The "ABC"s of Prayer. "U" is for Undaunted

                        I love biographies about men of courage. One of my favorites is Undaunted Courage; the biography of Louis and Clark. Undaunted means a firmness in purpose or belief that is characterized by determination. The biography of Christopher Columbus is also another example of unshakeable resolution and faith. What causes men to demonstrate this type of courage ? Is it the anticipation of catching a glimpse of previously unseen territory that motivated the likes of Louis and Clark ? Could it be the determination that is generated by a confidence in the truth of God’s Word as in the case of Christopher Columbus ? (Isaiah 40:22 ) One thing’s for sure, these demonstrations of impervious resolve are inspiring!

                                I now have a new favorite biography of undaunted courage; that of my Step-Father, Leroy Lawrence. In the midst of battling cancer he has demonstrated an unshakeable faith that is nothing short of amazing. Similar to Louis and Clark, he has demonstrated an anticipation of catching a glimpse of a land he has never seen before. He has mentioned several times that he is looking forward to going “home”. And like Christopher Columbus, he has an assurance that can come only from his faith in the Word of God. I am reminded of the confidence with which Job delivered the words:  “For I KNOW that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” (Job 19:25) I am especially thankful today for men of undaunted courage who inspire the rest of us to do things previously thought unimaginable. After all isn’t that what Christ did for us ? He went undaunted, fearlessly to the cross to inspire us to do things previously unimaginable. Let our lives also be those of unshakeable resolve and faith; of fearless determination like Dad. . . and like our Savior.

The "ABC"s of Prayer - "T" is for Thankgiving

Prayer and Thanksgiving are inseparable. As far back as the account of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, the scriptures have identified the fact that prayer should be approached with an attitude of thanksgiving. In fact, the book of Nehemiah mentions that there were certain Israelites whose principal responsibility in worship was "to begin the thanksgiving in prayer:" (Nehemiah 11:17) This thankful attitude is not only to be in response to answered prayer, but even as we make requests we are to pray with thanksgiving. As the Apostle Paul wrote: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6) So why then is an attitude of thanksgiving such an integral part of prayer? As we embrace and attitude of thankfulness in the midst of our requests, we are acknowledging by faith that we know God not only hears our prayers but will faithfully answer them !

"ABC"s of Prayer. "S" is for Spirit

We have discussed the role of both the Father and the Son in prayer,but we cannot overlook the part the Holy Spirit plays in the most important of Christian disciplines. The Holy Spirit is the Helper to the believer. As we have discussed, Jesus Christ has provided access to the Father, but it is our Helper;the Spirit of God,that literally translates our requests so they can reach the ears of the Father. As the Apostle Paul put it : "... we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." So Christ provides the ability to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy" (Hebrews 4:16) and then the Spirit helps our words to align with the eternal will of God. So should we have confidence when we pray because the Spirit has aligned our prayers with the will of God? "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us" (1 John 5:14) AMEN!