on what I learnt on Day of prayer

went for Day of Prayer in church last saturday. Basically prayer meeting to call the congregation to come and pray together before the Lord. Prayed on a variety of prayer items.

One thing Pastor Ed taught us (or more like, reminded us) is that we will sometimes get distracted by thoughts during our prayers. It's as if a fly flies into our heads and keep buzzing, even when you are trying to keep on the train of thought that you are trying to pray for. Rather than focused on keeping the buzz out, Pastor says get a paper and pen, write down the distracting thought, put it aside (so that you can get back to it later) and continue what you are praying for in the first place. Not something new la, just a gem of life I seldom apply in my life.

So these are some of the stuff that distracted me in my prayers:

• Sense of urgency

Sometimes when we pray, we don’t pray with a sense of urgency. We flitter flutter all over the place with vague prayers. Of course, this is not saying we should be anxious in our prayers, masquerading anxiety as a sense of urgency.

 

• Altar to Your name

When we pray about specific items, we are actually building up our faith in the Lord. It’s as if we are building an altar of faith to God’s name.

 

• Pray for people by name

Something the Lord impress upon me; again, the “don’t pray vaguely” principle. Learn to ask for specifics.

 

• Empowered by the Holy Spirit

We need to ask from power from on high, rather than relying on our own strength alone.

 

• Encouragers!

It’s easier to tear down than to build up; it’s easier to critisise than to encourage. Must learn to build up the Church in faith and love.

 

• Kingdom prayers!

Don’t just dwell upon prayers for personal stuff. Learn to look beyond my own life and pray for Kingdom of God.

 

• Lim kopi – do resume tonight

Supposed to drink  coffee (“kopi-O, siu dai, gau” – for the uninitiated, that’s “thick black coffee, with less sugar” in kopitiam-talk) Didn’t do that on Saturday night; thus didn’t send out resumes.

 

• Life song

My life is a song to the Lord - may I learn to sing my life song unto the Lord, a beautiful one at that.

 

• Give glory to God

God is great, and deserves all glory. When we fail to give him glory, we are honoring ourselves above Him. A big no-no…

 

• Spirit of unity

Church of Jesus divided by too many petty issues – need to pray for unity

 

• Day of Pentecost

Reminded through another brother’s prayers, of the outpouring on the Day of Pentecost. Such marvelous glory, on the Goodness of God!

 

• We are already blest!

Through the Gospel of Christ, and Christ in our lives. Don’t hide it.

 

• Ask for peanuts, get peanuts; ask for continents, get continents!

God has promised He will make all things come to pass in His will. If we ask for little things in His will, it is certainly not impossible for Him to deliver. The crunch comes when we ask for the big things in His will… do I have that faith?

 

• Army of Christ

We are not only God’s sheep to be fed and care of, we are also soldiers of Christ. Must learn to discipline ourselves, and build ourselves up to fight

 

• One Life, One Purpose, One God

Can’t go through life again, we are not into re-incarnation. Better be clear of my own focus to be upon God.

 

• Thousands calling upon the Name of God

Magnificent picture of the host of saints calling upon the Lord of Lords, crying “Holy Holy Holy”….

well, certainly not all the distractions are about mundane stuff. Think I'll keep up with this practice. Argh, still haven't send out any resumes! Think I gonna get it soon from my friends...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let The Flame Burn Brighter
Graham Kendrick

Key: F

Verse 1:
                F
We'll walk the land, with hearts on fire
                   F/A     Bb
And every step will be a prayer
         Gm7              Dm7
Hope is rising, new day dawning
          Gm7     C         F
Sound of singing fills the air


Verse 2:
              F
Two thousand years and still the flame
                   F/A        Bb
Is burning bright across the land
            Gm7                Dm7
Hearts are waiting, longing, aching,
      Gm7      C     F
For awakening once again


Chorus:
                      F
Let the flame burn brighter
F
In the heart of the darkness,
                   Bb      C
Turning night to glorious day.
                   Gm
Let the song grow louder
                    Dm
As our love grows stronger,
C       Bb     Dm7     C
Let it shine, let it shine
F       C      Dm7        C
(Let it shine, let it shine) (last time)


Verse 3:
                F
We'll walk for truth, speak out for love.
                   F/A        Bb
In Jesus' name we shall be strong.
             Gm7                 Dm
To lift the fallen, to save the children,
             Gm7    C         F
To fill the nation with your song.

©1989 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
(from http://www.pwarchive.com/song.aspx?SongID=2323&v=1 )