From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 6:01 AM

Subject: 2-24-23 THOUGHTS

2-24-23   THOUGHTS            

Jesus was praying, it appears in the presence of his disciples..They asked about the process of praying.  As normal, Jesus told them more than they asked.  They needed to know about the Father-God who would hear their prayers. God had their good in mind.  They needed to know that God wanted their continual praying.  They would not interrupt Him or bother Him!  Prayer was connected to the source of blessings!  God’s Spirit was connected to prayer.  We need to pray more often, and more deeply.  We need to pray more as individuals, and as the Church.  I wish I could have been tutored about prayer by John the Baptist and Jesus!   Wish I could have listened to them pray.  

Luke 11:1-13    It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." 2  And He said to them, "When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. 3  ‘Give us each day our daily bread. 4  ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’" 5  Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6  for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;  7  and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8  "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet  because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9  "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10  "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11  "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12  "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

My Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the awesome privilege of You listening to us in prayer.  How powerful to know that Jesus intercedes for us each time we pray.  Teach us to open our hearts to ourselves and to You.   May we understand fully that you seek not process, but us.  Take us from this busy world to our closets always.  Help to let you mold our hearts as we draw closer to you.  May we receive all the benefits you intend,c nb v   as we pray to you.  May we examine ourselves with honest and pure hearts, as we present them to you for perfecting.  May your Spirit be always in us.       In the name of Jesus our Savior,       Amen.