and when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father david, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘why did the gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?
the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both herod and pontius pilate, along with the gentiles and the peoples of israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. [acts 4:24-28]
pray changes things.
it changes us. God uses our time with him, communing in prayer – to change us.
it changes the world around us. often, God in his sovereignty brings his order and will into this world in concert with our prayers.
do you believe your prayers matters?
we often wrestle with this. “why pray,” we think?
we pray because God wants to commune with us.
we pray because God wants to change us.
we pray because God wants to join him on his redemptive mission.
today, will you pray believing – God uses your prayer to change things.
let’s pray. use the things below to commune with God, to ask him to change you, and to ask him to change the world around you.
Lord,
Lord here my thanksgiving and my praise… (spend time thanking him for what he has done and who he is. take your time write things down, offer them up in worship.)
seek my heart and see if there is any way in me – that is not your way, your will. point it out and call me to repentance. search me now Lord. (take your time, listen to nudges in your gut, – and write down what he shows you. and, repent.)
Lord, soften ___________ to hear your voice of salvation. let them see their lostness. save them. (pray for lost friends, family, and acquaintances.)
Lord, soften the heart of these believers who need you. (pray for believers – specifically in their need.)
Lord, heal __________ in Jesus name. (pray for healing of bodies and souls.)
in Jesus name, – amen!
~ john ryan