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Luke 5:15-16 tells us that at the very height of Jesus’ popularity, as crowds came from near and far to hear Him speak and receive healing at His hands, that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Jesus had a relationship with the Father which can only be described as absolute perfection; “If you really knew Me, you would know My Father as well. Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:7,9). We long for and desperately seek the presence of God, but Jesus Christ IS the very presence of God: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:1,14).

And though He had perfect union with the Father, created the entire Universe, and demonstrated complete control over the elements of nature as He “rebuked the wind and the raging waters” (Luke 8:24), Jesus still made time to be alone with the Father in prayer. Why?

Prior to the important decision of choosing His twelve apostles, Jesus “went out to a mountainside and spent the night praying” (Luke 6:12). On the night before He was crucified, Jesus was in such anguish that He prayed until “His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). Jesus, through His life and death, taught us how we ought to relate to God...and it’s a lesson we must not ignore!

If Jesus, who is Perfection, demonstrated such need of prayer, how much more necessary is it for us who contain so many flaws and so easily drift away from God. We cannot wave our hand to calm the storm, we must pray for patience and the strength to endure, and relentlessly ask for His help. We are to live in such constant communion with God that we “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), even as we drive in busy traffic, manage multiple assignments, or care for noisy children.

But each of us must also set aside time, which is “often” and regular, where we can withdraw to a quiet place. Yes, the presence of God can be found in the midst of our busyness, but we all need times of quiet where we can be refreshed and receive direction – times when we can simply lift our hearts to God and say “Thank You!”

Let’s develop and maintain the discipline of entering the courts of His presence. Let’s regularly set aside times of quiet to get alone and pray.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.05. Live for God, on purpose, following Christ’s example and continually seeking the Father in prayer.

Victory Through Prayer

What is the single-most overlooked opportunity for every believer to obtain victory? The answer, quite simply and obviously is prayer! Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” It doesn’t get any better than that!

Unfortunately, many have misunderstood prayer, and have attempted to make it into some difficult and elusive exercise that demands extraordinary study and practice in order to perfect, or even make effective. Nothing could be further from the truth.

There are countless numbers of books that have been written on the subject of prayer, as well as teaching on methods and procedures claiming to be some newly revealed or discovered methodology for achieving effective prayer. But, the reality is, prayer is not difficult to do, not limited to only a studied few, nor available only to those with years of practice and experience.

But, the Bible is quite clear four very important principles needed to touch God and pray effectively. This Sunday, we will continue our “Victory is Mine in 2009!” series as we address this subject and learn how to achieve “Victory Through Prayer!” Don’t miss it!

The Power Of Prayer

by Alan Smith

One of Erma Bombeck’s favorite Jewish grandmother stories involves a grandmother who took her grandson to the beach. She put a sun hat on him and then dozed off to sleep as the little boy played with his bucket and shovel in the sand. Suddenly, a large wave came in and dragged the child out to sea. The grandmother woke and was devastated. She fell to her knees and prayed, “God, if you’ll save my grandson, I promise I’ll make it up to you. I’ll join whatever club you want me to. I’ll volunteer at the hospital, give to the poor and do anything that makes you happy.”

Suddenly, another huge wave came in and tossed her grandson on the beach at her feet. She noticed there was color in his cheeks and his eyes were bright. He was alive!

As she stood up, however, she seemed to be upset. She put her hands on her hips, looked skyward, and said sharply, “He had a hat, you know.”

Though we may not always get everything we want when we pray, the Bible teaches a great deal about the power of prayer. Prayer truly makes a difference. As James said, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16).

We see it happen time and again in the scriptures. Abraham’s servant prayed and Rebekah appeared. Hannah prayed and Samuel was born. Isaiah and Hezekiah prayed, and 185,000 Assyrians were slain. After three years of drought, Elijah prayed again and rain came. The church in Jerusalem prayed and Peter was released from prison. That’s just a small sampling of answered prayer in the Bible.

We’ve seen it happen in our own lives as well. We do not receive everything we ask for (even the apostle Paul didn’t), but we have seen God’s answers time and again — for sickness to be healed, for safety through difficult times, for the wisdom to make right decisions, for needs to be provided.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

Praise be to God – our Heavenly Father – who is willing to hear us and cares enough about us to answer our prayers. Most of us have been more than willing over the years to carry our burdens to God and tell Him what we want. May I suggest that you take some time today to give God your thanks for the many times He has heard and answered.

This article by Alan Smith, Senior Pastor of the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina. You can visit his site at http://www.TFTD-online.com

Imagine Hearing This

Imagine praying and hearing this:

“Thank you for calling My Father’s House. Please select one of the following four options:
• Press 1 for requests.
• Press 2 for thanksgiving.
• Press 3 for complaints.
• For all other inquiries, Press 4.”

What if God used the familiar excuse:
“All of the angels are helping other customers right now. Please stay on the line. Your call will be answered in the order it was received.”

Can you imagine getting these kinds of responses as you call on God in prayer?
• “If you’d like to speak with Gabriel, press 1.
• For Michael, press 2.
• For any other angel, press 3.”
• “If you want King David to sing you a psalm, press 6.”
• “For reservations at My Father’s House, simply press the letters J-O-H-N on the keypad, followed by the number 3-1-6.”
• “For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth and where Noah’s ark is, wait until you get here!”
• “Our computers show that you have called once today already. Please hang up immediately.”
• “This office is closed for the weekend. Please call again Monday.”
End of message.

Thank God, you can’t call Him too often!!! You only need to ring once and God hears you. Because of Jesus, you never get a busy signal. God takes each call and knows each caller personally. When you call and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help and He will say: “Here am I.”

And when you call: Emergency Phone Numbers

• When in sorrow, call John 14
• When men fail you, call Psalm 27
• If you want to be fruitful, call John 15
• When you have sinned, call Psalm 51
• When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34
• When you are in danger, call Psalm 91
• When God seems far away, call Psalm 139
• When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11
• When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23
• When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 Cor. 13
• For Paul’s secret to happiness, call Col. 3:12-17
• For idea of Christianity, call 1 Cor. 5:15-19
• When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31-39
• When you want peace and rest, call Matt. 11:25-30
• When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90
• When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30
• When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121
• When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67
• For a great invention/opportunity, call Isaiah 55
• When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1
• How to get along with fellowmen, call Romans 12
• When you think of investments/returns, call Mark 10
• If you are depressed, call Psalm 27
• If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37
• If you’re losing confidence in people, call 1 Cor. 13
• If people seem unkind, call John 15
• If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126
• If you find the world growing small, and yourself great, call Psalm 19

Emergency numbers may be dialed direct. No operator assistance is necessary. All lines are open to Heaven 24 hours a day!

The best form of spiritual exercise is to touch the floor regularly with your knees.

Does Prayer Change Things?

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything? Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances? No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future? No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies? No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires? No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world? No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.

Does prayer change your regrets from the past? No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you? No, not always, but it will change you – the problem isn’t always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can’t explain? Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!

So does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING? Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!

A Buzzard, a Bat, and a Bee

Did you know...

If you put a buzzard in a pen six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

A bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat, and the bee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there “Above” them.

Let’s Practice What We Preach

by Jim Grams

“Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven – healed inside and out.” – James 5:13-15 (The Message)

Stock market got you down? Pray. Is your heart still pumping? Sing. Are politicians troubling you? Pray. Can you feel God’s presence? Sing. You get the message!

Isn’t it amazing how easily we get frustrated and lose the sense of victory in our lives? We get all bent out of shape over the smallest stuff. Praying and singing actually work...so why do we so often wait and use them as a last result? When I was a kid and got sick, the first thing my Dad and Mom did was to pray over me. There weren’t many visits to the doctor’s office back then. I wasn’t healed every time they prayed, but God’s ability to heal was never in doubt. And, they set a marvelous example for me of seeking God in prayer when faced with difficulties.

A smile is a wonderful gift.

A kind word can change a life.

A song will lift your spirit.

A prayer is a powerful force.

Let’s practice what we preach or quit preaching. Let’s really believe what we say we believe...and then live like we believe it. May God give us the courage to share Christ every single day...actively seeking Him for the strength and joy to enter our personal mission fields wearing His name and character. Trust me, He wears well.

as seen in “Today’s HomeWord,” a daily devotional with Jim Burns. Visit them online at www.homeword.com

The Last Impression

An elementary teacher started a new job at a school in Arizona and trying to make a good impression on her first day, explains to her class that she's a Cardinals fan. She asks the class to raise their hands if they too are Cardinals fans. Everyone in the class raises their hand except one little girl.

The teacher looks at the girl with surprise and says: "Mary, why didn't you raise your hand?"

“Because I'm not a Cardinals fan," she replied.

The teacher, still shocked, asked: "Well, if you're not a Cardinals fan, then who do you support?"

"I'm a Steelers fan, and proud of it," Mary replied.

The teacher could not believe her ears. "Mary, why are you a Steelers fan?"

"Because my mom and dad are from Pittsburgh and my mom is a Steelers fan and my dad is a Steelers fan, so I'm a Steelers fan too!"

"Well," said the teacher, in an obviously annoyed tone, that's no reason for you to be a Steelers fan. You don't have to be just like your parents all of the time. What if your mom was a moron and your dad was a idiot, what would you be then?"

Mary said, "I'd be a Cardinals fan."

For anyone who doesn’t know – I’m from Pittsburgh. Although I have lived away from “the ‘burgh” longer than I ever lived there, one never leaves “the Steeler Nation!” I will be watching the SuperBowl this Sunday night in my Roethlisburger jersey, drinking appropriate soft drinks from my Steelers mug, and waving my original Terrible Towel. Go Stillers!

I am anticipating God doing great things in our midst this week as we focus on the most important thing a Christ-follower can do – communicate with God in Jesus’ name. If you want victory in your life, then there is no substitute for prayer! I am looking forward to seeing God’s people open up their hearts to God as they learn these most important principles of Victory Through Prayer! Be sure to join us here at WFA this Lord’s Day!