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

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 6:12 AM

Subject: 8-2-24 THOUGHTS

8-2-24   THOUGHTS

God intends for powerful prayer to be a part of our lives.  Luke 18:1 “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,”   We are never closer to God than when we pray to Him!    Prayer is a skill that encompasses our whole being.  A pure heart takes itself into loving, receiving hands that desire to help!  This is the God who is love, who is most able to help.  The invitation by God to let us into  His presence through prayer is one of His greatest blessings to us.  Anything less than our total best in this closet time is inappropriate.  Surely this is a time for first fruits from us.  

Matt 6:5-15    "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6  "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 7  "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8  "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9  "Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10  ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11  ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12  ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13  ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]]’ 14  "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15  "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

My Prayer:
Father, thank You for receiving us in prayer.  Teach us to pray, powerfully. Keep us from human-side error as we pray.  May we present our humble ALL before You, as we pour out our hearts. Bless us with Yourself.  May we find our place of respite and wholeness.  May we ever abide in Your presence, O God of all creation.  Remove us from a casual life.  Help us to bear joyful fruit in the Kingdom!    In the name of Jesus,   Amen.