Sunday 22 February 2015

'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 2)

Hello All,
The part of the poem that we will be emphasising on today is highlighted in blue. The black colour text in the poem is a recap of what we have already done last week.
Let us now continue with the second episode of this poem…

'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 2)
By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (February 12, 2015)
When was the last time you knelt down humbly to pray?
Was it this morning, yesterday or last Sunday?
Was it last week, last month or a few years ago?
Or only when you are face to face with a foe?

Prayer is not as complicated as it seems
It is sharing with God our feelings, needs and dreams
It is responding to our Lord with thanksgiving
As we look forward to the coming of the King

The Lord Jesus Himself showed us how we should pray
The Lord’s Prayer guides us when we don’t know what to say
It reminds us of our dependence on Jesus
To love, strengthen, encourage and provide for us

The Lord’s Prayer begins with, 'Our Father in heaven’
Which helps us to address the God of creation
As, 'our Father', who is sovereign and yet loving
To those He has called, 'Children of the King of kings’

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:
[8] Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
[9] Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
(Matthew 6:8-9 ESV)
·         Are you able to relate to God as your Heavenly Father?
·         Or do you feel like He is just a distant Being who does not play a significant role in your life?
·         Many do not realise how wonderful it is to have a Heavenly Father who is not only sovereign and in control of all things but is loving and cares deeply about us, His beloved children.
·         If we truly trust that we have a loving and sovereign Heavenly Father, why are we still so worried about the things of life?

·         Are there struggles in your life which you can be committing to your loving and sovereign Heavenly Father? 

Sunday 15 February 2015

'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 1)

Hello All,
Many find prayer a burdensome task on a Christian’s to do list.

Some will just tell themselves, ‘Let us just get it over and done with. I will just say the right words to God and it will be fine.’

There are others who only turn to God in prayer when they are drowning in the sea of adversity.

But many do not realise that prayer is a great privilege for Christians to have conversations with their loving Heavenly Father; to unburden the anxieties of their heart and find joy in thanksgiving to the Giver of all things.

In the gospel of Luke 11:1-13, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, ‘Lord, teach us how to pray.’

The Lord’s Prayer can also be found in Matthew 6:9-13 which will be the Bible passage that this poem series, entitled, ‘Teach Us How to Pray’, will be based on.


'Teach Us How to Pray' (Episode 1)
By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (February 12, 2015)
When was the last time you knelt down humbly to pray?
Was it this morning, yesterday or last Sunday?
Was it last week, last month or a few years ago?
Or only when you are face to face with a foe?

Prayer is not as complicated as it seems
It is sharing with God our feelings, needs and dreams
It is responding to our Lord with thanksgiving
As we look forward to the coming of the King

The Lord Jesus Himself showed us how we should pray
The Lord’s Prayer guides us when we don’t know what to say
It reminds us of our dependence on Jesus
To love, strengthen, encourage and provide for us

TO BE CONTINUED...

Points for Reflection:
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
(Colossians 4:2 ESV)
·         When was the last time you prayed?
·         Do you find prayer a burdensome task? If so, then why?
·         What are the anxieties, disappointments and hope that you can be talking to God about?
·         Are there things in your life you can be thankful for? Have you said a prayer of thanks to God?

·         I pray with all my heart that you will find great joy in prayer.