HEART OF PRAYER!

3 Ps of Prayer

Praise. Pardon. Petition.

Isn't prayer at the heart of of a Christian's life?

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: 'I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. (Isaiah 57:15, NLT, emphasis mine) 

Intimate, personal communication with God through prayer deepens and strengthens one's relationship with Him. You can pray out loud or in your thoughts, where ever you are alone or in fellowship with a trusted group of fellow believers.

God hears the prayers of those who put their trust in Him.

In essence, the heart of prayer is to communicate with God! 

R - WORDS STILL RUMBLING

Monday's Prayer for Revival group's passage was Titus 3:1-8.

The very first word was Remind----that started those "R"s rumbling in my head again. Part of the reminder from Titus was "be ready!" God had my attention first with remind and I was rapt when a few words later, ready appeared. Rapt. (Was my rapt fascination about to "rapture" me.) BTW, Webster has rapture as an "archaic" term.....he must not have ever gone to my church. But I digress.

More R words that readily jumped off the page, into my heart and out through my praying mouth were righteousness, regeneration and renewal. Repentance was in my marginalia. I think my most comforting "r" word was an adverb, (v.6), referring to God's  richly pouring out on us the Holy Spirit...richly (ESV) ie. abundantly, (NKJV) freely, (NIrV) generously (NLT)

After listing readiness ways in the first 7 verses, verse 8 states, "The saying is trustworthy..." Of course it is, it's God's word. Let's all REST in that truth! 

Thanks to Lisa Dufur who shared her "R" appreciation for the original R word entry, RRRRRRRRRR with some useful "u" words. Would love for others to share as well. (underlines are mine)

I read it and I loved it.  Love the U words too. Where do you get these cool ideas to worship and remind us of his Unfailing love for us? It helps Us Understand his Unlimited power which is so Uplifting. 

3 Rs in ONE'S SPIRITUAL LIFE

Yesterday's sermon had me remembering 3 Rs---Repent, Return to God and be Refreshed (Acts 3:17). Sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness of life that we live overwhelmed and need refreshing. Times of refreshing can come---when we set aside expectations set by ourselves and others in repentance and turn to the Lord.

This time in Memphis.
This time in the eventide with my personal vespers.
This time for worship.
This time inside in my prayer chair

Last summer I also sought refreshment according to God's formula.

Last time in Maine. 

Last time at mid-day, not in the eventide.

Last time, as always, for worship. 

Last time outside in a place for quiet meditation within a sanctuary of God's handiwork. (Psalm 96:11-12)

I felt as if I had ascended the hill of the Lord and was standing in His holy place. (Psalm 24:3)

I'm not young per say but times of refreshing are needed at any age mostly inside my own home but  this sanctuary, in Camden, ME, also filled the bill. It was worth the visit,

CHOOSE: 3Rs

In choosing 3 Rs, I'm not talking about Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, though those Rs are crucial for the continuance of our environment. I'm not even talking about Readin', Ritin' and Rithmetic. Though education is certainly an important factor for many an individual's success in life, I'm talking about the need of our society as a whole.

We need to rise up and pray; for Repentance, for Revival, and for Renewal of basic moral fervor, tender hearts and an increased sense of caring within our communities.

Repentance--includes turning away from wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Revival--revive hearts (Isaiah 57:15)

Renewal---renew a right spirit within (Psalm 51:10)

In a prideful culture that is all about self---self-satisfaction and instant-self gratification, the more folks who choose others over self will certainly bless our nation. An outward focus more than an inward focus certainly refreshes and restores folks around us.

WOW another calculation--repentance, revival and renewal of one's own heart = refreshment and restoration for others! A multiplication of sorts.

Not sure I will be able to attend "Prayer for Revival" group meeting at church next Monday; the beauty of the 3RS for prayer is one can choose it  at any place and anytime. 

Revival is God's arrival.........wherever we are!

"res-TEA-tution"

My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. (Psalm 55:21-22, ESV)

Have you ever stolen someone's joy? Their encouragement in life? Has someone ever robbed you of your joy as his/her action took life, as you had known it and turned it upside down? Was a relationship damaged?

What does it look like to say you're sorry and try, in as much as you're able, to do right and make up for it?

Memories stolen  or stained them. Stolen hope. Stolen encouragement. Stolen joy.

What does restitution require? 

Zacchaeus’s story in Luke 19 gives us a godly pattern for restitution. He admitted his sin and guilt of defrauding people, having cheated them out of what was rightfully theirs. He was truly remorseful over those past actions. Not just in admittance.....but in willingness to change. Such repentance led to restitution.

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'

As a tax collector, he had been 1) guilty of defrauding people, 2) remorseful over his past actions, and 3) committed to making restitution. 
Restitution that demonstrates repentance. (when possible)

We should do the same.

Repentance and restitution are two more tenets of the Christian faith. Fundamentals. Basic Truths.

Repentance + Restitution = Rejoicing.

Repentance served with a cuppa res-TEA-tution brings rejoicing.