Become an Anytime Pray-er...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Become an Anytime Pray-er...
Sun, 11-23-2003 - 2:59pm
This was our Pastor's sermon today. The goal is to become an Anytime Pray-er. My DH pulled together a really good power point presentation using this and a bunch of graphics (I'm sure you can figure out what graphics were used). The sermon (and the power point) were very good.

James 5: 13-20

13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

The Mickey Mouse Pray-er is Trivial.

Goal: There isn’t one.

1. I really don’t get around to praying on a regular basis.

2. I don’t believe in specific prayers.

The Seven-Eleven Pray-er is Sporadic.

Goal: To get what I need when I need it.

1. I expect God to exist for my convenience.

2. I go to God when I need to pick up something.

The Vending Machine Pray-er is Crisis-Driven.

Goal: To have God deliver on demand.

1. I want God to be instantly responsive.

2. I want to deposit a prayer and receive exactly what I ask for.

The Santa Clause Pray-er is Works-Driven.

Goal: To make a wish list.

1. I believe that if I am good I will get what I want.

2. I pray to recite to God my wish list.

The Fairy Tale Pray-er is an Idealist.

Goal: To live happily ever after.

1. I am looking for trouble-free living.

2. I want God to give me wonderland.

The Star Trek Pray-er is an Escapist.

Goal: To take the easy way out.

1. I want God to beam me up.

2. I want God to get me out of this mess.

The Starbucks Pray-er is Feelings-Driven.

Goal: To feel good.

1. I want God to give me a double shot of espresso.

2. I want God to keep me on a high all the time.

The Head Coach Pray-er is a Control-Freak.

Goal: To tell God what to do.

1. I want God on my team.

2. I want God to do things my way.

The Handyman Pray-er is a Perfectionist.

Goal: To get God to fix it.

1. I want God to fix everything.

2. I want God to make everything like it used to be.

The Anytime Pray-er is Righteous.

Goal: To know God intimately.

1. Pray when you hurt emotionally. (Distress)

2. Pray when nothing hurts and everything is great. (Praise)

3. Pray when you are hurt physically. (Healing)

4. Pray when you hurt spiritually. (Sins)

5. Pray when your church hurts. (Reconciliation)

Become an Anytime Pray-er.

1. Pray daily at a designated time alone with God.

2. Pray throughout the day as situations arise.

3. Pray the scripture.

4. Pray to commune with God.

5. Pray to become Christ-like.



Hugs.

Sassy :)