But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.(2 Peter 3:18 – ESV)
I want us to consider the prayers that Paul prayed for other believers. Of course, the specific content of the prayers themselves is vitally important, and each passage could make up many messages. However, what we want to focus on is the fact that these prayers represent our need for change. In doing this we will see some very important truths that God wants us to realize about change in our lives. We not only want to pray these prayers, we want to live them out, and by thinking about these prayers as a unit we can know God’s will.
The NT teaches that we are supposed to be changing, and Paul wouldn’t pray for change if it wasn’t possible. Prayer is the pipeline for God’s power, and Paul prayed not as much for their situations to change as for them to change. We need to believe that God answers these prayers. You must learn to be a twig before you become a tree. God isn’t a quick fix, change is more process oriented than crisis oriented, not a moment but a momentum. God’s power for change is something you can believe in.
Ephesians 1:16-19
Ephesians 3:14-19
Philippians 1:9-11
Colossians 1:9-12
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Change is Possible
* No matter how good your situation is
* No matter how bad your situation is
Change is Providential
* Through God’s power
* In God’s will
Change is Prayerful
* We should pray for it
* We should be mindful of it
Change is Predestined
* A process
* A guarantee
3 comments:
We just did a series on prayer at my own church. Love it!! Maybe I'll put together a little something on it soon.
It was wonderful to worship the Lord with you yesterday, and then to fellowship afterwards. You have a great church, and I pray that you have a major impact on your local community.
Thank you Craver, your visit was surely was a joyous blessing to our church as well, and Margie and I especially enjoyed our time together with your family...May God hear your prayers for our church, that we may glorify Him by being steadfastly faithful to and abundantly fruitful for the Kingdom...and may God bless your time in Florida, your trip back to Illinois, and your continued labor in the Lord...
Thank God for change!
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