a lot to be thankful to God for.

Pastor R.W.

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Financial markets collapsed!  Home values less than what is still owed!  More than a million jobs lost in the last ten months!  An untested candidate elected to lead the nation through trouble waters!  Plus fighting two active wars!

And I ask you to be thankful?  Do I ask you to actually say such words in genuine prayer to God?
No, I don’t.  But God does.  In fact, His word says clearly, “Always give thanks to God for everything.” (Ephesians 5:20)  “In everything, by prayer and petition, give thanks to God.” (Philippians 4:6)  “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Shall I cite more Scriptures that say, “give thanks," because there certainly are plenty more? 
 But how can we be sincerely thankful in all circumstances?  We can’t.  That is, we can’t unless we are people with deep faith in God.   But, if we truly believe that God is in ultimate control of everything and really loves us, then we trust that He sees matters that we can’t see and He is doing things that we at present are unable to understand.  We take Him at His word in Romans 8:28 that says, “God is working for our good in everything.”  That wonderfully makes a hole in the dark clouds above us.
So, go ahead and don’t wait until November 27 to tell your Heavenly Father, “Thank You.  Thank you for everything.” 
Soon you’ll be very glad you did, especially when you get the chance to tell Him that to His face.

Pastor Key

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Thanksgiving in Prayer parsimonious

I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your turned away your anger, and comforted me.

See, you are my salvation, I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for you are my strength and my song, and have become my salvation.

With joy I will draw water from the wells of salvation. And I will say in that day:
              "Give thanks to the Lord,
              Call upon His name,
              Make known His deeds among the nations,
              proclaim that His name is safe and strong.
              Sing praises to the Lord for He has done gloriously,
              let this be known in all the earth.
              Shout and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Zion,
              for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Taken from Isaiah 12

To reflect a heart of thanksgiving and gratitude to all the nations for what God has done for us starts in our homes where we live.  From there it leaks out the front door, down the street and around the corner.
                 If your thankful and you know it,
                 Then your face will surly show it,
                 If you thankful and you know it,
                 Say AMEN!

Wanda Martinez

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