(CS4U) Prayers

RISE AND SHINE CHRISTIAN SERVICES March 30 & 31, 2011 Discover yourself to reclaim your destiny Meditations for your quiet moments God Hears Your Prayers John records, 'Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick". Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus and because they went, Jesus responded. The healing didn't take place for several days, but it was set in motion the moment the Lord was called on. Have you ever wondered where your prayers go? 'There was silence in Heaven And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden pan, with the prayers of all God's people. The angel put this offering before the throne. The smoke went up  to God with the prayers of God's people' Revelation 8:1-4. Why was there silence in Heaven? Because someone was praying! Heaven pauses to hear the prayers of someone like you. The prayers of all God's people went up to God. Isn't that awesome! Your words don't stop until they reach the heart of God, so keep praying. Notice, the friend who went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus said, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.' He didn't base his appeal on the imperfect love of the one in need, but on the perfect love of Jesus. He didn't say, 'The one who loves you is sick.' He said, 'The one you love is sick.' That's different. The power of prayer doesn't depend on the virtue of the one who prays, but on the unchanging love of the one who hears. Aren't you glad? You may be deeply flawed, you may not understand the mystery of prayer, but this much is clear: action begins in Heaven when someone on earth prays. Convince Yourself, Not God With a crowd thronging Him, Jesus was touched by a lot of people that day Mark 5:31, but only the touch of one woman drew a response from Him. And her touch sparked off instant healing in her body, releasing her from a sickness that had plagued her for 12 years. Do you want to know how to touch God and receive the miracle you need? When the woman heard that Jesus was coming by her village, she said to herself, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." On her way to see Jesus, she probably told herself many times, "If I touch His clothes, I will be healed. I will be made whole." We don't know how long she had been saying that to herself, but she was convinced that Jesus would heal her. If you are sick, convince yourself that Jesus is your healer and that by His stripes you are healed. You don't need to convince God. He is not the one who needs to be persuaded because His blessing is already on you! It is you who needs to be persuaded that God has already given you your miracle. That is the reason you confess His Word — to convince yourself, not God, to persuade your heart, not His. Some people confess their faith to others to convince God indirectly. For example, if they are believing God for healing, they go around telling their friends, "I am believing God for healing." They are actually trying to convince or persuade God to heal them. They are telling God, "I've told so many people what I am believing You for. It would be very embarrassing if You don't make it happen." Their confession proceeds from unbelief and is used to manipulate God. It is okay to tell others if you want to, so that they can stand in faith with you for your miracle. But don't do it to prove your faith to God and to convince Him. You just need to convince yourself that God loves you and delights in blessing you. Just say to yourself, "By His stripes I am healed. I will not suffer lack. I am greatly blessed, highly favoured, deeply loved!" And let God take care of the rest. Share this with a friend Send us your Prayer Requests Feel free to unsubscribe risetoshine@hotmail.co.uk