29 – PRAY – CTW-2022-E

 CHALLENGED TO WIN by Gregory Fernandez

Chapter 29 –  PRAY

Throughout this book, the message focuses on GOD and PRAYER.   PRAYER is communication with GOD. Therefore, we may sometimes ask the question:

HOW TO PRAY?

Remember, you are a child of GOD.   GOD is your Father.   You can talk to God in your own simple words.

GOD will understand every word you say; He will understand your feeling.   GOD is never busy or preoccupied.   You will always have God’s full and undivided attention.

In Jeremiah 33:3, GOD makes a beautiful Invitation and Promise.

3 “CALL TO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER YOU, AND SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS, WHICH YOU DO NOT KNOW.”

God’s invitation and promise are for all times and all situations in our life, whether it is night or day, whether we are happy or sad.   Young or old.

A few years ago, I was a plain “Sunday Catholic.” I did not know scriptural references and such things.   During my turmoil one afternoon, I yelled in sorrow, “God! I want to know whether you are real.” And at that exact moment, God answered.   You will find the details of the incident in the Epilogue.   My prayer was only one sentence with nine words! All you have to say is, “Dear God may I speak with you….” Your communication line to God is open.

Then talk to God about whatever you want.   Talk to God about your problems, the difficulties you face, the sorrows, the struggles, and even your sins.   These may be complex tasks to overcome and hard habits to break.   But for God, nothing is impossible.   He is the God of the Impossible.

Tell GOD about your joys and the nice things you saw, heard, or felt.   Tell Him about the music or the warmth of consolation.   GOD is thrilled to hear “your” version of the impression.   In much the same way, we, as grown-ups, are amused by how children describe a movie they have seen.   The film itself may not have much interest as far as we are concerned, but we are interested to see how thrilled the child is.   In the same way, God is delighted to hear your feelings.

Tell GOD about your fears, anxieties, desires, hopes, expectations, and plans.   He likes to hear them.   Discuss them with GOD.   Ask GOD if these plans are following His Divine WILL.   Invite GOD to be the designer, the architect, the engineer, and the surgeon.  .  .  .

Asking God is how easy prayer is! The more you talk with GOD, the more He will draw near you.

JAMES 4:8

 8 “DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.”   

Slowly He will reveal Himself to you.   Slowly He will teach you His Divine way to Pray.

For a start, when you pray, keep these 3 points in mind:

1          WORSHIP GOD ­ Tell God that you Love Him,

You worship Him,

You adore Him,

You want to know Him,

Daily more and more.

 

2          PRAISE GOD. ­ Praise God for everything thing.

Praise God for being there,

Praise God for who He is,

Praise God for being kind to you,

Praise God for what you can see, feel, hear, smell, and taste.

 

3          THANK GOD ­ Thank God for everything,

  • For being there for you,
  • For your health, money, career,
  • Family, joys,
  • Yes, even for:
  • Your sorrow, problems, difficulties,
  • Your strain and tension.

The Bible says:

PHILLIPPIANS 4:6-7

6 “BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD.  

7  THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MIND THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.”   

God Bless You.

Audio Link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vEJC-MnuC2uRNFamVTiZO3YCNjQt2aBi/view?usp=share_link