Daily Archives: July 2, 2009

What Do You Pray About?

Forgive me for getting so personal but let’s evaluate what our prayers consist of. Are they full of me’s and I’s? “God do this for me…God do that for me…I want you to give me…”

Our prayers are often self-centered with little concern for others. The truth is, however, that it is not all about us. God is looking for people to be concerned about kingdom things. Concerned about His agenda for the world.

Psalm 2:8, “Ask of Me, and I will give the nations to you, the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.”

This is a prayer with God’s Kingdom in mind. “Lord, Give Us The Nations!” Our prayers should also have a focus on seeing people come to Christ. For the Gospel to be brought to every nation and that we would be instrumental in reaching the world for Christ.

This doesn’t mean that we should never pray for our own needs but rather our focus should be on more than just our needs. God wants to do things for His people, but I think we could have a lot more of what He wants not just what we want. God desires to give us the nations. The reason we have to pray for it is that it shows our concern for the nations when we pray.

When is the last time you asked God to give us this city? When is the last time you asked God to give you an opportunity to share His love with someone else?

One pastor told his congregation — "Many of our prayer requests are for the sick rather than for the lost. We are more interested in keeping the saints out of heaven than we are the sinners out of hell."  What A Thought!!!

There is nothing wrong with praying for your needs, but we must balance that with praying for others as well.  We must pray for the lost, our community, our nation and world.  God works through prayer. 

As I was reading the Gospel of Matthew this morning, I noticed that Jesus was describing those who hear or receive the Word and  fall away.  In the parable of the sower Jesus gives us a glimpse of what happens when the gospel is communicated.

The enemy of our souls does not want the gospel preached and will certainly try to hinder its taking root in the lives of people.  Jesus shares four types of people who hear the Gospel and then describes three that fall away.

1.  There is the one who hears but does not understand.
2.  There is the one who hears and receives but trials come and he has no root.
3.  There is the one who hears and receives but the pleasures of this life consume him and he bears no fruit.
4.  There is the one who hears and receives.  He has understanding then goes on to bear much fruit.

As a pastor, and ultimately as a church, I/We must make sure that those who come through our doors and those who hear the Gospel, receive the Word and follow through like number four. 

We must communicate in such a way that people understand.  Our messages must be communicated in such a way that believers and non-believers alike should be able to understand and receive the Gospel.

We must ensure that those who receive the gospel are rooted in the Word and growing in their relationship with Christ.  Somehow, we must find a way to see people move from the Sunday morning service to a life of being rooted in Christ and His Word.  When the trials come, those who have no root will not be able to stand.  It is our duty to help people become rooted that they can stand against life’s storms.

As a church, we must work on helping others become fruitful.  It begins with us being fruitful.  This man in the parable received the Word but was so wrapped up in this life that he would bear no fruit for another life.  How often are we so consumed with the things of this world that we have little time to bear fruit for eternity?  We must find a way to move people into a Kingdom mind-set, balancing this life and working for the next one.

These are thoughts that God is stirring in my heart.  As a pastor, I am responsible for how we disciple others.  I am praying that God will give us a plan to make sure that people understand, take root and bear fruit.