PROGRESS IN PRAYER!

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PRIDEFUL 

 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves 

that they were righteous, and despised others: 

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, 

one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,

'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, 

unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 

I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' 

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, 

but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified 

rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,

 and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:9-14

PENITENT  

The Pharisee thanked GOD for his own acts of righteousness, comparing himself to others who were sinners in his eyes. He had nothing to receive from GOD. The tax collector was convicted of his sinful state before a Holy GOD and humbly pleading for mercy, was justified.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 

Yet indeed I also count all things loss 

for the excellence of the knowledge of 

Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, 

and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, 

not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, 

but that which is through faith in Christ, 

the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Philippians 3:7-9 

 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, 

his faith is accounted for righteousness,
Romans 4:4-5

PARDON

Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:7

(7)

PENTECOST

 

 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4

Cretans and Arabs-

-we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

Acts 2:11

When believers come together in unity and pray with one mind, as led by the Holy Spirit, GOD answers those prayers with a revelation of His might and His power. It is necessary for Christians to pray together and for one another, confessing their trespassed and forgiving one another. Such prayers bring powerful answers!

 POWERFUL

 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:14-16

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

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PROGRESS

It is important that we progress in our prayer life. Changes in the tone and substance of our prayers are indications of our spiritual growth. We see this progress in the following people:

Job:

 Then Job answered the Lord and said: "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, 'I will question you, and you shall answer Me.' "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes."

Job 42:1-6

Jacob: 

 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."

Genesis 28:20-22

From asking for possessions and positions we will progress to asking for a greater revelation of GOD Himself. 

And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"

Genesis 32:26

The Apostles:

 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village.

Luke 9:51-56

From praying for obstacles to be removed, we will pray for strength and faith to overcome hurdles.

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."

Acts 4:29-30

Freshness in a person’s prayers and enthusiasm to pray indicate a growing vibrant relationship with the Heavenly Father.

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PRIVATE

 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Mark 1:35

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them;

Luke 4:42

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

Luke 5:16

 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:5-6

PUBLIC

There are times when we are led to pray in public, but our motive should not be to glorify ourselves, but to glorify the LORD. At the tomb of Lazarus, JESUS prayed to the Father in public. He addressed the following words to His Father, while being conscious that the people were also listening.

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."

John 11:41-42