From the Preacher's Pen May 2009 
"Love to Pray"
One of the titles of a workshop that Jeff Noel did for us here at Sweet Valley Church of Christ a few years ago was, "Becoming what we say we are!" Jeff pointed out that we of the Restoration Movement claim to be "a people of the book (The Bible) and a people of Prayer". "Becoming what we say we are" would mean that every member of the Church has a love for studying the Bible and a love for prayer. Jesus, you'll remember said "My house will be called a house of prayer." In the month of May God is calling us to Love to Pray. Prayer will be emphasized in each of our worship services. We hope to offer everyone special opportunities to pray so that they may experience the Power of Prayer.
Based on the Book, "Love to Pray" by Alvin J. VanderGriend we find that "to pray is to love God." After all, prayer is the conversational part of the most important love relationship of our lives, our love for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "Prayer is what God makes it" in being the object of our Faith as we pray, "Our Father in Heaven. Hallowed be your name." All the elements of Prayer are part of the love relationship we have with God. In prayer we PRAISE GOD; praise is a personal heart felt response to who God is. Prayers of Thanksgiving are the heartfelt responses to what God gives to us. Prayers of Confession are prayers which restore love's joy as we agree with God in his evaluation of our sinful wrong doings. In Prayers of Petition we claim loves' promises from God. Petition is asking God's blessing on our lives according to God's promises. Prayers of Intercession are offered as we partner in loves' ventures as we pray for others. Intercessors partner with Christ in doing the work of ministry.
We are hoping in the month of May to help encourage every Christian to build their personal prayer life stronger as we come to Love to Pray. E. W. Bounds said, "There can be no substitute, no rival for prayer. It stands alone as the great spiritual force, and this force must be imminent and acting. … Many persons believe in the power of prayer, but not many pray. Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things; the simplest and the sublimest; the weakest and the most powerful. The results of prayer lie outside the range of human possibilities-they are limited only by the omnipotence of God." I trust that in May each of us as we worship will build a consistent time with God in prayer. I pray that each Christian will learn how to pray without ceasing. May this church become a "house of prayer" as every member comes to Love to Pray. It was R. Pratt in his book "Pray with your eyes open" that said, "Few things in life are more precious than time spent alone with God. But nothing is easier to neglect …" May 7 at 7:00 PM come pray with us in the "National Day of Prayer" service.
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