Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Sending Prayers

Sending Prayers

  I have been noticing something lately that causes me some concern. On social network places, on news broadcasts, or articles, I hear and see the phrase “sending prayers out to you.”
  The common phrase used to be “I am, or we are praying for you.” Maybe they mean the same, but maybe not. If a person sends out prayers to you are they asking you to somehow fix your situation? Are we our own God?
  The meaning of prayer according to the New Oxford American Dictionary is, a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship. Prayer is intended to bring in the help of a higher power because the situation is too big for mere mortals.
  Prayer is a truly wonderful thing. The idea that God, the one who created us, loves us, and desires relationship and communication with us is rich and mind boggling. Prayer is a gift. Prayer is powerful when connected to the right source. A prayer sent out willy nilly connects to nothing and has no value. A prayer sent out to the one and only true God has infinite power.
  Prayer, however, can be intimidating because if we get serious and really get on our knees and talk to God, we sense that He might be taking note of us and all our failings and imperfections. The nearer we draw to Him and His perfection the more we become aware of our own sinfulness. Maybe there needs to be some house cleaning before we start making requests of God. No wonder people want to simply toss out a simple “sending prayers to you dear.”
  Scripture (the authoritative source for knowing about God and prayer) tells us that no one can come to the Father unless they come thru the Son. John 14:6 says: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
  When we pray to the Father we must go through His son Jesus. We cannot take a message to the Father without the Son. The Son is clean and sinless. Instead of hearing requests from an unclean vessel God hears the request from a clean one. His Son. Always take Jesus with you when you pray. It is the blood of Christ that covers our sin and makes us worthy of relationship and communication with the Father God.
  If you want your prayers to have power and truly make a difference in someone’s life search out the scriptures and learn how to access God’s power. Search and find what Jesus Christ has done for you.

  “Sending prayers out to you,” is like tossing out a life raft made of cotton candy. Looks good, sounds good, even smells good, but quickly melts away and changes nothing.