An Honest Prayer

By Jordan Stone

You do not have to spend a great deal of time in the book of Psalm to notice that the Psalms of David are incredibly schizophrenic in nature. One minute he is in anguish and the next minute he seems to be writing a joyful chorus. For example, take Psalm 13:

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him,"
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

For four verses David bares his soul before the Lord. He is upset. He is broken. He is questioning. But, he does not lose sight of God's providential blessing for he still will rejoice and sing to the Lord. May our prayers be example of such honesty and understanding that even in the hard time God is still good.

Prayer as Worship

By Stan Rhoden

John Piper says this about worship: “true worship comes from people who are deeply emotional and who love deep and sound doctrine. Strong affections for God rooted in truth are the bone and marrow of biblical worship. Biblical worship involves some kind of outward act. The very word in Hebrew means to bow down. Worship is bowing, lifting hands, praying, singing, preaching, performing rites of eating, cleansing, ordaining and so on”.

Worship stirs our affections for God. Worship is not just singing it is a way of life. One of the most powerful ways we can worship is through prayer. Through prayer we show gratitude and adoration, we come and bow before him and lay our selves at his throne, prayer is a very precious and intimate time of worship with our Lord. David through the Psalms shows us what it is to worship God through Prayer.

In Psalm 69:1-3 we see David crying out to the Lord to save and restore him:
“Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life. I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflow me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God…”
This verse shows the great worth of our God, and how David feels about him. David is saying that no matter what happens to him and how bad life may get, that the potential, the very thought of God is better then any substance of anything else. David is worshiping God; he is proclaiming His worth and greatness. The book of Psalms are prayers worshiping God knowing that He is far greater, that His ways and thoughts are higher then ours and there is nothing better. (Isaiah 55:9)

God created us to worship. Every time we pray we worship. No matter what the circumstance – grief, anger, or joy – our communication with God brings Him glory because we acknowledge that He is bigger and better. As we pray throughout the week, may we not forget that we are worshiping, I pray we take the time to engage Him and allow Him to speak to us. As we come in on Sunday mornings for a time of corporate worship, may it we an overflow of what God has done and revealed to us that week.

Weekly Prayer Calendar - August 25-31

Monday - Leadership - Isaiah 52-53

Tuesday - Marriages - Ephesians 5:25-33

Wednesday - Family - 1 Peter 5:8

Thursday - The Lost - Luke 23:34

Friday - God’s impact on the surrounding community through Providence - 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Saturday - Sunday Morning Worship - Psalm 111:1

Sunday - The Direction of Providence - Jeremiah 31:33

Prayer Request

By Caesar Hemogeno

Kindly pray for my Bible study at Samaritan Inn where the word of the Lord will come alive in each of the residents that attend my meetings. I don’t know if everyone that attends my Bible study is a Christian but I am hoping that the word of the Lord and His grace would soften their hearts for the gospel. During my meetings, I observed that there are hurts that need healing, lives have been shattered through divorce, and a hope of a new beginning is desired by everyone. I am working on gaining their trust where they can be themselves when I am around.

To share a little background, the initial intent of the Bible study was primarily designed for men but as the word got out, several women have been attending on a regular basis. In their humble situation, the women especially had been unable to show transparency to share what’s going in their lives. The men on the other hand, found the Bible study to be a forum where they are able to express their frustrations, desire to be back in the community and wanting to have a stable job. At times, I just listen and praise the Lord for His meekness.

My goal for the next couple of months is for our congregation to meet these men and women. To let them know that hundreds of people have been praying for them.

Praying with Emotion

By Jordan Stone

For many people (Christians and non-Christians) the idea of praying with emotion is a foreign concept. The examples of prayer that they see and hear are far from emotional, yet Scripture is full of emotional cries to the Lord - just read the Psalms. For this post's purposes I would like to focus on the prayer of Hannah.

Hannah's story is found in 1 Samuel and here is a quick overview . . . Hannah was deeply devoted to her husband Elkanah, but the Lord had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:5) and she was childless. Year after year went by and still no child was given, yet she continually and earnestly sought the Lord in prayer. So earnest in fact that one time the temple priest Eli mistook her passionate prayers for drunkenness. "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." (1 Samuel 1:15-16)

Eli then tells her to go in peace and, "may the God of Israel grant what you have asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:17) Sure enough the Lord opens her womb and blesses her with a son named Samuel. Let us notice her response in chapter 2:

Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.

"There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God."

In the prayers of Hannah hear a heart that yearns for the Lord. Hear a child-like cry for His presence. Hear a woman who overflows with joy uncontainable. Hear that God is good. May our prayers be tinged with emotion that comes from a heart that has been ruined by the goodness and mercy of our Great God.

Involving and Teaching Your Children

By Amanda Shelton

As we strive to be intentional in the spiritual teaching of our children, I urge you during this season of prayer and fasting to not only participate, but to use your participation as an opportunity to talk with your children about the practice of prayer and fasting and what it means for your relationship with God.

There are seasons in life when we give up things that normally play a large role in our day-to-day activities, in this case eating, in order to more eagerly and deliberately pursue the Lord through prayer. Just as we are intentional in our pursuit of God, so should we be in how we communicate this new season with our children.

Children notice when things change. When mom and dad don’t sit down for dinner, when snacks are left unopened and dessert left unprepared, children understand that something out of the ordinary is going on. Take the opportunity to have an open dialogue about why you and your spouse are not eating. Explain that when we go without, it is so that we can pursue the Lord in a more disciplined and uninterrupted manner. Explain that while food is a gift from God and something that we can partake of in worship, foregoing eating for a season can serve to renew purpose, insight and direction and increase worship and trust.

Instead of catching up on the day over a family meal, think of the testimony as your children watch you come together in prayer for your church. Instead of hearing the latest news or the plans for the coming weekend, imagine how powerful it would be for your children to hear you call out to God for wisdom and direction. Instead of the laughter and casual conversation that may accompany the normal dinnertime, think of the significance in a home in quiet contemplation and sober prayer.

Consider also ways you can encourage your children to fast. Maybe your child can fast from television, video games, or a favorite toy or electronic. Be creative in involving your children and helping them to see the part they can play in prayer and fasting. Walk through this practice with them, helping them to pray and worship as they give up some form of entertainment. What a sweet time you can share with your child as you seek the Lord together!

As with every act of worship, we want to deliberately communicate the heart behind the things we are practicing. As you obediently spend time in prayer and fasting during this season, make sure you are being careful to talk openly, pray openly and worship openly before the God who sees.

May the things you partake of and the things you refrain from serve to reveal to your children your love for God and His glory.

Text Message Prayer Reminder

In an effort to best communicate and raise awareness of various prayer needs within our body we are now offering prayer reminders via text messaging. If you are interested in receiving these reminders contact info@insideprovidence.com, provide your name and appropriate mobile number, and we will send you a text this week!