Prayer For Close Relationship In The Church

The Missing Relationship in the Church

What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

While most Christian leaders agree that we must revive the practice of discipling (personally helping Christians grow), few seem to be doing it. Numerous cultural factors today make it countercultural for leaders to disciple others in the way we see Jesus and Paul doing in the New Testament (Matthew 4:19; 28:19; 2 Timothy 2:2).

Efficiency and productivity are key values today. People are told that they must push for measurable results, and usually those results are quantified in terms of numbers. In a Christian setting, such an emphasis could result in concentrating on increasing attendance, events, programs, and buildings.

These visible goals can take so much time that there is no time left to give concentrated attention to personal discipling. Granted, the fruit of person-to-person discipleship is not immediately visible.

Now a biblical leader should be concerned with numbers, in some sense, because the numbers represent people who have come within the sound of the gospel, and our programs and structures are helpful in maturing new and old Christians.

But the focus on numerical growth must not be at the cost of nurturing saints.

The Cost of Other Opportunities

As we grow in leadership, we often need to pass up what looks wonderful opportunities to serve so that we can have enough time for personal ministry.

These days I meet many young pastors and Christian workers for mentoring or counseling.

I have been surprised (and saddened) to hear that many of them have never had an unhurried conversation about their personal lives with their leaders in ministry. Most of these pastors serve in churches that are growing numerically.

When I was leader of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka, I always tried to disciple a few young staff. This gave rise to an awkward situation, as some people felt I was giving preferential treatment to them.

But I felt that this problem was worthwhile because of the high place personal work deserves in the culture of our movement.

If the leader finds time to disciple, others also are encouraged to give time for it, despite all the other things calling for their attention.

As the possibility of an imbalance in our priorities is very real, we need to keep revising our list of priorities constantly while growing in leadership. Unhealthy baggage can accumulate in our lives without our realizing it.

I need to be careful about accepting too many speaking engagements and serving on too many committees.

As leaders grow, they should constantly divest themselves of some responsibilities so that they can concentrate on the most important ones.

The Cost of ‘Wasting Time’

People are very busy today. Besides physical work, they are often “busy” in the cyber world with social media or are watching television.

In this environment, people find it a strain to interrupt their activities for long one-on-one conversations, which are an important part of discipling relationships. Such rootless busyness has produced an insecure generation.

They are missing the completion and security that come from committed relationships with trusted friends and relatives.

Once trust is won and the environment created through long conversations, people have the freedom to talk about the deep secrets of their lives. A side benefit of this is that it dispels damaging insecurities of constantly being rushed. Discipling appointments slow us down.

The Cost of Safe Superficiality

People today have hundreds, perhaps thousands, of friends on (and other platforms) to whom they openly share about themselves.

But often these relationships are with people unwilling to pay the price of costly commitment to them. They don’t need to be honest; they can even tell lies about themselves.

And if the friendship gets inconvenient, you can simply “unfriend” another person. How sad that “unfriend” has become a popular word today.

When you get used to multiple superficial relationships, you may find it difficult to nurture deeper bonds. You may not make time for such relationships and may find it awkward to share deeply with others. But how important it is for us to nurture deeper friendships. Proverbs has sage advice to our generation with its addiction to social media:

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

In an environment that is unfriendly to such close ties, the discipler has the challenge of winning the trust of the disciple to create these bonds.

Some such relationships in my own life have produced some of the most joyful I have had.

The Cost of Trusting Others

Today, with the prevalence of abuse of personal information, people are afraid to trust others with details about their lives. They are afraid of betrayal, so they don’t confide in people enough to entrust themselves to their care. Sometimes they may not personally the leader who has been assigned to disciple them.

Large congregations fall into a trap when everyone keeps a “safe distance” from others. It is all too easy to remain anonymous and be lost in the crowd. Some prefer this, as they move to larger churches after being hurt in smaller, more personal ones. This problem must be confronted with the persevering commitment of personal discipleship.

I am convinced that everyone needs the kind of accountability, comfort, and trust that a discipling relationship affords. It may be strange culturally and practically inconvenient to many today. But it can be done, and there is an urgent need for all Christian leaders to commit themselves to it.

Источник: //www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-missing-relationship-in-the-church

Powerful Prayers for Marriage and Restoration [Quotes + Verses]

Do you feel your relationship is in trouble? Perhaps your better half has left, your marriage is on the rocks, or you simply feel place with the person you are with. You value the relationship that you have with your husband or wife, and you honor and respect the vows that you took in front of God and witnesses.

Despite the best of intentions, there are times when even the most perfect relationship has problems and issues. It is common for a member of the relationship to run-away from those problems, or refuse to face them by trying to leave the relationship and the home you’ve made together.

Do not despair, there is hope, you just have to find faith and encouragement from our gracious Lord above.

Prayer can repair the most damaged marriage. The power of God can bring two people, who are intended to be together, back into a love filled marriage. Your union will know the love from the blessings of God if you keep your eyes on Him in all things. Through prayer, anything is possible.

God is all-powerful and all-knowing, He can mend any bridges that may have been burned by conflict, clear away any confusion, and give you the power to forgive when needed most. If your relationship is in need of a blessing and you have nowhere to turn, always consider the power of prayer.

God is always there to listen, and his followers on earth are always ready to assist in having your prayer requests heard.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Prayer for Restoring Marriage

Lord, I come before you today with a heavy heart; my marriage is in grave trouble, and I need Your help and closeness. Please make changes in my spouse's heart. Make us compatible again, and bring us closer together as we were before.

Fill us with Your love and give us the strength to love one another, care for one another, and fulfill your life long wishes for us. Show us the harm caused by careless, uncalled for words, and the pain caused by emotional distance. Heal the division between the two of us.

Make us one again. In Your precious name I pray, amen. 

Prayer for a Loving Soulmate

I seek a partner who enhances me by his/her very being.

who brings more love, joy, peace and prosperity to my life, Who I can love fully and who can fully receive my love, Who loves, honors and cherishes me completely, and always.

May my heart be open and my head be clear. May my life be ready to welcome True love. May I be embraced in a circle of your love An uplifted by your grace. And so it is.

Prayer for a Marriage In Need

My heart cries out to You, my Maker of Heaven and of Earth! Please bring healing to our broken hearts, bring restoration to our relationship, ignite lost passion, and inspire forgotten intimacy. Please transform the two of us from the inside out, and lead us in Your way. We trust in you, Precious Jesus. Always. Amen.

Prayer for a Lost Love/Partner

Precious Savior, please pray that my heart's desire be granted, and the return of the love of my life would come to fruition.

I pray that my spouse/partner may have healed his/her wounds from the past, and forgiven all that has gone wrong between the two of us.

Lord, help my lost love be able to follow his/her heart to their desire and love me for me. I ask that we be forever reconciled as one, from this day forward.

Prayer for a Friends’ Troubled Marriage/Relationship

Heavenly Father, I come before you and lay this troubled marriage/relationship in your hands. I ask that you would revive this couple, and draw them toward happiness shared together.

I ask that you would renew their love and passion for one another, and that you would untangle the conflicts and strife that has damaged and angered them towards one another. Please bring understanding and tenderness of heart to both of them.

May they both embrace the miracle that you desire to do for them, and within their spirits. Amen.

Prayer for Financial Peace In Marriage

I lift up my heart to You today, my precious Lord. Please help us to rely on You more in our marriage when it comes to our finances. We can be easily distracted by the amount of money in our bank account, or even by the jobs we currently have.

Help us not to trust in the matter of money itself, but more importantly, trust in Your economy and Your word. May Your Holy Spirit fill us with wisdom in how to manage our finances, give us generous hearts to give to those in need, and teach us to not worry about money so much.

We pray there would be peace in our marriage, especially over finances, at all times, and in all ways. May Your presence keep us grounded, keep us calm, and keep us in Your will always.

Prayer for Clear Communication in Relationships

Lord, I feel my partner and I have had a difficult time clearly communicating with one another lately. We are both lacking in our compassion and understanding towards each other.

I pray we would be better than this, and that You will open our hearts to You. Holy Spirit, please help us be better communicators with each other.

I pray that we would live with understanding for what the other person is going through, and that we are thoughtful in our words and actions. Amen.

Bible Verses about Marriage:

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1Peter 4:8

“Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:9

Источник: //www.holylandprayer.com/prayer_for/prayers-for-relationship-and-marriage/

Relationship With God

Have you ever wondered why congregations say, “Amen” after prayers? Many people have said “amen” hundreds or thousands of times to opening and closing prayers at church services or after the blessing on a meal. What does this word mean, and why do we say it?

In the church, when a prayer at services closes with the word amen , the people who are listening often repeat it: “Amen.

” This also happens when someone asks a blessing, or after a wedding ceremony or when someone is being anointed by a minister and prayed for when he or she is sick.

Yet people sometimes don’t know whether or not to say amen—and some who do don’t know why they’re saying it. How do we know whether we should say amen—and what are we saying if we do?

Saying amen is more than just a custom; there are important reasons for this tradition. There is deep significance to this little word.

Meaning and Origin of the Word

The word amen has several meanings in English. Webster’s Dictionary, Strong’s Concordance and the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary (j) all agree that amen means: “true, faithful, and so be it.” j says that it is a word used to affirm and confirm a statement.

Amen is actually a Hebrew word that is commonly defined as “so be it.” The Hebrews used it to express assent and agreement. The word is derived from a root that signifies “truth.

” Therefore, anyone saying amen confirms that what has just been said before in speech or in song is “true, trustworthy and reliable.

” When you say amen, you are agreeing with what someone just said, and making it as if you said those words yourself.

So this little word certainly has outsized significance.

If you listen to a prayer and agree that what has been said is true, trustworthy and reliable, that’s the reason why you should say amen and make the prayer even more effective and powerful in God’s eyes.

If you aren’t paying attention to what has been said and simply repeat amen because everyone else has, then your affirmation isn’t sincere, and it may make the prayer less effective to God (1 Corinthians 14:16).

The word amen is the most frequently used religious word. Not only is it used by Christians, but it is also used by Jews and by Muslims, who conclude hymns, prayers and recitals of the Koran, with it (How Did It Begin?).

This word is used 13 times in the Old Testament and 119 times in the New Testament. The first time it is used is in Numbers 5, concerning the trial of jealousy. If a man suspected his wife of adultery, he took her to the priest to prove or disprove her innocence.

The priest had her drink of the bitter water, and if she was innocent, nothing happened; but if she was guilty, her belly would swell and her body would rot.

She was informed of this before she drank of the bitter water, and to prove she knew the consequences, we read in Numbers 5:22 that she said, “Amen, amen.”

Amen does mean, “so be it,” yet that isn’t all it means as some seem to think. Sometimes it does mean “so be it,” but at other times “so be it” would not be appropriate.

The example, in Numbers 5, would be correctly translated “so be it,” but in the book of John the word amen appears 25 times, and usually at the beginning of the sentence. When used at the beginning of a sentence, it emphasizes what is to be said. Jesus Christ used it frequently this way.

It is translated in the King James version (kjv) as “verily.” When used at the beginning of a sentence it should be rendered “truly.” For example, in John 3:3 Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God ….

” This word “verily,” is the same word rendered amen in other places. So in this case the word would be rendered, “truly, truly,” or “it is true, except a man be born again ….”

Unger’s Bible Dictionary says, “It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues, into the Christian assemblies …. When he had offered up a solemn prayer to God, and others in attendance responded amen , and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own ….”

Here again we can see the importance of not taking this tradition lightly. Unger’s says, “Several of the church fathers refer to this custom, and Jerome says that at the conclusion of public prayer the united voice of the people sounded the fall of water or the noise of thunder.”

Bible Examples

Every book in the New Testament, with the exception of Acts and 3 John, closes with the word amen. Probably any of the definitions we’ve discussed would be appropriate at the end of these books, whether it be “so be it,” or “everything that has gone before is true, trustworthy and reliable.”

Christ used this word many times. Christ gave us an outline for prayer in Matthew 6:7-13, in which He concluded with the word amen. Here we are given direct authority to use amen at the end of our prayers. According to Thayer’s Lexicon the word amen here means, “So it is, and may it be fulfilled.”

The reason we say amen in God’s Church after a prayer is because the example comes from the Bible. When God had Moses tell the people to obey His laws, Moses went over each one so that they all understood what was expected.

Then, after each law was given, the people were to say amen (Deuteronomy 27). This was not a church service but a special assembly where they were told about the blessings and curses that would come as a result of certain conduct.

Then they had to say amen after this was pronounced.

A Form of Praise

Praising God and saying amen is not new. God shows us by His Word that saying amen is proper. In Nehemiah 5:13, we read that all the congregation said amen and praised the Lord. The Scriptures show that when the people said amen they were praising God.

After David had brought the ark to Jerusalem, the choir came out and sang David’s song of thanksgiving. It was a joyous occasion. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said amen and praised the Lord” (1 Chronicles 16:36).

Saying amen is a type of praising God. Notice: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 106:48).

It is biblical, and we follow Christ’s and the apostles’ example when we do this.

Answers to Some Often-Asked Questions

Should we say amen after a prayer? Yes! We have seen that this is scriptural; and if you agree with what has been said, then you are willing to make the words spoken in the prayer your words, saying, “so be it,” and mean it and that everything that was said was true, trustworthy and reliable.

Should we say amen if we did not clearly hear or understand what was said? No! How can you make the words that were said yours if you don’t know what was said? “[H]ow shall he … say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?” (1 Corinthians 14:16). It is speaking here of someone speaking in another language, but the same principle applies.

This puts a lot of responsibility on those who have the opening and closing prayers. These men should speak slowly and clearly, so that everyone can hear what is being said. You need to understand what was said before you say amen, or you may be saying amen to something to which you do not agree.

Should you say it at a wedding or a funeral when one of God’s ministers is officiating, and maybe not all are believers? Yes, here again, if you agree with the prayer. But if you would be embarrassed, you could even say amen silently.

Since we have seen that it is scriptural to say “amen,” then we need to say it after the prayer of anointing. You need not feel ashamed or embarrassed to say amen in the presence of the minister, after all he is praying for you.

Should we say amen with the long sound of the vowel A or “ah-men,” with the short sound? The dictionary says either way is acceptable. I myself prefer Amen (long vowel), when speaking, and ah-men (short vowel), when singing. The sound is not nearly as important as the reason why we do it.

Saying amen should be meaningful to you. You should not say it just because everyone around you does. We all need to listen very intently to the prayer, and be certain that you can agree with what is being said. Then, by saying amen, you can make “the substance of what is uttered, your own.” Then God can hear the united voice of His people coming up to His very throne.

I hope that the next time you say amen, it will have a much better and clearer meaning to you.

From the Archives: Philadelphia News, May-June 2001

Источник: //pcg.church/articles/238/amen

Six Reasons the Church Needs Corporate Prayer

We read in Acts 2 that Peter preached to crowds and “they were cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37).

Scriptures tells us that 3,000 were added to the church that day when Peter proclaimed, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Thousands were compelled by the working of the Spirit through Peter’s words to understand and believe that Jesus, whom they crucified, was indeed both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).

Immediately after they believed, we read that the new believers “devoted themselves” to the teaching of the Apostles, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. We see signs and wonders, belief, and generosity. We see worship, hospitality, praise, unity, and evangelistic growth (Acts 2:42-47).

Who doesn’t want their church to look the body of Christians we see in Acts 2?

But the excitement of signs and wonders and favor and awe and new believers may cause us to race right past the first church’s commitment to prayer—their commitment to root their ministry in dependance on the Lord.

In this age when activity and productivity are equated with spiritual fruit, the quiet act of prayer is easily forsaken. But here are six reasons the Church needs corporate prayer.

1. Corporate prayer encourages.

Life is hard. On this side of heaven we face sickness, sin, death, and brokenness. As followers of Christ we can find ourselves at a loss for words—even at a loss for how to understand a calamity in light of God’s goodness and sovereignty. When we gather with other believers to pray we can “encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  

In corporate prayer we can remind our brothers and sisters that God will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:39), and that we have a Savior who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15).

2. Corporate prayer disciples.

When believers of varying ages and stages gather together to pray, we learn from one another. I remember well being taught by example to pray for God’s glory and for his will to be done; and that this sort of prayer takes a biblical priority above that of praying for my own safety.

Just as Jesus taught the disciples to pray (Matthew 6:10), when young believers listen to the prayers of the mature and faithful, their faith grows. Corporate prayer moves us beyond simplistic requests for ease or health or blessing (though those are worthy requests too) and teaches us to ask instead that we might be conformed to the ness of Jesus (Romans 8:29).

3. Corporate prayer forms in us the habit of prayer.

Scheduling times to pray with others makes us more consistent in acknowledging that we are weak and God is strong.

When I dedicate specific days and times to pray with others—prayer partners, elders’ wives, ministry leaders, women’s Bible study attendees, my friends and neighbors—I simply pray more. any discipline, doing it with others motivates and grows me.

Setting aside time to pray together spurs us on in ways we wouldn’t be if we chose to only pray alone (Hebrews 10:24-25). Corporate prayer teaches us that, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

4. Corporate prayer is needed for confession.

When we pray with others and confess our sin, we expose it to the light and Christ shines on us (Ephesians 5:11-14, 1 John 1:7-9). James exhorts us to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Individual prayer only makes use of part of our weapon of prayer to battle sin. There is strength in gathering with others. If we are serious about battling sin, we must put corporate prayer in our arsenal.

5. Corporate prayer builds unity.

It is nearly impossible to hold a grudge against someone when you join him or her in prayer. Jesus instructs us, in fact, that we cannot offer him a gift if we have something against our brother (Matthew 5:23-24). He says we must first go and be reconciled.

Indeed, Peter reminds us that the Lord’s ears are only open to the prayers of the righteous, and not those who are walking in unrepentant sin (1 Peter 3:12).

As we regularly come together, we’re reminded to “maintain the the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).

6. Corporate prayer invests in evangelism

Lastly, but not exhaustively, praying with others invests in God’s work to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. We see in Acts that “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). As we pray, the Lord works to draw others to himself.

John says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14).

And Peter tells us, that the Lord does not wish “that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

We know that when we pray for the salvation of others, it is the Lord’s desire that all would repent, and his will that some should be saved. We can join him in his work of redemption as we pray for those who are lost.

May it not be said of the church today that, “You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:2).

An Example to Follow

God graciously gave us the example of the early church, as seen in Acts 2, to spur us on 2,000 years later. May we not forget the power and priority of corporate prayer. May our small groups, Bible studies, churches, communities, and friends be known for prioritizing prayer together.

[Photo Credit: Lightstock]

Источник: //unlockingthebible.org/2018/05/six-reasons-the-church-needs-corporate-prayer/

Prayer for Relationships

The issue of relationships is something that’s constantly talked about among both men and women. Husbands, wives, kids, bosses, neighbors… relationships can be rewarding and fulfilling, but they can also be testy and challenging. When your heart is involved, your deepest needs tend to come to the surface.

So how can you pray for your relationships? Here are a few sample prayers for when you’re at a loss for words.

1. Prayer in the midst of conflict

Father in Heaven, I know I add fuel to the fire in my relationships because I am needy myself. I don’t to admit it, but I know it’s true. Thank You that You see me as I truly am and that You still love me.

Please help me to see myself honestly, and to own my own part in this conflict before I point my finger. Please give me insight into my own needs and give me patience as I encounter needs in the ones I love. I need Your help, Lord. Please guide me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Conflict very often reflects unmet needs. Sometimes there’s an easy solution, such as the need for sleep. But frequently, the need is much deeper:

• To feel valued and heard.
  This often stems from insecurity or past hurts, and may show up as overly defensive with gloves on, ready to fight.
• To forgive others or one’s self.
  The need to control can stem from an angry heart, and can show up as manipulation.

If your unmet needs are showing up in your relationships, talk to a mentor, friend, or a counselor to work through some of these issues. Pray for patience as you encounter the unmet needs in others, and regularly ask God for His help.

2. Prayer for help when I feel “less than”

Lord God, I so often feel inadequate without even realizing it. The disapproval I pour out on others often stems from my own insecurity. I don’t intend to fight. God, I need Your help. Please remind me to address my issues.

Help me to see myself differently and to allow You to love me and to change me. Help me to find my confidence in Your strength and in Your forgiveness. I invite You into my life today. I need You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Be the beginning of change in your relationships. Find ways to give approval more often to those around you. When things need addressing don’t show your disapproval, but choose a calm time to talk. Ask for prayer. Relationships that are worth keeping are worth the effort.

3. Prayer for the words to say in a challenging relationship

Dear Father in Heaven, it is not possible for me to keep my mouth from speaking things it should not. I need Your power to guard my tongue. Help me to think before I speak. Help me to feel that nudge of Your Holy Spirit before words rush my mouth.

Father, I need You to help me to know what to say that will build __________ up rather than tear down or hurt. Please make me aware, by Your divine power, of __________’s needs so I can respond in a way that benefits him/her.

Help me to run to You when frustrations and anger bubble up, and may You ease my emotions and send me back with grace on my lips. Help me to be bold when issues need addressing, but gentle and loving in the way I address them.

Father, You are the only one who can perform this miracle in my life. I look to You today to set a guard on my heart and my mouth, as I don’t want to grieve You. And please forgive me for the times when I have grieved You! Walk with me closely today, because I need the help of Your Holy Spirit in dealing with __________. Thank You. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, amen.

God gives sound counsel in His word about how to deal with relationships. It all begins with what comes your mouth.

Listen to His words of wisdom:

“The tongue holds the power of life and death.” Proverbs 18:21

The power of our words is a tremendous force. It has been said that people will seldom remember the words you spoke, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

It’s true, isn’t it? It’s easy to remember those who have made you feel inspired and empowered. But it’s also easy to recall those who made you feel down and useless… just by their words.

You can begin the change today. And the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone! Jesus wants to transform and restore your challenging relationships, starting today. I encourage you to use the form below (in the “Connect” tab) to connect with a mentor for prayer. You can also leave a prayer request in the “Discuss” section and we'll pray for you there.

Connect with a mentor now!

Источник: //thelife.com/prayer-for-relationships