DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - THREE PRINCIPLES FOR OUR PRAYERS.

"The time factor in prayer is very important. In the exercise of prayer, God is not tied to our clocks. Neither is He at the other end of the phone to receive and answer our two-minute calls. It takes time to know the mind of God, to shut out the material things of earth, and to be wholly abandoned." -Hugh C. C. McCullough.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. - John 14:12-14.

"Hope and confidence should not be placed in the extent and perfection of organizations, nor in the experience which has been accumulated and the agencies and methods which have been devised in a long century of missions, nor in the unusual strength of the missionary body, nor in the multitude who have been gathered from every nation and race and faith into the native Church, nor in the wonderful resources and facilities of the home Church, nor in far-sighted and comprehensive plans, nor in enthusiastic forward movements and inspiring watchwords. It is easy to magnify human personality and agencies. Prayer recognizes that God is the source of life and light and energy." – John R. Mott.

We need to pray, and prayer is the almighty equipment that God has given us, to accomplish His work, in and through us. However, like any tool there is always the danger of abusing it. When we pray, we must endeavour to do it in the right manner. The sphere of prayer has its Measure, Means, and Might, the three principles by which we are to give our attention to...

MEASURE
“Whatever you ask...” A good definition of Measure: an appropriate restraint, limit or bounds. The measure of our praying or asking, is defined not as a “whatever you want,” but by the measure of who believes in Jesus. The measure of who works... the works of Jesus; The measure of who is glorified... God the Father.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Eph 3:20-21.

The Lord can do far more than we ask or think, and He can do it in superabundance! Because His power is working in us for His glory, and this is measured out to us, by the measure in which we believe in Jesus!! Praise the wonderful name of Jesus!

MEANS
“...In My name...” A good definition of Means: a method, a course of action, or an instrument by which an act can be accomplished or an end achieved. Means; safeguards our praying of excessiveness; Means; is not an end to our prayers, but the beginning. Means; is a belief in the work of Jesus, and to what end He works...

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. - John 16:24.

Jesus explained to the disciples that they hadn’t yet asked Him for anything, because they were not yet convinced, that He was the great mediator, between the Father and mankind. Now they could have the assurance that they may come to the throne, and ask for anything in His name! Hallelujah, we also have the assurance that assurance when we come to the throne, Father hears and answers our prayers, but only through Jesus!

The central significance of prayer is not in the things that happen as results, but in the deepening intimacy and unhurried communion with God at His central throne of control in order to discover a "sense of God's need in order to call on God's help to meet that need" - E.M. Bounds.

MIGHT
“...this I will do...” A good definition of Might: the strength or ability to do something. The ability to answer prayer is not of us, but in Christ. Might; is resting in the strength of Christ. Might; is hoping in the ability of Christ; Might; is trusting in the accomplishment of Christ...

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5.

If the branches of the vine are separated in any way from the vine, they can produce nothing and wither and die, in the same way, if we try to accomplish anything for God, apart from Jesus, it will never succeed, we will wither and die, as some have done! Everything that we attempt for God, must be branded by Christ! Hallelujah, praise His mighty name!

“The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.” - James Hudson Taylor.

WHAT IS THE MEASURE OF OUR PRAYERS? WHAT IS THE MEANS AND THE MIGHT BEHIND OUR PRAYERS? LET IT BE JESUS!

Loving Father, help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to put these principles of communication with you, into practice. In Jesus’ wonderful name I pray! Amen!

GBYAY