From the Pastor

 Pastor Mike Burns

 Victory Church

 903.567.2072 (Ext. 3002) 

 MBurns@wordofvictory.org                                   

 

Monday, January 7, 2013 11:45 AM

Prayer: Keep it Simple

Monday, January 7, 2013 11:45 AM
Monday, January 7, 2013 11:45 AM

In January, our congregation at Victory Church participates in “21 Days of Prayer.” One of the reasons I lead our congregation in this endeavor is to get us started in the right direction for the New Year (especially in our personal prayer lives). It is always an exciting 21 days as we “clean out” the cobwebs that many of us have acquired since Thanksgiving and the holiday season. So, I encourage you to participate with us at Victory or with what your church is doing as we begin 2013.

Over the next 21 days I want to offer you some reasons as to, “Why Do We Pray” as a follower of Jesus Christ. Every 2-3 days I will bring you updates that I hope will encourage you in your walk with Christ. The main thing about prayer is not how much knowledge you have about the topic. The main thing is simply…are you praying? In other words, Just Do It!

                                                Keep Prayer Simple

Sometimes we make prayer to be so much more complicated than is necessary.  Prayer is really a simple way of connecting to God.  Yet some take it to extremes or measures that are more about drawing attention to them. I like what Jesus said in Matthew 6:6. It doesn’t get much simpler.

"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”  (Message Bible)

What we learn from Jesus’ instructions:

1.      Get away to a place of prayer. Preferably a place away from people and all the stuff that is surrounding your everyday life. (Lose the phone and all the other electronic trinkets.)

2.      When you find a quiet place you will be able to hear His voice in your heart and mind. (By the way…don’t be afraid of solitude and quietness OR just hearing your own heart beat! Lol)

3.      When you are by yourself it will be just you and God. You won’t be tempted to impress other people or worry about what they think about you. You are alone…with God.

4.      When you are in a quiet and secluded place you can be honest with God. No one is listening but Him. (He can handle whatever is on your mind!)

5.      When you are in a quiet and secluded place you can respond to God’s presence and God speaking into your heart and mind without worrying about what others think. (Yes, grown men do weep…just not in front of other men. And yes, grown men have been known to want to jump up and give God a “high five” after the grown man finally got it!)

Keep prayer simple by simply doing the simple things.

Pastor Mike

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