I thought it would be encouraging to mention that one girl came to Christ as a result of VBS this past week; given there were less than 20 kids most days that perhaps is more impressive; but it is an answered prayer nonetheless.
Since I've discussed various aspects of prayer recently I am just adding some thoughts (which I often get out taking a walk and hopefully when I spend a few days in a recently purchased cabin I will have some more time to get my thoughts together).
I looked in the last post about the Disciples and what appears to have been a pattern with a lack of prayer; all the more confouding since they spent much time alone with Christ when He was nearby praying (although He would also be totally alone praying as well). The presumption therefore that they could handle what they apparently did in my last posting regarding the demon possessed boy since they did before when He sent them out is due to several issues. First of all being in the presence of Christ would certainly cause a great deal of confidence to be present as He clearly was understood to have miraculous powers; although the concept of Him being the Son of God who would have to eventually die on the cross wasn't getting through. Jesus had to repeat this over and over after major events since that was the whole purpose of His life; to end it making the atoement for all sins including that of the Apostles and other believers at the time. This would; of course require the Comforter of the Spirit and once the Resurrection had occured then there was surely much prayer until Pentecost followed by the great outpouring prophesied in Joel 2 that was fulfilled in part.
Whether prayer should be parceled out between having a discussion with God; praising Him and actually having petitions or requests makes prayer perhaps harder to define than it appears. Jesus now acts as our High Priest to interpret things which are pleasing to the Father and not mixed with fleshly motives.
I thought it would be encouraging to mention that one girl came to Christ as a result of VBS this past week; given there were less than 20 kids most days that perhaps is more impressive; but it is an answered prayer nonetheless.
Since I've discussed various aspects of prayer recently I am just adding some thoughts (which I often get out taking a walk and hopefully when I spend a few days in a recently purchased cabin I will have some more time to get my thoughts together).
I looked in the last post about the Disciples and what appears to have been a pattern with a lack of prayer; all the more confouding since they spent much time alone with Christ when He was nearby praying (although He would also be totally alone praying as well). The presumption therefore that they could handle what they apparently did in my last posting regarding the demon possessed boy since they did before when He sent them out is due to several issues. First of all being in the presence of Christ would certainly cause a great deal of confidence to be present as He clearly was understood to have miraculous powers; although the concept of Him being the Son of God who would have to eventually die on the cross wasn't getting through. Jesus had to repeat this over and over after major events since that was the whole purpose of His life; to end it making the atoement for all sins including that of the Apostles and other believers at the time. This would; of course require the Comforter of the Spirit and once the Resurrection had occured then there was surely much prayer until Pentecost followed by the great outpouring prophesied in Joel 2 that was fulfilled in part.
Whether prayer should be parceled out between having a discussion with God; praising Him and actually having petitions or requests makes prayer perhaps harder to define than it appears. Jesus now acts as our High Priest to interpret things which are pleasing to the Father and not mixed with fleshly motives.
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