Learn to Pray Effectively, No. 5

"To have an effect prayer life you must have a prayer list." The first thing on the list ought to be "Thanksgiving." God tells us, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving" (Ps 100:4). You remember when the Lord Jesus healed the 10 lepers and only one returned to give thanks and Jesus asked, "Where are the nine?" Jesus expects and wants thanksgiving. Don't take your blessings for granted. List things you are especially thankful for such as your salvation, your health, you job, daily blessings etc. 

Then he says to "enter into his courts with praise." Make a list of things to praise Him for such as His goodness, His faithfulness, His mercy, His love, His righteousness etc. Just "be still" and meditate and God will bring other things to give thanks and praise Him for. I have found starting my prayer time with these really gets my heart ready to pray. It also fills my heart with joy as I think of all these things about God. "To praise God for your blessing extends them, not praise Him ends them".

Make a list of categories of things to pray for and next week let's compare. "Prayer is profoundly simple and simply profound"

A comment from one of you, "Thank you for all the insights on prayer. I have started making my prayer list .Now I really see all the prayers he is answering for me." Isn't that a fantastic insight and blessing? Send me your comments! I love them and will use them as I can. You are such a joy. Love you, all because of Calvary, sumner