Prayer - A Dialog With God
Transcription
Prayer - A Dialog With God
Book 1 Prayer Dialogs Reinforcing The Lord’s Prayer Contains 19 Sample Prayer Dialogs God Speaks To Us In Scripture We Respond In Prayer 1 2 PRAYER – A TWO-WAY DIALOG WITH GOD A Devotional Aid Prepared by Bill Ockert What Is A Prayer Dialog? We are indeed blessed to have a God who not only speaks to us in His Word but listens and responds to us when we talk with Him in prayer. The prayers contained in this book are referred to as “Prayer Dialogs”. In a Prayer Dialog, we initially listen to God, through His Word *, and then enter into a dialog, i.e. a two-way intimate conversation, with God. This approach, known as Lectio Devina, was initially developed by the early Christian Church in the 3rd Century. In this technique, God’s Word is first read and then its meaning is reflected upon through prayer and contemplation. The Lord’s Prayer Our Father In Heaven - Jesus himself, when He gave us the Lord’s Prayer, encouraged us to go to His Father in prayer. Imagine, the “created” can directly speak with the Almighty Father. In this book, 99 Prayer Dialogs are available that reinforce the seven petitions contained in the Lord’s Prayer. Each Prayer Dialog focuses on various facets of a petition. For instance, in addressing the first petition – Hallowed Be Your Name, the first three Prayer Dialogs state that we hallow God’s name because GOD IS ALMIGHTY, GOD IS HOLY, and GOD IS LOVE AND MERCY. Scripture can be compared to a multifaceted diamond displaying brilliant “rays of God’s truth”. Each Prayer Dialog attempts to capture the essence of the different “rays of light” revealed by God in Scripture. Over 400 scriptural passages have been selected that serve to reinforce the Lord’s Prayer. Mutually-supportive passages directly elucidating each Prayer Dialog are presented in a easy-to-read formant that promotes understanding and an appreciation of their application in our lives. 1 GOD SPEAKS TO US IN SCRIPTURE WE RESPOND IN PRAYER * Direct quotations from Jesus Identified in italics 2 Organization - Prayer Dialogs Reinforcing The Lord’s Prayer 1 2 Hallowed Be Your Name We Hallow God’s Name For Our God Is An Awesome God We Hallow God’s Name By Praising, Thanking And Worshipping God 3 4 Your Kingdom Come God’s Kingdom Is In His People God Reigns Over Heaven and Earth Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven 6 Forgive Us As We Forgive Others God Has A Greater Purpose 8 God Leads Us To Know And Do His Will Page 4 9 10 God Responds To The Faithful Jesus Performs Miracles 11 12 God Forgives Sins Confess And Repent To Receive Forgiveness Temptation Jesus Overcomes Page 13 16 God Delivers Us From Evil Page 19 Excerpt Included In This Sample 13 Pray For And Forgive Your Enemies 15 14 Lead Us Jesus Is More Not Into Powerful Temptation Than Any Deliver Us From Evil Page 34 7 God Works For Our Good Give Us Today Our Daily Bread 5 In God’s Kingdom, We Talk With God Through Prayer Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven Section 7 God Has A Greater Purpose Prayer Dialogs Jesus Came To Do His Father’s Will God Wills Good God Is The Perfect Father God Enables Spiritual Growth God Wills Peace God Wills Faith And Good Works God Disciplines His Own Scripture Romans 8:28 All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. Prayer Dialogs I-7-1 To I-7-7 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 4 Jesus Came To Do His Father’s Will God Speaks To Us In Scripture Jesus came to achieve a greater purpose for His people. Even when it meant suffering and death, Jesus said to His Father, “Not as I will, but as You will”. Jesus willingly gave His life for us. Not As I Will - But As You Will Matthew 26:39 I Came Down From Heaven To Do The Will Of Him That Sent Me John 6:38 All Things Work For Good For Those Who Love God, Who Are Called According To His Purpose Romans 8:28 We Respond In Prayer My Lord God, You are so much wiser than I am. Certainly, it’s best that Your will be done. Help me to see that, in Your divine providence, all that happens occurs to achieve Your purposes, even when You allow suffering or death. Doing Your will is my desire. Help me to pray according to Your will and joyfully accept Your godly governance. God of All Power – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-7-1 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 5 God Is The Perfect Father God Speaks To Us In Scripture Our Heavenly Father is the father of the fatherless, defender of widows, and the rock that brings victory. He gives good gifts, responding to the faithful prayers of those in His Son Jesus. Your Heavenly Father Gives Good Things To Those Who Ask Him Matthew 7:11 You Are My Father, My God - The Rock That Brings Me Victory Psalm 89:27 Father Of The Fatherless – Defender Of Widows Psalm 68:5 If Two Of You Agree About Anything For Which They Are To Pray, It Shall Be Granted To Them By My Heavenly Father Mathew 18:19 We Respond In Prayer Great Father God in heaven, I praise You for both Your holiness and Your grace. I know that You love and care for Your children here on earth. You truly are the perfect Father, always doing things for the good of Your children. The gift of Your Son Jesus demonstrates Your love of mankind. He is the perfect gift as You are the perfect Father. Father, I ask that Your Spirit help me to fully appreciate Your perfection and the many deeds that You perform in my life in response to my prayers. Most Perfect Father God – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-7-2 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 6 God Wills Peace God Speaks To Us In Scripture God wills that people live in peace, not in anxiety or conflict. Through faith in Jesus, we have His peace. Peace I Leave With You – My Peace I Give Unto You John 14:27 I Will Establish Peace In The Land – That You May Lie Down To Rest Without Anxiety Leviticus 26:6 When The Lord Is Pleased With A Man's Ways, He Makes Even His Enemies Be At Peace With Him Proverbs 16:7 May Grace And Peace Be Yours In Abundance II Peter 1:2 We Respond In Prayer My Precious Jesus, You are a God of peace. Jesus, I need Your peace. I strive for Your peace. Help me to follow Your way and thereby have Your peace and hope for the future. Thanks for the gift of peace – it brings great comfort to my soul. God of Peace – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-7-3 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 7 God Wills Good God Speaks To Us In Scripture It’s God’s will to achieve good. God only wants good for us. We can thank God because He blesses us abundantly, giving every good and perfect gift. Even Though You Meant Harm To Me - God Meant It For Good Genesis 50:20 Every Perfect Gift Is From Above – Coming Down From The Father Of James 1:17 Lights I, The Lord, Am Your God - Who Brought You Out Of The Land Of Egypt - That Place Of Slavery Exodus 20:2 O Give Thanks Unto The Lord For He Psalm 118:1 Is Good We Respond In Prayer Lord God, Your character is perfectly righteous. Evil is foreign to You. Your power to perform miracles for the good of Your people is truly exceptional. I trust that You will make good win out. That is Your will and workings. Help me to be optimistic despite the current earthly situation. I can be optimistic because my faith is in a powerful and perfect God who brings about good. God of Goodness – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-7-4 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 8 God Enables Spiritual Growth God Speaks To Us In Scripture It’s God’s will to achieve a greater purpose in His people - holiness in Christ. God works in us one step at a time. He drives out evil little by little as He lives and moves among us that we may be His people. Grow In Grace, And In The Knowledge Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ II Peter 3:18 Living The Truth In Love We Should Grow In Every Way Into Christ Eph. 4:15 God Said "I Will Live With Them And Move Among Them - I Will Be Their God And They Shall Be My II Corinthians 6:16 People” I Will Drive Them Out Little By Little Before You - Until You Have Grown Numerous Enough To Take Possession Exodus 23:30 We Respond In Prayer My Friend Jesus, thank You for Your patience in working with me. I catch on very slowly. Certainly, my spiritual growth is “snail-paced”, compared with Your infinite love and holiness. Help my walk with You every moment every day. I continue to look forward to making progress under the direction and assistance of Your Holy Spirit. Please continue to work in and on me. God of Grace – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-7-5 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 9 God Wills Faith And Good Works God Speaks To Us In Scripture It’s God’s will to strengthen our faith and build the character of His people. God works in those who are rooted in Jesus to produce good fruit. Jesus is the vine – we are the branches. Blessed Is The Man Who Trusts In The Lord – He Is Like A Tree Planted Beside The Waters Jeremiah 17:8 We Are His Handiwork - Created In Christ Jesus For Good Works Eph. 2:10 God Is The One Who, For His Good Purpose, Works In You Both To Desire And To Work Philippians 2:13 I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches -Whoever Remains In Me And I In Him Will Bear Much Fruit John 15:5 We Respond In Prayer My Lord Jesus, I know that trust in You is key to my existence and future. Continue to be the source of faith and of any good that is in me. I ask that You strengthen my faith. Jesus, You are the true vine and I am a “branch” created in You for good works. Work in me to build Godly character, that I may produce good fruit. Jesus My True Vine – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-7-6 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 10 God Disciplines His Own God Speaks To Us In Scripture It’s God’s will to achieve a greater purpose for His followers. God disciplines those He loves to achieve His purposes. For Whom The Lord Loves - He Hebrews 12:6-7 Disciplines Affliction Produces Character, And Hope Endurance, Romans 5:3-5 A Thorn In The Flesh Was Given To Me To Keep Me From Being Too Elated II Corinthians 12:7 We Respond In Prayer Father God, You are totally wise. You know what’s best for Your followers. While it’s hard to accept, I know that, as a result of faith in You, that a “WAIT” from You to my prayers is for my own good. Your timing is perfect! I also know that You allow hardships for my good and the good of Your kingdom. Thank You for Your many responses to my prayers. They truly are appropriate and for my good. Father God – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-7-7 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 11 Ephesians 2 God Has A Greater Purpose God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ. This is not from you; it is the gift of God. It is not from works, so no one may boast. By grace you have been saved through faith. We are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance that we should live in them. Primary Scripture Jesus Came To Do His Not as I will, but as you will. Father’s Matthew 26:39-44 Will Your Heavenly God Is The Father gives Perfect Father good things. Matthew 17:11 God Wills Peace Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto John 14:27 you. God Disciplines His Own Prayer Dialogs I-7-1 To I-7-7 God Wills Good Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good. Genesis 50:20 God Enables Spiritual Growth Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus II Peter 3:18 Christ. God Wills Faith And Good Works Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord - He is like a tree planted beside the waters. Jeremiah 17:8 For whom the Lord loves, he disciplines. Hebrews 12:6 Section 7 – God Has A Greater Purpose Page 12 Lead Us Not Into Temptation Section 14 Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Prayer Dialogs Jesus’ Power Is Greater Than Any Temptation Jesus Gives Discernment Turn To Jesus Jesus Gives His Power Scripture Romans 8:37 In all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. Prayer Dialogs I-14-1 To I-14-4 Section 14 – Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Page 13 Jesus’ Power Is Greater Than Any Temptation God Speaks To Us In Scripture Jesus has great power to overcome many perils, including the most seductive temptations presented by Satan. We are assured that the Holy Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. Lord, You Are Great - Great And Mighty Is Your Name Jeremiah 10:6 The Spirit Comes To The Aid Of Our Weakness Romans 8:26 In Their Distress They Cried To The Lord - Who Brought Them Out Of Their Peril Psalm 107:6-7 Jesus Was Led By The Spirit Into The Desert - Jesus Said To Him “Get Away, Satan!” Luke 4:1-8 We Respond In Prayer Jesus, my Perfect Savior, You truly are the power who can overcome all temptations. You demonstrated that in the desert and throughout Your ministry on earth. I often encounter temptations that seem just so intriguing. While I know I should push away, regretfully I fall into sin. I need Your power! Help me to say NO to each and every temptation. With Your power, there is victory over Satan and his temptations. Thank You, Jesus, for Your victory. Powerful Jesus – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-14-1 Section 14 – Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Page 14 Jesus Gives Discernment God Speaks To Us In Scripture Jesus enables us to discern right from wrong. We need wisdom and prudence given by God to know God’s will. The Holy Spirit guides us in His righteousness. May The Lord Give You Prudence And Discernment I Chronicles 22:10 The Lord Guides The Humble In Righteousness Psalm 25:8-9 The Fear Of The Lord Is The Beginning Of Wisdom - Prudent Are All Who Practice It Psalm 111:10 Teach Us To Count Our Days Aright – That We May Gain Wisdom Of Heart Psalm 90:12 We Respond In Prayer Jesus, All Wise King, You have all the answers. It seems like there is so much confusion in this world. Sometimes, it seems like the world is “up-side down”. I need Your wisdom to sort out the truth from the devil’s lies. Only with Your judgment based on Your truth will I be able to discern temptations. Wise King Jesus – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-14-2 Section 14 – Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Page 15 Turn To Jesus God Speaks To Us In Scripture When tempted, we need to turn to Jesus who has the power to overcome all of our temptations. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes. Jesus provides His light and strength to enable us to turn away. I Will Open Their Eyes That They May Turn From Darkness To Light Acts 26:18 Let Us Search And Examine Our Ways - And Return To The Lord Laminations 3:40 Teach Me, Lord, Your Way That I May Walk In Your Truth Psalm 86:11 I Came Into The World As Light, So That Everyone Who Believes In Me Might Not Remain In Darkness John 12:46 We Respond In Prayer Most Powerful Jesus, I need to turn to You for the strength needed to resist temptations. On my own, I am weak and often fall for the false “glories” offered by the devil. You alone can give the strength to resist temptations. Let me turn away from the belief that I can handle temptations on my own and accept the fact that I need Your strength. Thank You in advance for giving me Your strength. My Jesus – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-14-3 Section 14 – Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Page 16 Jesus Gives His Power God Speaks To Us In Scripture Jesus’ power is great in a Christian. Jesus gives us His power to resist temptations and be holy. Christ Is Not Weak Toward You But Powerful In You II Corinthians 13:3 In All These Things We Conquer Overwhelmingly Through Him Who Loved Us Romans 8:37 To Those Who Did Accept Him He Gave Power To Become Children Of God John 1:12 Jesus Said To Him “Everything Is Possible To One Who Has Faith” Mark 9:23 We Respond In Prayer Jesus, You are my God. You are the great power who conquers overwhelmingly. In contrast, I am weak and very subject to the temptations of the world and the devil. I need You as my power! Instill in me the ability to resist temptation and to follow Your way. Thank You for giving Your power. Powerful Jesus – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-14-4 Section 14 – Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Page 17 II Cor. 13 Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Christ is not weak toward you but powerful in you. For indeed he was crucified out of weakness, but he lives by the power of God. We who are weak in him shall live with him by the power of God. Primary Scripture Jesus’ Power Is Greater Than Any Temptation No one is like you, Lord, You are great, great and mighty is your name. Turn To Jesus I will open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light. Acts 26:18 Jeremiah 10:6 Jesus Gives Discernment May the Lord give you prudence and discernment. Jesus Gives His Power I Chronicles 22:10 Prayer Dialogs I-14-1 To I-14-4 Section 14 – Jesus Is More Powerful Than Any Temptation Christ is not weak toward you but powerful in you. II Corinthians 13:3 Page 18 Deliver Us From Evil Section 16 God Delivers Us From Evil Prayer Dialogs God Hates Sin God Delivers God Protects Against Evil Jesus Frees Us God Gives Strength For The Battle Jesus Enables Us To Be Holy In Him Jesus Gives His Power To Resist God Brings Good Out Of Evil Scripture Colossians 1:13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. Prayer Dialogs I-16-1 To I-16-8 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 19 God Hates Sin God Speaks To Us In Scripture God stores up His wrath for the proud, stubborn and impenitent. God will exercise his wrath and fury on those who selfishly disobey His truth. Every Proud Heart Abomination To The Lord Is An Proverbs 16:5 By Your Stubbornness And Impenitent Heart, You Are Storing Up Wrath For Yourself Romans 2:5 God Will Repay Everyone According To His Works: Eternal Life To Those Who Seek Glory, Honor, And Immortality Through Perseverance In Good Works, But Wrath And Fury To Those Who Selfishly Disobey The Truth And Obey Wickedness Romans 2:1 We Respond In Prayer My God, You are a righteous God who hates sins of all sorts. I confess that I sin every day and deserve Your punishment. Rather than punishment, I ask for Your mercy based on the blood of Your Son. Jesus, thank You for giving Your life as a sacrifice to eliminate the consequences of sin. I therefore, joyfully and with deep gratitude, accept the freedom from condemnation that You offer. I don’t deserve this freedom, the credit is all Yours. Help me to say no to every temptation. Most Righteous God – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-1 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 20 God Protects Against Evil God Speaks To Us In Scripture God rescues us from every evil threat. He guards His followers wherever they go. We can take refuge in our Lord God for He promises to strengthen us and guard us from the evil one. No Evil Shall Befall You - The Lord Commands His Angels To Guard You Wherever You Go Psalm 91:9-11 The Lord Is Faithful - He Will Strengthen You And Guard You From The Evil One II Thessalonians 3:3 The Lord Will Rescue Me From Every Evil Threat And Will Bring Me Safe To His Heavenly Kingdom II Timothy 4:18 The Lord Will Guard You From All Evil - He Will Guard Your Soul. The Lord Will Guard Your Coming And Going Psalm 121:7-8 We Respond In Prayer Powerful God, You are more powerful than any evil. You alone can protect me when I am confronted by evil. Continue to provide Your protection and deliverance. My Jesus, I take refuge in You, asking that You guard me from all evil. Thanks for Your love and overwhelming protection. My Rescuing God – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-2 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 21 God Gives Strength For The Battle God Speaks To Us In Scripture God safeguards us with His overwhelming strength so we can resist Satan’s evil temptations and blows. We draw our strength from the Lord so we can stand firm against Satan. Put On The Armor Of God So That You May Be Able To Stand Firm Against The Devil’s Tactics Ephesians 6:10-11 Draw Your Strength From The Lord And From His Mighty Power Ephesians 6:10-11 By The Power Of God, You Are Safeguarded Through Faith, To A Salvation That Is Ready To Be Revealed I Peter 1:5 Yours, Lord, Are Greatness And Might - Majesty, Victory, And Splendor - You Are Exalted As Head Over All I Chronicles 29:11 We Respond In Prayer Jesus, Your power far exceeds any evil that Satan can throw my way. I ask for Your power. Powerful Jesus, You safeguard us, giving Your armor needed to resist the devil. I am so thankful that You continue to give me Your strength that I need to fight the battle. Only with Your armor can I stand up to the temptations and evil of this world. Lord Jesus - I need Your victory – every hour of the day. Powerful Jesus – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-3 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 22 Jesus Gives His Power To Resist God Speaks To Us In Scripture Jesus gives us His power to overcome temptations and resist evil. Jesus puts His Spirit in His followers, giving them His power to turn away from sin and do His will. I Will Put My Spirit Within You So That You Walk In My Statutes Ezekiel 36:27 I Have The Strength For Everything Through Him Who Empowers Me Philippians 4:13 Jesus Approached And Said To Them “All Power Has Been Given To Me” Matthew 28:18 In The World You Will Have Trouble - But Take Courage, I Have Conquered The World John 16:33 We Respond In Prayer My Precious Jesus, evil is no match for You. I am often confronted by evil. I need Your power and deliverance. Let me remain in You and You in me. As Your child, I need Your strength and protection from the evil one. You, Jesus, are the conqueror of evil. I ask for Your strength that I may resist temptations. Jesus God of All Power – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-4 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 23 God Delivers God Speaks To Us In Scripture God uses His power to deliver us from darkness, evil, and sin. He delivers us from the power of darkness into his Son’s kingdom of light. We Are Delivered From The Law That We May Serve In The Newness Of The Spirit Romans 7:6 The Victory That Conquers The World Is Our Faith I John 5:4 Our Father In Heaven …. Deliver Us From Evil Matthew 6:13 He Delivered Us From The Power Of Darkness And Transferred Us To The Kingdom Of His Beloved Son Colossians 1:13 We Respond In Prayer Lord God, You are the deliverer from all evil. Jesus, I know the timing for fully removing all evil from this world is the Father’s. Give me the patience to wait. You, Jesus, have the power to respond to our prayers for deliverance from the power of darkness, evil, and sin in my life. I know You will. God My Deliverer – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-5 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 24 Jesus Frees Us God Speaks To Us In Scripture Jesus frees us from being slaves to sin. In Christ, our old self is crucified. We are now free from the bondage of sin and have become slaves of God. Our Old Self Was Crucified With Him So That We Might No Longer Be In Slavery To Sin Romans 6:6 For Freedom Christ Set Us Free – So Stand Firm Galatians 5:1 You Were Called For Freedom - Do Not Use This Freedom For The Flesh - Serve One Another Through Love Galatians 5:13 Be Free - Yet Without Using Freedom As A Pretext For Evil, But As Slaves Of God I Peter 2:16 We Respond In Prayer My Savior Jesus, You have the power to set Your people free from the bondage of sin. I ask for this freedom in order to be close to You and show Your love. I need Your strength to stand against evil, resist sin and be truly free. Thank You for freedom! Victorious Jesus – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-6 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 25 Jesus Enables Us To Be Holy In Him God Speaks To Us In Scripture God delivers us from the power of sin, transferring us to the Son’s kingdom. Those who believe in Jesus are victors. Jesus enables His followers to live in righteousness, sanctification and redemption. He Delivered Us From The Power Of Darkness And Transferred Us To His Kingdom Colossians 1:13 Who Is The Victor Over The World But The One Who Believes That Jesus Is The Son Of God I John 5:5 The Lord Will Give You Support – He Will Never Allow The Righteous To Stumble Psalm 55:22 Christ Jesus Became For Us Wisdom From God As Well As Righteousness, Sanctification, And Redemption I Corinthians 1:30 We Respond In Prayer Lord Jesus, You truly are holy and have the power to transform Your followers so that they can resist evil and become holy in You. I ask for Your empowerment. While progress seems so slow, I know it’s dependent on my willingness to change. Your power is there for the asking. Help my weakness. Thank You for choosing me and transforming me to be like You. Most Holy Jesus – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-7 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 26 God Brings Good Out Of Evil God Speaks To Us In Scripture Despite the workings of the devil, God conquers evil. To achieve his purposes, God allows evil but always brings about good. All Things Work For Good For Those Who Love God Romans 8:28 Even Though You Meant Harm To Me, God Meant It For Good Genesis 50:20 Christ Died For Sins Once For All So That He Might Bring Us To God Put To Death In The Flesh But Alive In The Spirit I Peter 3:18 Christ Suffered For You - Leaving An Example For You To Follow In His Steps I Peter 2:21 We Respond In Prayer Father God, You are all good and the conqueror of evil. In this world, we all go through trials and difficulties. Holy Spirit, continue to be in me and give Your goodness that I may persevere and grow in faith and in Your grace. Jesus, at the end of the world, You will do away with all evil and only good will last. I’m looking forward to Your full victory. In this world, I pray that that You continue to overcome evil and bring about good in Your followers. You are perfectly good! Jesus God of Goodness – Your Will Be Done Prayer Dialog I-16-8 Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 27 God Delivers Us From Evil Psalm 18 I love you, Lord, my strength, Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold! The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction terrified me. The snares of death lay in wait for me. In my distress I called out: Lord! I cried out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry to him reached his ears. He parted the heavens and came down, a dark cloud under his feet. Mounted on a cherub he flew, borne along on the wings of the wind. The Lord thundered from heaven; the Most High made his voice resound. He let fly his arrows and scattered them; shot his lightning bolts and dispersed them. He reached down and drew me out of the deep waters. He rescued me from my mighty enemy, from foes too powerful for me. Praise be the Lord, I exclaim! I have been delivered from my enemies. They attacked me on my day of distress. The Lord rescued me because he loves me. Primary Scripture God Hates Sin Every proud heart is an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 16:5 Romans 7:6 No evil shall befall you - he commands God his angels with Protects regard to you, to Against Evil guard you wherever you go. Psalm 91:10-11 Put on the armor of God Gives God so that you may Strength For be able to stand firm The Battle against the tactics of the devil. Eph. 6:10-11 I will put my Spirit Jesus Gives within you so that His Power you walk in my To Resist statutes. Ezekiel 36:27 Prayer Dialogs I-16-1 To I-16-8 God Delivers We are delivered from the law that we may serve in the newness of the Spirit. Jesus Frees Us Our old self was crucified with him, so that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. Romans 6:6 He delivered us from Jesus the power of darkness Enables Us and transferred us to To Be his kingdom. Holy In Him Colossians 1:13 God Brings All things work for good Good Out for those who love God. Romans 8:28 Of Evil Section 16 – God Delivers Us From Evil Page 28 The Blessings of Scripture and Prayer We are all in need of a God we can trust. In searching Scripture, we find The God who is both Truth and utterly dependable. In a Prayer Dialog, we pray in response to God’s trustworthy messages contained in Scripture. When we pray, we have God’s assurances “The favoring hand of our God is upon all who seek Him.” We are also assured “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This approach results in great blessings: As stated in Scripture, both Scripture and Prayer are powerful in a believer. This topical approach uses Scripture to interpret and reinforce other Scripture, a method used by Bible scholars. This approach allows a Christian to focus on a particular topic. For instance, in addressing the topic God Adopts Us, Scripture reveals that God has adopted believers in Jesus Christ into His family. He bestows His love on His adopted children. The prayers that flow from Scripture involve a broad range of Godly responses including submission, thanks, praise, worship, penance, love for others, pleas of dependency, and prayers seeking to know and do God’s will in our lives. As promised in God’s Word, the Holy Spirit intercedes in helping us both to understand and apply Scripture, as well as in formulating our prayers. Through His Word and our humble and faithful prayers, Jesus continues to meet our day-to-day challenges by providing His encouragement, light, guidance, strength, healing, comfort, hope, and joy on our journey through life. Seek the Lord while He may be found – Call upon Him while He is near Isaiah 55:6 Everything created by God is good ... for it is sanctified by means of the Word of God and prayer I Tim. 4:3 In everything, by prayer and petition make your requests known to God Phil. 4:6 Continue to seek God’s kingdom in Scripture and Prayer and you will find the Truth – Jesus He is the way and the truth and the life The Power of Scripture and Prayer The Scripture passages and prayers contained in these books are intended to be used as devotional aids in the reader’s prayer life. God’s Word states that both Scripture and prayer are powerful godly prescriptions for a person’s spiritual wellbeing, sanctifying them in their inner self. God’s process of sanctifying a person (being made holy) is known as Sanctifying Grace. As Jesus said to His Father in Prayer: I in them and you in me that they may be brought to perfection as one. John 17:23 Robert H. Brom, Bishop Emeritus, explains Sanctifying Grace this way *: “Sanctifying grace makes the soul holy; it gives the soul supernatural life. In its natural state, the soul isn’t fit for heaven. What you need to live in heaven is supernatural life because you will be in perfect and absolute union with God, the source of all life. Sanctifying grace involves a real transformation of the soul. Souls are cleansed by an infusion of the supernatural life (Paul speaks of us as "a new creation“). Justification also involves a real transformation, a real, experiential freeing from sin, not just a change of legal status. When God declares you justified, he makes you justified. Sanctification and justification aren’t just one-time events, but are ongoing processes in the life of the believer. God is working within us - our intellects are given the new power of faith and our wills are given new powers of hope and charity. Scripture stresses that we have made a decisive break with sin that must be reflected in our behavior. As scripture says: Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies. Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life. Romans 6:13 Christ Is Able To Accomplish Far More Than All We Ask Or Imagine, By The Power At Work Within Us Eph. 3:20 I Have The Strength For Everything Through Him Who Empowers Me Phil. 4:13 Living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head – Christ Eph. 4:15 Continue to seek God’s kingdom in Scripture and Prayer and you will find the Truth – Jesus He will set you free and you will be free indeed * Used By Permission Prayer Dialog Books About 1,500 Scripture selections have been highlighted in three books. This booklet contains fourteen out of over 330 Prayer Dialogs reinforcing three Christian treasures: The Lord’s Prayer The Nicene Creed The Gospel of John Our Father In Heaven Jesus himself, when He gave us the Lord’s Prayer, encouraged us to go to His Father in prayer. This book features 99 Prayer Dialogs reinforcing the seven petitions contained in the Lord’s Prayer. I Believe – The Nicene Creed was developed by the early church (Council of Nicaea) in the Year 325 in order to clearly state the fundamental beliefs of a Christian and to combat errors depicting the nature of Jesus Christ. This book contains 95 Prayer Dialogs Jesus – Son of the Holy God – John’s Gospel demonstrates that Jesus is the true Son of God sent to this world by a gracious God to overcome evil and death, turn people from sin, and achieve an intimate union with His followers. This book contains 123 Prayer Dialogs Prayer Dialog Books can be obtained in two ways: If you have internet connections, go to my web site – Prayer Dialog.com. Select the Buy button. This will bring up the order form where you purchase one or more books ($9.95 each plus shipping). If you don’t have internet connections, call me at (813) 766-3528. I will order the book(s) for you. Prayer Dialog Booklets 1 Prayer Dialog Booklets can be obtained for $1 each (plus shipping) by calling me at (813) 766-3528. In addition to paper copies, pdf versions of the booklets are available. I will e-mail them to you free of charge. 1 The booklets contain the same Prayer Dialogs that are in the books. They are topically organized and packaged in a shortened form so that the Prayer Dialogs contained in each booklet can be conveniently used in one or two prayer sessions. Credits Special thanks go to our gracious God, who through His Holy Spirit, inspired Holy Scripture. The prayers contained in this book were the result of God’s work and inspiration. I also express my thanks to my loving wife, Patricia, for her support of this effort as well as for setting an example of a devout and regular prayer life. I would also like to thank Jerry Veierstahler for his constructive comments on the book. I recommend you visit Jerry’s Website desktopangel.com for Christian inspiration. Lastly, I thank my brother, John, for his help and encouragement in producing and distributing this book. About The Preparer - Bill Ockert, a retired Civil Engineer specializing in transportation, is married and has three adult daughters, all in the field of medicine. He has long been a student of the Bible, believing strongly in the inerrancy and power of God’s Word. He converted to Catholicism in the Year 2001, after being an active Lutheran for over six decades. - Copyright 2012 All of the photos and drawings contained in this book were either purchased from Getty Images under Royalty-Free Arrangements Or Obtained From Public Domain Photos. Scripture contained herein was extracted from the New American Bible as contained in the website maintained by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. About The Cover – This illustration is a drawing of a Christian in prayer. We are urged by Jesus in Matthew, “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven: Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven, Give us today our daily bread; Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; Do not subject us to the final test, Deliver us from the evil one.”