Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Some of My Notes on Prayer


Some of My Notes on Prayer
Brad Reiches
Sep 13 2006 12:32AM

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Beginning Friday, September 22, GodThoughtsWired! will be on sabbatical while I recover from back surgery.  Rather than provide pre-prepared entries, I am led to remain silent for those 2-3 weeks and ask you to join with me in radical, spiritual warefare prayers for the GodThoughts Ministry.  I am INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL that GodThoughtsWired! reaches thousands daily around the world and, yet, I am certain that God desires to multiply His voice and influence through GodThoughts FAR MORE SIGNIFICANTLY than He is doing now.  We need a larger team!  We need more prayer warriors!  We need more Partners!  We need more of you to ACTIVELY participate!  Please take the time of this sabbatical to prayerfully consider your active involvement in the GodThoughts Ministry.

Who among you would respond to the invitation of Jesus, "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).  In this "Age of Apostasy," (see 2 Thess. 2:1-17),  GodThoughts exists to EVANGELIZE THE CHURCH!  -see Matthew 7:21-23; Revelation 3:20.   See you soon!


Wednesday, September 13, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!

"Some of My Notes on Prayer"

"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
James 5:16

 
As my studies on prayer continue into a third decade, the above verse continues to grow strong as a centerpiece and focal point for greater revelation and understanding.  Indeed, James 5:16 provides truly significant information for us as to the "how" of prayer (see GodThoughts, Volume 1, "Power Tools"), but this scripture is equally profound and revalatory in what is DOES NOT say.

James 5:16 does not say,

1.  "The effective prayer of a man can accomplish much."  Nor does it say,
2.  "The prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."  Again, I have elaborated on these thoughts in the first Volume of GodThoughts, the book (see "Power Tools," pp. 113-119).  The sumation is as follows:

 
THE ABILITY TO PRAY WITH POWER HINGES ON TWO KEYS:
THE KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY;
AND THE WILLINGNESS OF THE ONE WHO PRAYS
TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY.

 
In addition, James 5:16 does not say,

3.  "The ineffective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."  Over the centuries, monasteries around the world have provided a haven for "pious" individuals deceived into thinking that piety was an end unto itself.  As Dr. Paul Y. Cho (pastor of the world's largest church in South Korea) describes,

Piety should not lead us away from the world,
but should strengthen us so that we can
be effective witnesses in the world.
"Prayer, Key to Revival," p.34.

 
And finally, James 5:16 does not say,

4.  "The effective prayer of an unrighteous man can accomplish much."  To exagerate my point, I don't care how much a guy like Hitler might become skilled in prayer, God does not change!  What He spoke through His prophet Isaiah thousands of years ago remains equally true today, "Even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen, your hands are covered with blood" (Isaiah 1:18).
Are you with me?*


*Oh, how I long for the Church to return to the place of prominence, power and influence that God desires.  It is absolutely possible, but it will only happen through the effective prayer of godly individuals.  Do you know how to pray effectively?  Does God's power and authority flow from your lips daily?  Is God's kingdom significantly furthered through your faithful and powerful prayers every single day?  If you haven't yet done so, please order our 6-part tape/cd series, "How to Get an Answer:  Increasing the Odds of Answered Prayer."  I have testimonies from tens of people whose lives have been significantly transformed and blessed by the hours of prayer training that this series provides.  Please e-mail me for more info:  brad@godthoughts.org.

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