Sanctified By Means of Prayer
April 22, 2001
Dear Friends,
There are few things more heartwarming than the thought of a family getting together to pray and thank God for the blessings of life. We can get the mental image of the parents and children with bowed heads thanking God for their health, home, food and clothing.
The Bible speaks of such prayers when it says "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer."
The idea here presented is that prayer can be a guide to conscience. If we can go to God in prayer and sincerely thank him for what it is we are about to do or receive, we have assurance that God looks on our activity with favor. If we feel strange or even embarrassed going to God in prayer and giving thanks for it, we should reconsider the action.
As an example, we might feel very comfortable sitting down with our family and thanking God for allowing us the opportunity to go on a family picnic. We thank him for the food, the time with our loved ones, the beautiful weather, etc.. This willingness to approach God and give thanks indicates on some level that you feel this is a wholesome, Godly activity. On the other hand, we might feel strange or embarrassed to go to God in prayer and thank him for giving you the time to watch an hour of the latest reality show – Temptation Island. This simple gauge of faith should aid in redirecting activities away from those things which cater to the flesh to those things which are in keeping with the Spirit.
For those matters which really are not moral issues, but one of conscience, prayer acts as a spiritual litmus test so to speak. In Romans 14, where Paul speaks of things concerning conscience, he tells us "He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks." In other words, whatever stance is taken on the particular matter of eating meat sacrificed to idols, as long as it is done in faith, is acceptable to God. This is true for many matters of walk where the word of God gives us no direct command. If you can thank God for it, it indicates that you have the faith to do it. If you cannot thank God for it, it is sinful to proceed for the Bible teaches "those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin." (Rom.14:23)
The Bible speaks about the importance of continuous prayer. "Pray without ceasing" we are told. If we follow this instruction from God's word, it will bring prayer to its proper place of a way of life rather than a activity reserved for the "big things" in life. When so used, prayer becomes the powerful tool that it is to help us change our lives for the better in God's service.
Have a great week!
Comments»
No comments yet.