“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NASB).
In prayer, we can praise, thank, and make requests of God. Is it proper to ask God to improve our health or to provide us a car so we can get to work? Or are we only to make spiritual requests, asking for help to develop patience, overcome jealousy, or speak the right words of comfort in grief? A careful study helps to find Biblical guidelines for our prayer lives.
(1) Pray for your Enemies Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28
While it is natural to want punishment or destruction of our enemies, Jesus admonishes “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27, 28 NASB). Opposite to our natural human thinking, Jesus said, “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:33, 36 NASB).
How can we pray for our enemies? We can pray for their deliverance from the snares and delusions of Satan, and the blindness which hinders them from discerning the beauty of holiness. Yet, such prayers must be made with great humility, lest we be overcome with the pride of the Pharisees (Luke 18:9-14). Samuel sets an example by praying for the unfaithful nation of Israel who asked for a king in place of their true King, Jehovah. Even so, Samuel said, “God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23).
we should all ways pray,because if we donot pray we can not love .and we really cannot pray for our enemies.matthew;5;44
Hi Annie Johnson, welcome and thanks for reading and commenting. Would you tell us a little About yourself. If not enjoy discussions and comment. Sincerely Jacqueline
here is a prayer to share 🙂
to the One who produces cause for exultation, do I implore
Where, O Jehova, have you driven to the vicinity, as the well endowment? Where is the descriptive one to conceal?
from the face of Jehova, does the evil one pretentiously exult himself
to Jehova, they give no admiration!
before Jehova, does the lawless one excuse his excitability>
O Jah, we should each examine the means for excitement; as to adjust the inward emotion
(as from selfish endeavor)
to you O Sovereign, we should each examine the means for excitement, as to adjust the inward emotion
to you, O Jah, will we evermore beseech>
we find no cause for exultation among those to remove themselves from you.
you are Maker of Heaven & earth .we are your subjective dominion. to the voice of Jehova, do we ponder upon excitability! wherefore perceiving, the will that Jehova shall examine this.
there is one to actuate the resounding declaration to which you express;
there issues forth concurrence , the one to Sprout, does he speak to the administering of his surroundings
HE will cause the expressions to motivate deeper & inward inhibitions He is the voice of someone who cries out to the Exuberant one, that the subjects forever present honor
thru the enlightenment of Christ I pray, amen
Anonymous2 thank you for the prayer. We hope to have you on the Wednesday night study.
there are several quotes I’ve found in the new study I’ve taken up in the”Divine Plan book, which I’ve had in my possession for several yrs. my copy is dated (1886)
as I move along in my readings I wish to share some viewpoints 🙂
the first, is considering p. 38, the studies “claims of the Bible; evidence of credibility; antiquity & preservation; MOTIVES OF THE WRITERS; its MORAL influence& General Characters of its writings
would love for other Christians to plz join in
here is my considering
ALL acclamation’s of divine Inspiration MUST uphold to
superior standards & thru the backing of Jehova’s spirit.
It MUST excel thru holiness, fortitude; as praiseworthy,
implying God’s pure justification
& beyond ALL human standards for wisdom & holy insight (as quoted on the bottom of page 38 by Brother Russell)
The Bible is not a book to be read merely; it is a book to be studied with care & thought; for God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, & his ways than our ways>
I am focusing on the prophetic terms that on such rarity; Jehova has indoctrinated to that of humanity.
on page 27, it speaks of Paul being given these revelations,& prophetic fulfillment’s & thru the spirit’s guidance- which we were able to appreciate more fully than the early church
I believe this. & because of the intro words announced a special revelation of things NOT previously understood.even John (as the Divine Plan explains) who saw the visions, was probably (clueless) as to the significance of unfolding revelations
with prayer & discernment;
For Christ, himself, commissioned the “helper” to administer what is further publicized, for the apportion of Good news.
HE would make known the elementary accounting’s. & to this, does he conclusively set what considers exemplary before sons of men.
He, being the Christ, for all times considered, that certain proclamations had maintained discretion.
to the listener, did he impart seasons of refreshment, hereby this manner.
He would happen to accurate the finality of accounting’s , and so the sons of apostles would accredit belonging the helper.
wherefore is stated; these could not ascertain (in former times) new proclamation of divine nature; as to render no judgment among themselves. *(continuing thru humble acts of obedience)*
& now to consider, that the Sovereign Jehova withstood controversial error for centuries, & to millenniums.
to this does he assign the helper thru originating sacred credence
this expresses judgement & liability to eradicate all means of indecency
being the Sacred Oracle, Christ ascended to the Father of Celestial lights, & for all times to exist in the heavens.
He, being the Chosen, & true Exemplar to ascend from the realms above, will solidly bring about the first of propriety & without the judgmental abdications of men…
to the one adjusting insight, shall the proprietor of our souls impel the benefit of Everlasting glory
& this from his all inclusive nature