Weekend Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Blueprints for a Better Life - A "How To" Guide On Prayer
Read: II Chronicles 7:12-22
Think: Today’s Bible passage above was spoken by God to King Solomon after the Temple was completed. The message to God's people was a call to obedience. Pastor Ben gave us such a call in his teaching this past Sunday. God's priorities are quite clear: remember to call out to Him with a humble heart turning from wicked ways.
Did you really hear what God is asking of us? If, like me, you skim read the passage, please go back and read it slowly. On a piece of paper, maybe your journal, make two columns. Label one God's Part and the other My Part. As you read the passage write down what you observe. By interacting with Scripture this way you will retain more and retain it for a longer time than just reading it.
For several years I have prayed through Scripture. Psalms is a great place to start, you can even skip around. We know from Scripture that God really, really, really liked David :) Why not use his words as your prayer? Some of my favorites are Psalms 27, 33, 51, and 86.
Do: Will you join me in taking up Ben's challenge to stop praying about certain things? There are so many times that we know the thing to do, but lack courage, time, money and/or true desire. Today, let's be mindful of the person in our life who needs us to step towards them and be an answer to their prayer.
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your loving kindness and great patience. Help me to seek you with all my heart and forgive, serve, give and share my faith as You lead. AMEN