...and the Power of Prayer. Prayer is a blessing and privilege that can enrich man’s relationship with God, aid in spiritual development, and positively affect the life and associations of the believer. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, prayer is an address to God, and act of communication. According to the Webster dictionary, power is “ability to act, capacity of undergoing or suffering and the faculty of doing or performing something. Supplication is defined in your dictionary as the act of humbly begging from something on someone else behalf or yourself. An example of Supplication is you go to God on your knees and pray. (Mark 11:24) says, “Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”. So therefore, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgivings, present your request to God” (Philippians4:6). To me prayer is talking to God one on one, about anything that should happen to be on my heart at that time. In my opinion, prayer is a vital necessity in building a relationship with Christ. Prayer changes things and many of us have heard this statement before, whether it was from our parents, grandparents, strangers, and even our pastors. Prayer is common and important in the Bible. Prayer also leads to a greater understanding of God’s will for us, and leads to a more meaningful communion with God. Prayer gives vision in the secret place, intelligence...
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...arduous hours in Gethsemane to find strength to face the Cross. “He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears” (Heb. 5:7). We, on the other hand, have mastered the art of one-liners in prayer, and think if we give God a two-hour service once a week we’re fairly spiritual. “Easy does it” might be good advice in a few situations, but for most of life, including prayer, easy doesn’t do it. Anyone long associated with the Church of this century, especially in America, knows that our problems do not result from a lack of information or material strength. If we fail in achieving what God asks from us as we run our race, it will be a failure of heart and spirit. I believe our prayers do more than simply motivate the Father to action. They actually release the power of the Holy Spirit from us to accomplish things in the earth realm. In his book, “The Kneeling Warrior,” Dr. David D. Ireland sheds much light on the importance of persistence in prayer and intercession. He takes the time to help us understand that there is literal power from the Holy Spirit which can be released from us is absolute. The power of God that brings life, healing and wholeness to the earth flows out from us---the Church. Content Summary The Bible talks about being watchful in various ways and for many different reasons, not the least of which is watching in prayer. Ephesians 6: 18 says, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert...
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...PRAYER AND THE 1 Prayer and the School Setting PHI 200 Instructor Lisa Linkin May 11, 2012 Prayer and the School Setting Many students throughout the world carry on their daily tasks of going to school. They come home or to their dorms from the excessive day of learning and they may say a prayer or they may not. For the ones that do say a prayer, they may feel as if the prayer would have been better said during school at the time of a “stressful situation or test”. This was not the case because prayer is being banned from school. This topic has been a very hot one from the time of the first person speaking out against having prayer in the school setting even until now showing no signs of letting up. Why is it so bothersome? It stands to reason that the reason prayer in the school setting is such a rampant subject is because those on both sides of the situation have very strong and valid arguments. Every time there seems to be a sound solution, there is something else that challenges the peace the solution seemingly creates. When it comes to the issue of prayer being appropriate for the school setting there are those that say that it is not appropriate, those that agree that it is, and those willing to look for solutions to pacify both sides. To even come close to beginning to identify whether prayer is appropriate for school or not one must understand exactly what both these...
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...Psychology, Theology and Spirituality: Interdisciplinary Approach to Christian Counseling Morenike Oye Liberty University Psychology, Theology and Spirituality: Interdisciplinary Approach to Christian Counseling Summary McMinn (2011) uses this book to bring out the importance of the use of spirituality (as related to Christian faith) in psychological counseling. He describes the Christian Counselors as people who are highly trained in counseling theory and techniques, in theology, and are personally disciplined to mirror Christian attributes during and after counseling. (pg. 139) According to McMinn (2011), Christian Counselors face the challenges of knowing the techniques of spiritual formation, inability to learn spiritual passion, and devotion so as not be handicapped in bringing religious issues to counseling and therapeutic session (p.39). This is because training and competency in the field of psychology and theology can be evidenced, but understanding spirituality cannot be evidenced. This will continue to be a challenge because we can never be spiritually competent. Another challenge is the link between the counselors personal and professional life and worldview as it affects the clients’ level of spirituality, believes and worldview. He states that Christian counselors are faced with the problem of expanded training. They must go beyond the level of professional training to personal training because other factors such...
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...THE SECRET OF SUCCESS Be aware and apply the Seven (7) habits of effective people • Be Proactive Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with life's principles) are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow. Begin with the End in Mind Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life. Put First Things First A manager must manage his own person. Personally. And managers should implement activities that aim to reach the second habit. Covey says that rule two is the mental creation; rule three is the physical creation. Think Win-Win Genuinely strive for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect people by understanding a "win" for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person in the situation had got his way. Synergize Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals no one person could have done alone. Sharpen the Saw Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle. It primarily emphasizes exercise for physical renewal, prayer (meditation, yoga, etc.) and good reading for mental renewal. It also mentions service to society for spiritual renewal. • • • • • ...
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...PERSONAL PRAYER: TIMELESS SECRET OF HIGH IMPACT LEADERS ________________ A Book Review Presented to Dr. Jon Bishop Liberty Theological Seminary _____________ In partial fulfillment Of the requirements of PLED 520 __________ By John Smith, Jr. January 27, 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Author 2 Book Summary 2 Book Critique and Evaluation 6 Personal Application 9 Resources 10 Introduction One of the most intriguing things about the Christian faith is the lack of participation that each believer exhibits in the spiritual discipline of prayer, all though they are constantly reminded that it is the pathway toward a more intimate relationship with Christ. There are a multiplicity of spiritual disciplines that the believer is expected to practice, however, the one that is most pervasive across the varied spectrum of Christianity is the spiritual discipline of prayer. Most believers are encouraged to spend vast amounts of time participating in prayer, although the average spiritual leader spends less than 15 minutes each day praying. As this writer was growing up he would consistently hear people in his home church state, “much prayer much power, little prayer little power, no prayer no power.” Author Dr. Dave Earley is currently is Chairman of the Department of Pastoral Ministries and Church Expansion at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as Director of the Center...
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...Prayer in Public Schools Derrick DuHart Race, Religion, Culture Arkansas Baptist College Dr. Johnson, Instructor November 4, 2014 Tables of Contents I. Introduction Background/Statement of Problems pg. 3-4 Purpose of the Study pg. 5-12 Research Questions pg. 13 Significance of the Study pg. 14-19 II. Literature Review Methodology and Sampling Design Strategy pg. 20 Data Collection Procedures pg. 20 Data Analyzed pg. 21 Ethical Issues pg. 21 III. Results Conclusion pg. 21-22 References pg. 23 Appendix: I. Annotated Bibliography pg. 24-26 II. Survey Questions pg. 27 III. Results (Charted/Tables) pg. 28-31 Notes: I. Introduction Background/Statement of Problem Prayer in Public Schools The courts have ruled against prayer in school. Many agree with the decision; yet many disagree. Prayer should be allowed in public schools because it is already practiced. It prevents...
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...Committing to a Fast Beginning a Fast Prayer: Father, I consecrate this fast to You and set my mind to gain understanding in these matters for which I am concerned. (Write your concerns out and keep them before your eyes. Do not lose sight of the reason for your fast). I humble myself before You, Most High God. In accordance with Daniel 10:1-3, I will eat no _________________ for the period of _________________________. I obey the words of Jesus by putting on festive clothing, so that no one will suspect that I am fasting. Father, You know every secret, and I look to You for my reward. I am assured that You hear me when I pray according to You will, and I know that I shall have the petitions that I desire of You. Father, I delight myself in You, and You cause my desire to be agreeable with Your will. I choose the fast You have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke. I share my food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter. When I see the naked, I will clothe him, and I will not turn away from my own flesh and blood. Then my light will break forth like the dawn, and my healing will quickly appear, then my righteousness will go before me, and Your glory, Lord, will be my rear guard. Father, thank You for cleansing me - spirit, soul, and body. All my ways seem innocent to me, but my motives are weighed by You, my Lord and my Master. I commit this fast to You, and my plans...
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...Praise for I N TE RC E S S OR Y P RAY ER Intercessory Prayer is illuminating and motivating. Dutch Sheets sheds fascinating light on this sometimes mysterious subject. Readers will want to pray more, and they will see more results. Dr. Bill Bright, Founder and President Campus Crusade for Christ International My heart flooded with excitement as I read Intercessory Prayer. What a blessing it is to have this instructive, God-inspired manual revealing the ways God works through His people. The Body of Christ will be richer in knowledge and depth of intercession, equipped to hit the bull's-eye. Bobbye Byerly, U.S. National President Aglow International If you are looking for a textbook on prayer, this is the best! Dutch Sheets's fresh insights will inspire your faith, deepen your understanding, and equip you to fulfill your destiny as one of God's praying people. Dick Eastman, International President Every Home for Christ Intercessory Prayer is the book of 1,000 sermons. Dutch's material is power-packed, inspirational and instructional. It answers questions that are too often answered incorrectly. It sets the record straight. Ted Haggard, Pastor New Life Church, Colorado Springs Dutch Sheets is one of the most exciting teachers I have ever heard. He explains God's heart for prayer in a clear, concise, powerful way. Dutch makes praying with impact something that is within everyone's reach. I heartily recommend it. Jane Hansen International President, Aglow International Praise...
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...Taylor Hafenscher Mr. Lodes Christology February 20, 2012 Once upon a time there was a young boy named Noah who lived in Jerusalem near the Jordan River. Noah loved and cared for animals. Noah’s parents always believed he was going to become a veterinarian one day. One afternoon Noah came across a man named John the Baptist. Now John the Baptist was famous in Jerusalem for his baptism services as well as his knowledge of animals. Quickly John the Baptist became a mentor to Noah and told Noah he had a special gift, the power to heal animals. Through God and prayer all of this was possible. Noah believed doing miracles like healing sick animals brought him close to God and the Kingdom of God. Noah started to heal several small animals like bunnies and raccoons. As Noah became more famous in the town of Jerusalem, he put together a group of followers. These groups of followers were called disciples. He had 11 disciples to help him with curing the animals. As Noah and his followers approached the town of Galilee, they saw thousands of starving animals. These animals were very sick and about to die. With Noah’s gift he gave every one of the animals a loaf of bread. Soon the animals were full, happy, and healthy. The town thanked Noah and his disciples and they were on their way. Noah and his disciples started to become famous throughout the land. The next job Noah and his disciples had was in a town called Nazareth. As soon as they entered the town Noah knew exactly...
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...FOREWORD "Whatever your mind can conceive and believe it can achieve." - Napoleon Hill American born Napoleon Hill is considered to have influenced more people into success than any other person in history. He has been perhaps the most influential man in the area of personal success technique development, primarily through his classic book Think and Grow Rich which has helped million of the people and has been important in the life of many successful people such as W. Clement Stone and Og Mandino. Napoleon Hill was born into poverty in 1883 in a one-room cabin on the Pound River in Wise County, Virginia. At the age of 10 his mother died, and two years later his father remarried. He became a very rebellious boy, but grew up to be an incredible man. He began his writing career at age 13 as a "mountain reporter" for small town newspapers and went on to become America's most beloved motivational author. Fighting against all class of great disadvantages and pressures, he dedicated more than 25 years of his life to define the reasons by which so many people fail to achieve true financial success and happiness in their life. During this time he achieved great success as an attorney and journalist. His early career as a reporter helped finance his way through law school. He was given an assignment to write a series of success stories of famous men, and his big break came when he was asked to interview steel-magnate Andrew Carnegie. Mr. Carnegie commissioned Hill to...
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...my Christian walk, prayer. Most of us have experienced times of prayer either in the home or church. I remember prayers taught to me in childhood. I was taught to say my prayers regularly at bed time. As a child I was taught "Now I lay me down to sleep..." and the Lord's Prayer. I do not remember learning them; I just remember always knowing them. As I think of the ways I learned to pray, the most important teacher was the experience. My family did not have times of prayer together except at daily meals when grace was offered by my father. On Sundays when I went to church, I remember hearing long and boring prayers from the minister. As I recall, on no occasion was I taught about silent prayer, meditating, or the fact that I could have an individual relationship with God. Being a new Christian I found it a challenge to pray on a consistent basis. The first step in developing a life of prayer, was realizing that prayer was communicating with God. As I prayed There were times when sickness in the home or with close relatives caused me to prayer without ceasing. I didn’t realize at that time, that I was becoming an intercessor. Many times as a young Christian I served as my pastor’s driver and daily companion while rearing my children. There were times when she would be called upon to pray for the sick, at the church or at the hospital. This is where I learned the power of prayer. I can recall during times of pain, agony or despair when a prayer was pulled out of me...
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...Various Kinds of Prayer Cheryl Riley Maters II Theology May 9, 2015 Dr. Patricia Yeargan Various Kinds of Prayer Throughout my journey as a Christian I have found prayer to be a relevant part of my life. It is and essential instrument that all Christians can use on a daily basis. Prayer is defined as communication with God as our source of help just as you can use different instruments to make different sounds. Diverse prayers can yield different results. The Bible tells us in Thessalonians 5:16 “to pray without ceasing,” As we pray it opens up communication with our father God and strengthens our faith. As Christians we must pray to strengthen our relationship with him not because times are hard or that we are in need of something. Dr. R.T Kendall topic on the Various Kinds of Prayer enlightens people on the vast areas of praying. For instance the prayer of agreement can be used with intercessory prayer with great results. It also gives us insight to the power of prayer. Our heavenly Father values us more than anyone and wants to talk to us. With prayer, we all have equal access and we are all on level ground. What's more, prayer gives you the privilege of access to ultimate power. God can make anything happen. He can heal, solve any problem and change your financial situation and open doors. Cause everything that has happened in your life will work together for good. People must understand what prayer is, and why it is so important, and how you can overcome the obstacles...
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...Here I am on Earth trying to determine if the people here are religious or not?? Here I am on Earth trying to determine if the people here are religious or not. Three things I am looking for are prayer to a higher entity, sacrifice, and public acknowledgment of their god in ways other than prayer. The clues I am now assessing include people attending their houses of worship, people wearing crosses around their necks as jewelry, and people with their heads bowed in prayer. These people with their heads bowed in prayer have so many variations in their actions. Some people are at their dinner table praying, some people kneel on the ground in a line with other people five times per day to pray, and some bow their heads and put their hands together, and use a string of beads to pray with. The earthlings seem to practice sacrifice openly and variably. They are not, perhaps, killing a goat, burning it, and attempting to give it to the deity, but instead, people are sacrificing personal actions. The man who used to steal does not steal anymore, hoping this sacrifice will please his god. So it is with the woman who used foul words heavily in speech. She now, however, is trying to give up (sacrifice) her obscene language because she feels like she cannot reap the benefits of being a servant of her god if her language is not pure. She does not want to grieve her higher being, so she sacrificed her abhorrent language. Sacrifice occurs in Buddhism when practicing Sutra and one...
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...behaviors and who they are spiritually. A balance between the body, mind and spirit in accordance with the family, community and nature is observed. (Pearson Education, 2012) Health is viewed multi-dimensionally and each dimension consists of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a person. With the maintenance of health, one must consider a special attire one must wear, specific food one must eat or avoid, special entertainment sources, and religious customs. For the protection of health, one must take into account dietary restrictions, symbolic clothing that must be worn, avoidance of specific people, rituals, superstitions and amulets. For health restoration, one must also consider special folkloric remedies, healers, rituals and prayers. It is essential that these traditional methods mentioned above be incorporated with modern methods of health care. (Pearson Education, 2012) The three families interviewed are from the Philippines, Jamaica and Ireland. For the physical aspect, Filipinos pray for good health. They eat healthy food such as vegetables, meat, chicken, and fruits and maintain exceptional hygiene. For the mental aspect, eating pigeon soup nourishes the liver and kidneys and detoxifies. Chicken soup also...
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