PRAYER HELPS

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35 NKJV).

We all need help to get us to pray. Our verse gives us some good helps that will encourage us to pray. Thus, we want to note: the person who prayed, the passion for prayer, the priority of prayer, and the place of prayer.

Person who prayed - Some folks do not think that we need to pray. However, here in our verse, it is the Lord Jesus who is praying. If the matchless Son of God needed to pray, how much more should we fallible humans need to pray. Some think prayer is just for the weak or fearful. But the Lord Jesus prayed, and He was the strongest and boldest of all.

Passion for prayer - “Having risen a long while before daylight.” Getting up early in the morning showed the passion the Lord Jesus had for prayer. For many folks, just getting up at the normal time requires much effort. Thus, to get up extra early to pray means greater effort. Yet, if we want to have success in prayer, we will have to put in the extra effort into praying. Like anything else, little effort produces little results; big effort will produce big results.

Priority of prayer - “Having risen a long while before daylight.” While the Lord Jesus goy up and prayed early in the morning, it does not mean that we cannot pray at other time during the day. It is the priority in prayer that is taught here. We need to start our days, our projects, our trips, and our work with prayer. If we started more things with prayer, we would not finish so many things with problems.

Place of prayer - “Solitary place.” We can pray in any place, but it is helpful to be in a private place when we pray. Further, private prayer does not replace public prayer, but it enhances the effectiveness of our praying. In the privacy of our prayer place, we can pray without the distractions of a more public place. Everyone needs a private place to engage in daily prayer. It may be our bedroom, office or some other secluded spot. Nevertheless, we need to value the private place. It will help our prayer life.

(Adapted from Butler’s Sermon Starters Vol. 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything that God can do, and as God can do everything, prayer is omnipotent!”

Reuben Archer (R.A.) Torrey (1856 – 1928)

American Evangelist, Congregational Pastor, Educator, and Author

Word Study

Excellent

In Phil. 1:10 we read, “That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ” (NKJV).

Excellent is the Greek word diaphérō (διαφέρω = dee-af-er'-o). It is made up of two words: “dia” which means separation or through, and “phéro” which means to carry, bear. Thus, the word literally means to carry or take something through an area or structure. In classical Greek, diaphérō carries the idea to be different. It also has the idea to carry over or across, to go through, and to separate. In the Septuagint diaphérō carries the idea of variance or difference. In the New Testament diaphérō was used of approving those things which are different. Thus, the word applies to those moral and spiritual concepts and actions which involve keen distinctions and a deep sense of discernment to recognize the differences. Here in Phil. 1:10, it speaks of the distinction relating to life and conduct which should characterize believers in the Lord Jesus Christ until He returns.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid” (Jer. 46:27 KJV).

Did You Know…

Before the flood there was no rain from heaven, but a mist watered the earth (Gen. 2:4-6).

Bible Quiz

Who was known as “The voice of one crying in the wilderness?”

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: After telling Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant, what else did the angel tell Mary to convince her that she also would be with child? “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Matt. 1:37).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”

"In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!” (Jer. 23:6 NKJV).

1. Meaning – LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS speaks of the Lord Jesus as the coming king, the righteous ruler whose reign will be marked by absolute justice.

2. Insights – The branch of David’s line through Jehoiachin had been “cut off” (Jer. 22:24-30). However, God promised to raise up to David another King who would be a righteous Branch, that is, another member of the Davidic line. The Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this prediction (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21). In contrast to the unrighteous kings described earlier, this King will be righteous and rule justly. As King, He will reign wisely and will do what is just and right. And when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, His righteousness is put to our account and we are declared righteous before God.

Did You Know – Christian History

Sarah Addison Pollard was born November 27, 1862, in Bloomfield, Iowa. She was an American hymn writer.

Pollard did not like her given name Sarah, so she adopted Adelaide in its place. Following her education at the Boston School of Oratory, she moved to Chicago and taught in several girls’ schools in Chicago, Illinois. Influenced by the evangelist R. A. Torrey, she enrolled as a student at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Pollard’s life was always centered on her faith. And she developed a fine reputation as an itinerant Bible teacher. Later, she worked with two evangelists, one who developed a healing ministry, and the other who focused on the imminent return of Christ.

Pollard wanted to become a missionary and became distressed. In spite of her best efforts, she could not raise the funds needed to go as a missionary to Africa. “Why?” wondered the forty-year-old woman. Discouraged, she attended prayer meeting one evening in 1902. There an old woman prayed: “Lord, it doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives, just have your way with us.” The words sank home. Pollard went home and meditated on the old woman’s prayer and on Bible texts found in Jer. 18:3-4 and Isa. 64:8 which referred to God as a potter. As a result, she wrote a hymn which millions have sung: “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.”

During the years that she was unable to go to Africa, she taught at the Christian and Missionary Alliance School in Nyack, New York. Shortly before World War I, she did reach Africa. However, the war forced her to retreat to Scotland. After the fighting was over, she returned to the United States where, despite failing health, she preached in New England. One of her major themes was that Christ would soon return.

Pollard wrote over 100 other songs, but just how many we do not know for certain, since she seldom signed them, not desiring credit. Pollard died December 20, 1934, in London, England.

A Little Humor

A pastor, known for his forgetfulness, began his sermon and then paused. He apologized to the congregation, saying, “I’m sorry, I forgot my notes.” A member of the congregation shouted out, “it’s okay, Pastor, we forgot to bring our Bibles!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Give your all to Christ; He gave His all for you!”