Enter Into his Gates with Thanksgiving

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are:

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you; Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest. Thank you, Lord, for life.
 

A Beautiful Prayer

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

THIS DAY IS YOURS DON'T THROW IT AWAY

May God Bless You, "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world"
 

Parental Traits
My prayer for you and your children and your companion - sumner

Quote Magazine (September 1, 1985) published ten behaviors children ages 8 to 14 identified as qualities they wanted in parents. These young people, from 24 countries, agreed on ten traits they believed were important for all parents to possess. Here they are:

1. They want harmony. They do not want their parents to have unresolved and destructive conflict in front of them.

2. They want love. They wish to be treated with the same affection as other children in the family.

3. They want honesty. And to be told the truth.

4. They want acceptance. They desire mutual tolerance from both parents.

5. They want their parents to like their friends. They want their friends to be welcomed in the home.

6. They want closeness. They desire comradeship with their parents.

7. They want their parents to pay attention to them and answer their questions.

8. They want consideration from their parents. They do not want to be embarrassed or punished in front of friends.

9. They want positive support. They wish for their parents to concentrate on their good points rather than their weaknesses.

10. They want consistency. They desire parents to be constant in their affections and moods.

It appears that these children want what all of us want - respect, consideration and love. In fact, these work well with "children" of all ages!

Copy these, put on the refrigerator and let's work on them daily
 

Just Push

When everything seems to go wrong, just push
When the job gets you down, just push
When people don't react the way you think they should, just push
When your money looks funny and the bills are due, just push
When you want to curse them out for whatever the reason, just push
When you ask the question, when is my ship coming in? (as I often do), just push
When people just don't understand you, just push

Not to continue on and on...let me tell you what PUSH stands for.

P-ray
U-ntil
S-omething
H-appens
 

---

Power Through Prayer
by Edward M. Bounds

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12

The great masters and teachers in Christian doctrine have always found in prayer their highest source of illumination.

While many private prayers, in the nature of things, must be short; while public prayers, as a rule, ought to be short and condensed; yet in our private communions with God time is a feature essential to its value.

Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying. Prayer which is felt as a mighty force is the mediate or immediate product of much time spent with God. Our short prayers owe their point and efficiency to the long ones that have preceded them.

God’s acquaintance is not made by pop calls. God does not bestow his gifts on the casual or hasty comers and goers. Much with God alone is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him.

Christ, who in this as well as other things is our Example, spent many whole nights in prayer. His custom was to pray much. He had his habitual place to pray. Many long seasons of praying make up his history and character. Paul prayed day and night. It took time from very important interests for Daniel to pray three times a day. David’s morning, noon, and night praying were doubtless on many occasions very protracted.

The men who have most fully illustrated Christ in their character, and have most powerfully affected the world for him, have been men who spent so much time with God as to make it a notable feature of their lives.

Of Mr. Wesley it was said "He thought prayer to be more his business than anything else, and I have seen him come out of his closet with a serenity of face next to shining."

Luther said: "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer."

John Welch, the holy and wonderful Scotch preacher, thought the day ill spent if he did not spend eight or ten hours in prayer. He kept a plaid that he might wrap himself when he arose to pray at night. His wife would complain when she found him lying on the ground weeping. He would reply: "O woman, I have the souls of three thousand to answer for, and I know not how it is with many of them!"
 

The Power of Prayer

The possibilities and necessity of prayer, its power and results are manifested in arresting and changing the purposes of God and in relieving the stroke of His power. Abimelech was smitten by God:

So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.

For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech. because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Job's miserable mistaken, comforters had so deported themselves in their controversy with Job that God's wrath was kindled against them. "My servant Job shall pray for you," said God, "for him will I accept."

"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends."

Jonah was in dire condition when" the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest." When lots were cast, "the lot fell upon Jonah." He was cast overboard into the sea, but" the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.. . .Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly . . . and the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land."

When the disobedient prophet lifted up his voice in prayer, God heard and sent deliverance.

Pharaoh was a firm believer in the possibilities of prayer, and its ability to relieve. When staggering under the woeful curses of God, he pleaded with Moses to' intercede for him. "Entreat the Lord for me," was his pathetic appeal four times repeated when the plagues were scourging Egypt. Four times were these urgent appeals made to Moses, and four times did prayer lift the dread curse from the king and his doomed land.

E.M. Bounds
Purpose in Prayer
Pages 15-16
 

Sumner's Personal Prayer List
Ps 100:4

(Please read all verses at least once)
Think what you are praying, visualize!

1 Thankful for being Saved, De 16:3 - Blessings Lk17:17
2 Praise -v4- Who He is and what He does
3 Laver - judge self - confess sin 1 Jn 1:9
4 Lovest thou Me? Jn21:15, Say: I love You
   Abba Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit
5 Ask for Holy Spirit to fill and control you, 1 Jn 5:14f
6 Wisdom 1 Kings 3:7-9 James 1:5 Prov 3:13ff
7 What do You want me to do? Acts 9:6
8 Ask for lost souls - Jas 4:2;Acts 16:14
9 Give me boldness - Acts 4:29-31; 2 Tim 1:7
10 Heal me-Asa sought not God 2 Ch 16:12
     Biblical Prayer List 1 Tim 2:1-4
11 Pray-"first of all": vs 1; Lk 5:5 "I will"
12 "All men" 6 billion to be saved- "Thy will "
13 All kings to be saved - v4 "Thy will done"
14 All in authority - Gov. etc - saved - Thy will
15 Send forth laborers Mt 9:37; Acts13:2-4
16 Peace o Je-all Is-saved Ps 122;Ro 10:1
17 Enemies - God bless - do good Mt 5:44
     What to pray for people-Col 1:9-11
18 Put a hunger within them Ps 42:1,2
19 Put a hedge around them Job 1:10
20 Put Your hand upon them Ezra 7 & 8

The Lord's Prayer List Lk.11;Mat.6:9-15
21 "Say": Hallowed be Thy name Lk 11:2
22 Thy kingdom come - U come Rev 22:20
23 Thy will be done on earth-as in heaven
24 Give us this day our daily bread-needs
25 Forgive us our sins as we forgive 11:4
26 Lead us not into temptation 11:4
27 Deliver us from evil (the evil one) 11:4
28 Thine is the kingdom - Mt 16:15 Lk 6:46
29 Thine is the power - not mine Zech 4:6
30 Thine is the glory - not mine Isa 42:8
31 List family, children, loved ones, friends
32 Pastor, church, ministries, missionaries
33 Special requests: Matt 6:10, Eph.6:18
     Upgrade lists regularly on 3x5 cards
     Jabez' prayer list 1 Chron 4:10
34 Bless me indeed cf Jacob Gen 32:26
35 Enlarge my borders, ministry, impact
36 Let Your hand be upon me Ezra 7 & 8
     7:6 "requests" 7:9 Came to Jerusalem
     7:28 ...strengthened 8:18 Brought help
     8:31 Delivered "by the hand of God"
37 Keep me from evil
     Jabez was a nobody and
     God granted him his requests!
     Ask, He is still doing it today! Ja 4:2
 

Parables On Prayer

The Lord Jesus introduced two parables about prayer and two principles for prayer in the Gospels. Wisely listen and learn His lessons on prayer. These lessons must become the footing and foundation of all praying. If you run an atomic plant you must faithfully follow the rules and regulations for it to run right. "How much more" as Jesus would say, should we practice our prayer life by the rules and regulations in the Bible! These rules are invaluable to successful praying.

The First Parable: Persistent Praying

"And He said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer from within and say, Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs" (Lk. 11:5-8).

We pray to a "Friend"

No matter how close his friendship may have been, his friend was reluctant to get up and give him what he wanted. Now bursting on us is the most terrific teaching on prayer in this parable and maybe in the whole Bible. Revealed right here is the master key to unlock the mysteries of why prayers are answered or why they are not answered. "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs" (Luke 11:8).

Keep on asking

Because of his "importunity," (the King James Version uses this word for "persistence") he got what he requested. What does this rather unusual and unused word importunity mean? Webster indicates: "To be persistent in asking, refusing to be denied, annoyingly urgent or persistent." The Greek word for importunity "anaidia" means "shameless persistence." THIS IS IT! Be persistent and "keep on asking." Maybe the single most important ingredient to getting your prayers answered is right here, "keep asking." You must have the tenacity of a bull dog to "keep on asking" for there will be a myriad of things to detour you or to discourage you from keeping at it. It is not redundant asking, it is not "vain repetitions as the heathen do" (Matt. 6:7), it is not our verbiage but our persistent asking, day in and day out, until the answer comes or we know why not.

Hindrances to prayer

We must keep on asking, for often there are hindrances with which we must deal. If there are hindrances, through persistent asking you can be sure the Lord will call them to your mind, even as He did Joshua when God distinctly declared in Joshua 7:10,11 "Israel has sinned." When the hindrance was realized and confessed, there followed astounding answers. Every earnest, persistent prayer warrior can testify to times when there was a hindrance that God singled out. In chapter fourteen we see some of these hindrances, some of which, we may not even realize are there.

Satan stops us

Satan is so devious. There may not be any hindrance in your life. There can be any number of reasons why the answer does not come according to our own time table. Remember Peter's words, "But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day" (2 Pet. 3:8). Do not let up. Do not give up. Do not shut up. "Keep on asking" day by day, week by week, month by month, year by year. We have instant coffee, instant rice, instant potatoes and unfortunately we want instant answers to our prayers when God says, "Wait on the Lord." The lesson is to keep on asking.

"Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1) was the request of the disciples. "I will be glad to" must have been the response of the Savior and teach them He did. Did they ever learn. We all aim to pray more and more effectively but too many are like someone said, "Many people have aims in life but they never pull the trigger." May these lessons help us all to pull the trigger so we pray more and more effectively.

Principle Number Two: God is so Good

This may be the most important paragraph in this series. The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples why pray, then what to pray for and finally how to pray. Statistics state the average Christian spends only two minutes a day in prayer. We need to pray. Why pray? Why, to get your needs and your desires. "Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (Jn 16:24). WOW, you can have your life filled with joy through the joy of prayer. What to pray for? Too often, it seems, we have been ignorant of or ignored to pray for what He told us. Oh my, I must confess I did for years. When you catch this your prayer life will reach the ultimate height and you will be astonished at the answers to your prayers. How to pray? Finally learn how to pray so your prayers are not hindered but heard and heeded by God.

Wait till you discover God's "prayer list"! Then learn the list of things He told us to pray for and begin to use it. "To have an effective prayer life you must have a prayer list." It will rejuvenate your prayer life. You will pray must longer and stronger. Instead of being forced to pray, your life will be filled with prayer. Learn your lesson in the school of prayer, and graduate to a level where you will begin to realize absolutely amazing answers to your prayers. If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.

There is another peerless principle on prayer in Matthew 7:9-11 "Or what man is there among you, who if his son asks bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" God is so good!

Heavens above, how logical and how reasonable this principle is. Surely everyone can identify with this logic. If you love your children, you want them to be happy, you want to give them good things, you want to meet their needs, and you give beyond their needs. You and I are evil, very evil, compared to God. You wouldn't give a snake when your child asked for food.

If we know how to give good things to our children (now get this) "how much more" will your Father in heaven give good things to them that keep on asking Him? Does that make sense to you? Does that encourage you to pray? Does that increase your faith? Does that make prayer powerful? Does that make prayer exciting? Doesn't that give you goose bumps just to think about it? These are some of the most vivid verses in the Bible on prayer.

All the years of my youth my parents were not Christians and they were very poor. They worked hard and sacrificed. They had practically nothing throughout the Depression, yet they met my needs. They remembered my birthdays with gifts, and we always had a happy Christmas. I always received far more than I deserved. Is God any less kind or generous? Certainly not. Oh, what motivation these verses are to pray. "How much more" will your Heavenly Father give good things to them that "keep on asking" Him. That is the secret: "keep on asking".

Suppose you said to your son, "Would you please cut the grass? You forgot it this week." Alas, he answers, "Sure, Dad," and away he went, without one bit of hesitation. Then, with a sigh of relief, you could hear him cranking up the mower. Would that ever please you! And suppose you asked your daughter, "Honey, would you please go wash the dishes?" She too responded, "Sure, Mom," and like a flash she washed them with no hassle. What a delight that would be. God must be pleased when He sees that same rapid respectful response from His children.

God has proved His love by sending His own Son to die for our sins. God is so good. How good? "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32). Phenomenal, but that is a promise that ought to be a catalyst to cause you to pray more than ever. YOU have caught it, now run with it. Get on the band wagon. Go for it. "Keep on asking" and keep on seeing "great and mighty things" that you never knew before! (Jer. 33:3)
 

What's Can We Do About This World?

Why is the whole world so full of war, hate, violence, terror, and strife? It is so simple. It is the Christian's fault, our fault! "Come on sumner, you have got to be kidding" some will say. Read on and see.

First of all...

"I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, prayers, be made for ..." 1 Timothy 2:1. When the disciples said, "Teach us to pray" Luke 11:1, the Lord Jesus gave them a daily prayer list. He said, pray, "Give us this day our daily needs" Matt. 6:7. It is obvious we are to ask for our daily needs, every day. God gave the manna to Israel one day at a time. They had to go get it one day at a time. This is the key to financial freedom. Pray what he said! "Give me this day my daily needs." I pray that EVERY day and have done so for 35 years. You obey God and do it and see your financial needs turned around as never before. Here is another, daily, prayer list. He said pray, FIRST OF ALL. This is vital and the key. I plead with you to think seriously about this. Do you, does your pastor, your church, anyone that you know, pray for these things "first of all?"

Pray for kings...

"First of all pray for KINGS," that is your ruler and mine. Pray what? The context tells us, "Who would have all men to be saved?" vs. 4. Pray that they might be saved. Will they be saved if I do? That doesn't matter, I am to obey God whether I see any results or not. Doesn't that make sense? You want your children obey you, no matter what. Do you remember me telling about the missionary who led the King to Christ? All who have been obeying God and praying for all kings had a part in Mike winning that King to Christ. WOW. Then in the daily prayer list Jesus said pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" Luke 11:2. That seems so simple and easy to do. There are no wars or hated in heaven.
What pray for kings?
In order "that we might live a quiet and peaceable life" vs. 2. Are you, are we living a quiet and peaceable life? Heavens no. Why aren't we? Because we are not praying what God said to pray "first of all." Now doesn't that make sense?

I am sure...

If every child of God, and that is millions in the world, prayed "first of all" for their King, their ruler, I believe we would begin to live a "quiet and peaceable life." Now, doesn't that make a lot of sense? God tells us, If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven" Matt. 18:19. Do you believe God? Then, call someone you know who also believes God and you two agree to pray for "Kings and all who are in authority" that they might be saved and that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Please, you know this is not my little thing. I did not make this up. God, who hears and answers prayer, commanded us to pray this. Let's do it, shall we? Copy this and email it to all on your mail list. We can make a difference in this old world.

"Depend on the LORD and His strength; always go to Him for help." I Chronicles 16:11
 

The Five Fingers of Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
 

I am constantly being asked about my prayer list. It is vital to an effect prayer life. It transformed mine. Use it, add to it, and stand by to be amazed at what God does. I told in a recent email about praying for Kings and the story of the missionary who led three Kings to Christ. I had a part in their salvation through prayer. That makes prayer worth it all.

One prayer request in particular, Nos. 11 and 13. God said, "FIRST OF ALL, pray for KINGS ... that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life." Now you tell me, is the world living a peaceable life? Most assuredly NOT. Why aren't we? "because we ask not." Doesn't that make sense? Next month I am going to take these one by one and hope it motivates each of us to pray for these things and not just Joe's toe, Jack's back and Jane's pains.

Print this out or copy it for your own use. I pray this list every day.

My Personal Prayer List-Ps 100:4

(Please read all verses at least once)
Think what you are praying, visualize!

1. Thankful - Saved , De 16:3 - Blessings Lk 17:17

2. Praise - His attributes, character - Ps 50:23

3. Laver-judge self-confess sin 1 Jn 1:9, Ps 51

4. Lovest thou Me? Jn 21:15 Say: I love You Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit

5. Ask for Holy Spirit to fill and control you, 1 Jn 5:14f

6. Wisdom 1 Ki 3:7-9 Jas 1:5 Prov 3:13ff

7. What do You want me to do? Acts 9:6

8. Ask for lost souls - Jas 4:2; Acts 16:14

9. Give me boldness - Acts 4:29-31; 2 Tim 1:7

10. Heal me - Asa sought not God 2 Ch 16:1
    
    Biblical Prayer List 1 Tim 2:1-4

11. Pray - "first of all": vs 1; Lk 5:5 say, "I will"

12. All men - 6 billion to be saved - v4 "Thy will "

13. All kings - to be saved - v4 "Thy will done"

14. All in authority - Gov. etc-saved-Thy will

15. Send forth laborers, Mt 9:37; Acts13:2f

16. Peace Jer-Ps 122, Is-saved, Ro 10:1

17. Enemies - God bless - do good Mt 5:44,
    
    What to pray for people - Col 1:9-11

18. Put a hunger within them Ps 42:1, 2

19. Put a hedge around them Job 1:10

20. Put Your hand upon them Ezra 7 & 8,
    
    The Lord's Prayer List Lk.11; Mat. 6:9-15

21. "Say": Hallowed be Thy name Ex 20:7

22. Thy kingdom come-

23. Thy will be done on earth, as in heaven

24. Give us this day our daily bread/needs 6:11

25. Forgive us our sins as we forgive 11:4

26. Lead us not into temptation 11:4

27. Deliver us from evil (the evil one) 11:4

28. Thine is the kingdom - Mt 16:15 Lk 6:46

29. Thine is the power - not mine Zech 4:6

30. Thine is the glory - not mine Isa 42:8

31. List family, children, loved ones, friends

32. Pastor, church, ministries, missionaries

33. Special requests: Matt 6:10,Eph.6:18
    
    Jabez' prayer list 1 Chron 4:10:

34. Bless me indeed cf Jacob Gen 32:26

35. Enlarge my borders, ministry, impact

36. Let Your hand be upon me Ezra 7 & 8,
    7:6 "requests" 7:9 Came to Jerusalem
    7:28 ...strengthened 8:18 Brought help
    8:31 Delivered "by the hand of God"

37. Keep me from evil-the evil one Lk 11:4
    Jabez was a nobody and
    God granted him his requests!
    Ask, He is still doing it today! Ja 4:2