Visionary Moments with Pastor Crenshaw - Keep It Simple!
What prompts you to pray? For some it is a crisis or calamity. Many are prompted by an unexpected diagnosis, discouraging prognosis or tragic event. A more meaningful question is why do you pray? As new converts most of us presented to God a catalog of desires or simply asked God to solve it, stop it, take it away or give me more of it.
When you pray, concentrate on the focus of your prayers. Unintentionally, sometimes our prayers become models of selfishness. Our prayers may consist of things we genuinely need however in some instances; we pray so intently for self that we forget we are our brothers' keeper.
The model prayer Jesus shared with the disciples is simple. At a time when all the majesty of Heaven was to be revealed, Jesus kept it simple. When revealing to us how to grasp the keys to the Kingdom, our Master keeps it simple. He charges us not to reiterate empty phrases and commands us not to repeat buzz words. Jesus teaches us that our prayers only need to be sincere, honest and real.
Our Savior patiently awaits fellowship with us. The mature Christian has learned the Father lovingly encourages us to establish a prayer life that reflects a meaningful relationship, not simply a wish list. We have been invited to that sacred sanctuary where the True Source dispenses resources.
The Lords Prayer as recorded by Luke focuses on daily living, looking not to tomorrow but concentrating on today. Jesus reveals to the disciples what should have been obvious; life is a daily gift that can only be given by God. The more we focus on each moment the more mindful we are of the blessings in our existing circumstances.
Jesus' prayer pushes us toward a life of substance and significance. When it comes to prayer, Jesus prefers genuine communication. Grand and eloquent speech has its place, but when it comes to prayer, Jesus prefers if we keep it simple.
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One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Crenshaw
Shaw Temple AME Zion Church
http://www.shawtemple.org
When you pray, concentrate on the focus of your prayers. Unintentionally, sometimes our prayers become models of selfishness. Our prayers may consist of things we genuinely need however in some instances; we pray so intently for self that we forget we are our brothers' keeper.
The model prayer Jesus shared with the disciples is simple. At a time when all the majesty of Heaven was to be revealed, Jesus kept it simple. When revealing to us how to grasp the keys to the Kingdom, our Master keeps it simple. He charges us not to reiterate empty phrases and commands us not to repeat buzz words. Jesus teaches us that our prayers only need to be sincere, honest and real.
Our Savior patiently awaits fellowship with us. The mature Christian has learned the Father lovingly encourages us to establish a prayer life that reflects a meaningful relationship, not simply a wish list. We have been invited to that sacred sanctuary where the True Source dispenses resources.
The Lords Prayer as recorded by Luke focuses on daily living, looking not to tomorrow but concentrating on today. Jesus reveals to the disciples what should have been obvious; life is a daily gift that can only be given by God. The more we focus on each moment the more mindful we are of the blessings in our existing circumstances.
Jesus' prayer pushes us toward a life of substance and significance. When it comes to prayer, Jesus prefers genuine communication. Grand and eloquent speech has its place, but when it comes to prayer, Jesus prefers if we keep it simple.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." Luke 11:1
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Crenshaw
Shaw Temple AME Zion Church
http://www.shawtemple.org
posted by AJ WOODSON at 3/04/2009 04:24:00 AM
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