Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is essential to the Christian experience. Although much can be found about prayer in the Bible there are three passages that help to put prayer into perspective for me:

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us... Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...

We can have confidence as we approach God in prayer. We can enter the very throne room of grace without fear or shame because of what Jesus has done. If you are like me with a sinful past and are still making mistakes, this is an important concept.

The second passage is the Lord's prayer itself. Luke 11:2 When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

I usually start my prayer sessions with the Lord's prayer since it is recommended by Jesus himself. It simply and eloquently covers all the bases . Then I move on to specific issues, which allows me to communicate in a personal, intimate relationship with God. I share all my hopes and dreams and cast all my cares upon him. I always ask for forgiveness and for God to change me for the better.

He has not let me down. I was a very vile person in my youth. I was addicted to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes, with filthy language, bad temper, and various other defects of character. Over the years ,God has changed me and taken me from victory to victory. His promises are sure and although I am not yet perfect, I am grateful I am not what I once was. Prayer has had everything to do with the changes wrought in me.

The third passage is Daniel 6:10 ...Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

This passage is a great example and reminder of the effectiveness of a consistent prayer life. While I am sure he had his weak moments, there is no mention of Daniel sinning. How unlike David, Samson, Moses and most other Bible characters who had noteworthy defects of character. Daniel stood firm in his relationship with God,even though he was in a heathen land and in a position of power and temptation. I sometimes pray dozens of times in the course of a day depending on my circumstances. However, I always try to consistently communicate with my maker three times a day like Daniel. In fact, I just don't feel right if I miss a session.

I am reminded of a Pastor who taught me before your feet even touch the ground, pray before getting out of bed . Wise advice! It starts you off on the right foot each day. Whatever trials await you, whether known or unknown, can be prepared for in advance. Power and help are available for all situations.

I am also reminded of a line in an old Country Gospel song Mountains of Gold (Dave Butler - Song 5) which says that money can't buy peace when you're sleeping and a conscience that's free . I know what can prayer.

The power of prayer gives me something for which the rich and powerful would trade kingdoms and fortunes. When I retire for the evening, I review the trials, the sins, the regrets, the worries of the day and lay them at the feet of God in prayer. Then I drift off to sleep with something beyond price, peace when I'm sleeping and a conscience that's free .

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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me
updated by @ken-rich: 05/30/17 07:44:07AM

The message is too good. Really we cannot describe the Power of Prayer in words.

I am also reminded of the song that say's. "Prayer is the key to Heaven but Faith unlock's the door.

I don't know that song Shirley. Do you know who does it what the title is?


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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me

Lyrics | Faith Unlocks The Door lyrics

Thanks for digging that up for us Carol. What a handy little widget too. I am going to see if I can figure out how to add that to the Poetry & Lyrics group.


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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me

Ken, I read your article on the power of prayer, its good to hear that you still have a strong personal relationship with the lord. I have been through most all of your sight and found it to be inspiring and up lifting. I have great respect for your interpretation of the scriptures. I now feel better about Christmas as long as I keep it as a Christian should. I now follow two commandments, love the Lord with all heart and soul and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. As you know, I was a seventh day Sabbath keeper as were you and followed the Old Testament dictates of clean and unclean foods. Clean and unclean foods were a burden to me as was keeping the Sabbath. I will never forget the strong stand and huge sacrifice that you made all those years ago when you became convicted that we were still under the letter of the law and you took your stand for the Sabbath. I have always marveled when thinking back to you then.My good friend and neighbor, here in Port Elgin is a hard core Jehovahs Witness and he is the only Christian that I know in town, Not that there isnt enough churches, I just havent gone out looking to member up with any congregation. Ive lived in Port Elgin for seven years and Mark, my Jehovahs Witness friend is bending over back words to get my wife and I to start attending their Kingdom hall regularly. We attended a couple of times and nether one of us got anything out of it. Still mark wants us to come more often, I would like to be involved with some bible believing spirit lead church that has a good Bible study group. Some pot luck dinners would be nice to.I guess I am going to have to start to go to a few church services and see if one of them feels right. Back to the topic at hand, I prayed that the Lord would lead me to some one that would invite me to a service but the only one so far is mark and there is just too much that I personally dont agree with.There door to door ministry for one and there complete avoidance of Christmas, Easter and birthdays. I cant imagine not buying my grand children a birthday or Christmas gift; I believe you said that it is only considered customary, not religious. I am comfortable with that. As for their door to door ministry, Well, I consider myself to be a student not a teacher. That in my opinion is a high calling and one must be well versed in his beliefs and convections. I cant think of one Christian denomination that I agree entirelyWith all their teachings and all of them have truth of some degree because they are Christians. I suppose then, it really doesnt matter as long as I enjoy the service and fellowship. So! Maybe Ill pick the one that is within walking distance to my home. Thank you for letting me speak my mind on this open Christian forum.May the Lord bless you and keep you my friend.

Hi Paul,Thanks for the kind words.Yes indeed, years ago I was certainly entangled in sin, then legalism, and now have been radically changed. God is awesome, and his promises never fail.I think you should seek a group for fellowship, but try to seek one that is Biblically based, centered on Christ, and steeped in grace. Not every "Christian" group, is necessarily a good place for fellowship, or learning. I think it's important to be discerning and choose wisely. Cults can be very seductive and dangerous.Be Blessed,Ken


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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me

We need so many of these teachings from you to us in LiberiaThanks so much and we are also interested in working with you and becoming an extension ministry in Liberia+231-880871978jeremiah_cgc@yahoo.combishop

I will write you. Of course all of our online resources (over 50,000 pages) are available to Ministries worldwide. There are also built in share tools on our content. Open up the Share link and you will find ways of sharing by imported e-mail lists, and all common social networking types. We are also interested in partnering with Ministries in any way that we can.

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Ken Rich
https://kenrich.me