Comments on: How Important is Prayer? http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/ Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:27:59 +0000 hourly 1 By: Kees Boer http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-31528 Kees Boer Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:29:35 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-31528 Well, Madhu..... I don't know you, but in order to grow in Christ, you first have to be in Christ. You are placed in Christ, by placing your faith in Christ, that He paid for your sin on the cross. Then all of your sins are washed away by His blood. Then in reality, you will be a forgiven sinner and your sins will be all washed away. Realizing this is actually the key to growing in Christ too. You realize you're forgiven and your realize God's love for you and you respond in obedience to Him. This is quite a bit in a nutshell. Read the Book of John first. It will take about 2 hours, if you it in one sitting, then read Romans 6,7, and 8. I hope that helps. Well, Madhu…..

I don’t know you, but in order to grow in Christ, you first have to be in Christ. You are placed in Christ, by placing your faith in Christ, that He paid for your sin on the cross. Then all of your sins are washed away by His blood. Then in reality, you will be a forgiven sinner and your sins will be all washed away. Realizing this is actually the key to growing in Christ too. You realize you’re forgiven and your realize God’s love for you and you respond in obedience to Him. This is quite a bit in a nutshell. Read the Book of John first. It will take about 2 hours, if you it in one sitting, then read Romans 6,7, and 8. I hope that helps.

]]> By: Madhu http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-31508 Madhu Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:27:38 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-31508 Hey Children of OUR Living God, pray for me a sinnner so that I may GROW in CHRIST Hey Children of OUR Living God, pray for me a sinnner so that I may GROW in CHRIST

]]> By: Jenny http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-13146 Jenny Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:53:42 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-13146 I many times think prayers as a times when I pour my heart to God, anytime and anywhere. But I believe I need to spend times just only with God, without any distraction. Give my best time for Him, so I can listen what He want from me and other things that I can lift up to Him. I pray for my sponsored child but it more like repetition. But I am glad at least to know she will have a better future. I many times think prayers as a times when I pour my heart to God, anytime and anywhere. But I believe I need to spend times just only with God, without any distraction. Give my best time for Him, so I can listen what He want from me and other things that I can lift up to Him. I pray for my sponsored child but it more like repetition. But I am glad at least to know she will have a better future.

]]> By: Elaine http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-13145 Elaine Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:40:29 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-13145 Our child in Rwanda was not doing well in school. We said we would pray for wisdom. Lo and behold, she finished first in her class the next year! God honors prayer connections between us. Our child in Rwanda was not doing well in school. We said we would pray for wisdom. Lo and behold, she finished first in her class the next year! God honors prayer connections between us.

]]> By: Steve http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-13144 Steve Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:38:51 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-13144 Another thought about what makes something idolatry; it's not to do with the outward look of something, it's to do with the heart. Any discipline which helps someone to live out their love for God & His people is good. Idolatry is simply putting something that is not God in God's place. If you love God & are looking to obey Him you just are not going to practice idolatry. Idolatry is likely if I have a low or bad view of God. Then I will naturally put something else in His place. I might feel guilty about this, but the only way to prevent it is to focus on God, not to try to live by a set of rules that tries to control things from the outside. The comments left by people here obviously show a heart for God & His kingdom & people. The key to living this out is in using spiritual disciplines, especially ones that help us to pray effectively. No one has said here that things like prayer beads are of any value in themselves, but if they help to give a routine or a reminder then great. I think on the surface certain things remind people in one denomination of things in another denomination that they disapprove of & that causes worry, but always look at motives. God looks at the heart, not the outside. Another thought about what makes something idolatry; it’s not to do with the outward look of something, it’s to do with the heart. Any discipline which helps someone to live out their love for God & His people is good. Idolatry is simply putting something that is not God in God’s place. If you love God & are looking to obey Him you just are not going to practice idolatry. Idolatry is likely if I have a low or bad view of God. Then I will naturally put something else in His place. I might feel guilty about this, but the only way to prevent it is to focus on God, not to try to live by a set of rules that tries to control things from the outside. The comments left by people here obviously show a heart for God & His kingdom & people. The key to living this out is in using spiritual disciplines, especially ones that help us to pray effectively. No one has said here that things like prayer beads are of any value in themselves, but if they help to give a routine or a reminder then great. I think on the surface certain things remind people in one denomination of things in another denomination that they disapprove of & that causes worry, but always look at motives. God looks at the heart, not the outside.

]]> By: Kim Edge http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-10299 Kim Edge Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:25:38 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-10299 Caren, we face many dangers as Christians. The danger that was originally presented was the danger of not praying enough. In my use of prayer beads, I am quickly reminded to pray, and not repetitive phrases, but to say an "Our Father", which Jesus himself taught us, to think about what the phrases of that prayer mean, and pray for the Holy Spirit to be upon us all. I can hear my God and he never chides me or insults me. The beads help me remember my crucified Lord's love for me and how God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die for us, that all who believe in him might be saved. I pray that God will give you his loving wisdom, Kim :D Caren, we face many dangers as Christians. The danger that was originally presented was the danger of not praying enough. In my use of prayer beads, I am quickly reminded to pray, and not repetitive phrases, but to say an “Our Father”, which Jesus himself taught us, to think about what the phrases of that prayer mean, and pray for the Holy Spirit to be upon us all. I can hear my God and he never chides me or insults me. The beads help me remember my crucified Lord’s love for me and how God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die for us, that all who believe in him might be saved.

I pray that God will give you his loving wisdom,

Kim :D

]]> By: Caitlin http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-10297 Caitlin Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:57:34 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-10297 Interesting thoughts, Caren. It seems that you are blessed with an ability to focus without assistance. Just like there are learning types, there are prayer types however. Beads can be thought of as reminders for specific consistent prayer topics. They can be thought of as a "prayer list" that a visual learner might write down to organize and focus their prayers, but instead of being an all visual moment, like writing, beads, something that can be touched is good for someone who is a hands on learner. There is no black and white in many situations as these. I tend to be a hands on processor, myself, and while I don't usually use beads, I often wear simple bracelets of different colors to remind me to pray for something more often. For example, my Lilin's favorite color is pink, so I wear a pink bracelet to remind me to pray for her more often, and when I pray, I often finger the bracelet in order to focus my thoughts. One more point I feel the need to make, a majority of our "Christian" traditions do have Pagan origins. Early Christians often placed Christian holidays in the same time as Pagan holidays in attempt to replace them and gain more converts... However, Christmas(A holiday replacing a winter pagan holiday, which has links to the reason for the use of pine trees), in itself (not the commercialized one so much) really isn't considered to be a Pagan tradition. True, beads may be a distraction to some, but that is not their intended use. Labeling something that currently helps so many focus on God to be pagan, really doesn't seem right. Interesting thoughts, Caren. It seems that you are blessed with an ability to focus without assistance. Just like there are learning types, there are prayer types however. Beads can be thought of as reminders for specific consistent prayer topics. They can be thought of as a “prayer list” that a visual learner might write down to organize and focus their prayers, but instead of being an all visual moment, like writing, beads, something that can be touched is good for someone who is a hands on learner. There is no black and white in many situations as these. I tend to be a hands on processor, myself, and while I don’t usually use beads, I often wear simple bracelets of different colors to remind me to pray for something more often. For example, my Lilin’s favorite color is pink, so I wear a pink bracelet to remind me to pray for her more often, and when I pray, I often finger the bracelet in order to focus my thoughts.

One more point I feel the need to make, a majority of our “Christian” traditions do have Pagan origins. Early Christians often placed Christian holidays in the same time as Pagan holidays in attempt to replace them and gain more converts… However, Christmas(A holiday replacing a winter pagan holiday, which has links to the reason for the use of pine trees), in itself (not the commercialized one so much) really isn’t considered to be a Pagan tradition.

True, beads may be a distraction to some, but that is not their intended use. Labeling something that currently helps so many focus on God to be pagan, really doesn’t seem right.

]]> By: Caren http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-10292 Caren Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:45:16 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-10292 Prayer beads are a pagan device, a from of idolatry, which takes our focus off our relationship as our Father's children. The danger that we face with prayer beads is mindlessly going through a routine of praying, but paying no attention to what we are saying. Rather than engaging our minds and hearts, rather than thinking upon the Scripture as we pray, rather than consciously seeking the Father, we may fall prey to mumbling through a series of religious sounding words but do nothing more than the Hare Krishna. Prayer is dialogue with our Creator. It should never be ritual. In prayer we come to God in dependence upon the righteousness of Christ, casting ourselves upon His resources, and looking to Him as our Father that grants our hearing. He <em>“knows what you need before you ask Him”</em> — your prayer is a time to quiet your heart before Him, to pour out your needs, and to cling to Him in faithful dependence. I can hear Him now admonishing us.... <em>"put that toy away... come... sit here... look at me... ask me in faith and it will be given to you... I want to hear what you have to say..."</em> Prayer beads are a pagan device, a from of idolatry, which takes our focus off our relationship as our Father’s children.

The danger that we face with prayer beads is mindlessly going through a routine of praying, but paying no attention to what we are saying. Rather than engaging our minds and hearts, rather than thinking upon the Scripture as we pray, rather than consciously seeking the Father, we may fall prey to mumbling through a series of religious sounding words but do nothing more than the Hare Krishna.

Prayer is dialogue with our Creator. It should never be ritual. In prayer we come to God in dependence upon the righteousness of Christ, casting ourselves upon His resources, and looking to Him as our Father that grants our hearing.

He “knows what you need before you ask Him” — your prayer is a time to quiet your heart before Him, to pour out your needs, and to cling to Him in faithful dependence. I can hear Him now admonishing us…. “put that toy away… come… sit here… look at me… ask me in faith and it will be given to you… I want to hear what you have to say…”

]]> By: Kees Boer http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-10288 Kees Boer Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:15:31 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-10288 Hi, Prayer is very important. Whenever I talk to prospective sponsors, I always tell them that it takes three things to sponsor a child. 1. Prayer 2. Write them from time to time. 3. The $38/month Then I tell them that those are in the order of importance and also that they work like ingredients in a pie. In other words, if one is missing, the whole pie tastes bad. I pray for each of my children every day. The thing that becomes difficult sometimes is that I pray the same things over and over again. This is especially difficult with the ones, who aren't from a country where they write reciprocal letters, because it takes so long to find what new thing to pray for. Kees Hi,

Prayer is very important. Whenever I talk to prospective sponsors, I always tell them that it takes three things to sponsor a child.

1. Prayer
2. Write them from time to time.
3. The $38/month

Then I tell them that those are in the order of importance and also that they work like ingredients in a pie. In other words, if one is missing, the whole pie tastes bad.

I pray for each of my children every day. The thing that becomes difficult sometimes is that I pray the same things over and over again. This is especially difficult with the ones, who aren’t from a country where they write reciprocal letters, because it takes so long to find what new thing to pray for.

Kees

]]> By: Mike Stephens http://blog.compassion.com/importance-of-prayer/comment-page-1/#comment-10283 Mike Stephens Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:03:02 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=6173#comment-10283 Amber, I wanted to add something else. I greatly appreciate Compassion and ALL the workers that make the day to day things happen from my letters to the Sponsor Tours to working at the tables and getting trained as an Advocate!!!!!!! I bring a message from Cherrie V. Rose de Los Santos from Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines: "Your work and efforts are not in vain!!!!!!!" She shared her testimony during our dinner with the LDP students during the Sponsor Tour!!!!!!! I also wanted to add a question of my own...What is Compassion to me? So far as my short time as a sponsor Compassion is the special moment I got to share during a CSP home visit watching the staff help make finger puppets for the baby daughter of a young couple in the Philippines. Compassion is the tricycle driver who was missing an eye who poured hydrogen peroxide and put gaus and tape on my bleeding fingers after I dunked a basketball numerous times. Compassion is seeing God answer the prayers of my sponsor kids namely Reneboy Basinang who prayed I would visit and I did. Compassion is trusting God for my dreams as well as the dreams of my sponsored kids!!!!!!! Compassion is meeting my sponsored kids, their parents, and project staff face to face. Compassion is love and I Corinthians 13:8 "Love never fails!!!!!!!" Amber,

I wanted to add something else. I greatly appreciate Compassion and ALL the workers that make the day to day things happen from my letters to the Sponsor Tours to working at the tables and getting trained as an Advocate!!!!!!! I bring a message from Cherrie V. Rose de Los Santos from Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines: “Your work and efforts are not in vain!!!!!!!” She shared her testimony during our dinner with the LDP students during the Sponsor Tour!!!!!!! I also wanted to add a question of my own…What is Compassion to me? So far as my short time as a sponsor Compassion is the special moment I got to share during a CSP home visit watching the staff help make finger puppets for the baby daughter of a young couple in the Philippines. Compassion is the tricycle driver who was missing an eye who poured hydrogen peroxide and put gaus and tape on my bleeding fingers after I dunked a basketball numerous times. Compassion is seeing God answer the prayers of my sponsor kids namely Reneboy Basinang who prayed I would visit and I did. Compassion is trusting God for my dreams as well as the dreams of my sponsored kids!!!!!!! Compassion is meeting my sponsored kids, their parents, and project staff face to face. Compassion is love and I Corinthians 13:8 “Love never fails!!!!!!!”

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