the.<3.of.worship

Tuesday, July 8, 2008,8:03 PM
Prayer chain #3

Hi guys here's the 3rd prayer chain. got 2 so far.

1) Forgiveness

Colossians 3:12-13
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive

Matthew 5:12-13
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your borther has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your borther, and then come and offer your gift

Matthew 18:21-35
-this is the parable of the unforgiving servant. however i was rather drawn to one part(Jesus' commentary about the parable.)-
'..... and i his anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart

when God is angry, we don't wanna be the one at fault. definitely not. somewhere in the old testament(Kings i think), God was angry at either Israel or Jerusalem(well, who else) and there was an account of 2 women going to the king because they agreed to EAT their sons (prehistoric Clara[pronounced 'claire-RER] Woon!) and one of them managed to hide her son from the other. just imagine. if God is mad at you, you might end up as dinner!
but seriously, when God is angry, we definitely do not want to be on the receiving end. and here, in His own words, he gets mad when we do not forgive!
Have any of you struggled with unforgiveness before? I did, and i'm afraid i still will. It's quite strange, the way I hold on to grudges, like they are some kind of unholy source of strength. Somewhere inside me, some part felt good to hate someone. it felt natural. it felt right.

It has to be crucified.
That part is the flesh. it's like a really evil and not cute at all Wile E. Coyote. it just can't die. not yet anyway.
But that doesn't mean I don't try. what it means is that I get help. I hold the nail, and Jesus swings the hammer.

Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

if you are OK with it, confess( if any) unforgiveness within yourself to your buddy. You do not have to give exact details, if you do not feel comfortable with it. but really do try to confess.

2) praying more
I think God wants us to pray more.
I remember hearing the words 'we're sorry we have not prayed enough' at a prayer meeting. and it was true. I was filled with guilt. But what makes it really sad is that i have not done much about it. So here i am, passing my guilt on to you. just kidding. but there are always things that we could, and perhaps SHOULD be praying for

the lost:Keeping the gospel among us is selfish. whatever level we may know them at, whether they are nice chaps or not, Christ died for them as well. that should be a good enough reason for us to pray for them

Leaders: i really think there's a passage in the bible that tells us to pray for our leaders. and we should.

Maybe you guys might be like me, and always worry whether there are any original and new prayer pointers to come up with. but i don't think God looks for innovation and creativity. I believe He looks for faithfulness.
so bore your prayer buddy to tears! all in good conscience, knowing that God looks right at our hearts. yes i know it's cliche. but at least i'm proving my point(about faithfulness)

see you!
Chao Yuan

>>and i live just for you my lord.

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