Prayer To Know Jesus Better

Prayers to the Infant Jesus

which he used during his visit at the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague on the 26th September 2009

O my Lord Jesus, we gaze on You as a child and believe that You are the Son of God, who became Man through the working of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Just as in Bethlehem, we too, adore You, with Mary, Joseph, the angels and the shepherds, and acknowledge You as our only Saviour.You became poor to enrich us with Your poverty. Grant that we may never forget the poor and all those who suffer.

Protect our families, bless all the children of the world and grant that the love You have brought us may always reign amongst us and lead us to a happier life.

Grant, O Jesus, that all may recognize the truth of Your birth, so that all may know that You have come to bring to the whole human family light, joy and peace.You are God, who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague

In nine days, we want to remember Jesus’ childhood and allow him to impact and change our lives. Ultimately, these are things that touch us. Jesus came into this world and became a child for every single one of us. He knows all of us by name. Every day, the Novena offers us a childhood characteristic, which at first glance might look a limitation, but which may be just the opposite…

day 1 – Smallness

Jesus, you became a child; you became little even though you are the infinitely great God. By doing this you showed us where true greatness lies.

You teach us that we do not need to behave in a superior way for you to notice us and be interested in us. We want to accept our limitations and draw on our gifts.

Let us appreciate the little things that create our life and recognise our infinite value.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

You reach down to us to raise us up and to make us strong and brave. Please, heal our hearts and fill our life with peace, happiness and hope.

For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

day 2 – Frailty

Jesus, you took on the frailty of a child. We have all experienced the fact that our life is very fragile. Even a tiny thing can destroy our relationships, our health, our dreams, or our self-esteem.

You know our fragility, you take it into account and yet and do not cease to hold us dear. Teach us to live with the awareness of our own fragility and not to forget the dignity that we have in your eyes.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

day 3 – Poverty

Jesus, you came to this world as a poor child. You did not even have a roof over your head. You, to whom the whole universe belongs. Your awareness of being the beloved Son of God was your wealth. We also experience poverty, material or spiritual – helplessness, loneliness, and hopelessness. Let this always be an opportunity to discover our true wealth: our awareness of having you.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

day 4 – Vulnerability

Jesus, you were not afraid to become a vulnerable child. We were also harmed in different ways – by clumsiness, misunderstanding, indifference, or even deliberately. We carry many of our injuries through our life. We do not know how to deal with them and so we hurt others. Send us those who will lead us in healing. We have hope that our injuries can be healed.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

day 5 – Dependence on others

Jesus, every child, you were dependent on others, on their care, closeness and solicitude. you, we cannot survive without others. We need you and need each other. We learn that loneliness does not feel good. Heal our relationships so that we may come isolation and give ourselves to others with joy.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

day 6 – Playfulness

Jesus, playfulness and imagination were definitely part of your childhood. It is enough to watch children for a while to realise that play is often more important than “serious” work.

Let us be able to be as fully in the present moment as a child absorbed in play. Let us be inspired by the truthfulness and commitment of a playing child.

Let us be able to sometimes allow ourselves not to take ourselves too seriously and to be able to dream.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

day 7 – Weakness

Jesus, almighty God, only love could have made you take on helplessness and become a weak child. You never wanted to use violence because it is not possible to win human hearts by power.

Do not let our weakness lead us into desperation, after all, we know it is part of life. It teaches us to be patient, to pray, to be humble and wise.

Only in weakness can we truly meet other people and build friendship and trust.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

day 8 – Trust

Jesus, as a child you put yourself into the hands of Mary and Joseph. You have the same trust in all people and in us. Sometimes we forget that our life is in good hands, no matter what is happening. We are overcome by baseless fear and worries that bind us. When we watch you, little King, we cannot be afraid of you. Let our life be governed by trust and not by fear.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

day 9 – Growth

Jesus, as a child you grew and became stronger in both body and spirit. We are also invited to grow into the fullness you created us into. Let us not focus on past mistakes and wrongs but instead look toward what is ahead of us. Let us discover the possibilities you send to our life and enable us to use them creatively. Let us allow our lives to bloom into full beauty.

The Lord’s Prayer – Hail Mary – Glory to the Father

Lord Jesus, you became man…

Chaplet – 12 mysteries of Jesus‘ childhood

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
And the Word became flesh. The Lord’s prayer… (three times)
And the Word became flesh and lived among us. Hail Mary… (twelve times; the following mysteries of Jesus’ childhood are added gradually)

1. … who was for eternity the expected Messiah
2. … who was proclaimed to the Virgin Mary
3. … with whom Mary visited Elizabeth
4. … who was announced to Joseph in his dream
5. … who was born in Bethlehem
6. … to whom the shepherds and the wise men bowed
7. … who was circumcised on the eighth day
8. … who was brought to the temple
9. … who had to flee to Egypt with his family
10. … who lived a hidden life in Nazareth
11. … who was found again in the temple
12. … who prospered in spirit and body and was beloved by God and also by the people

Glory to the Father…

Prayer of venerable Father Cyril of the Mother of God

Discalced Carmelite (1590–1675)

Jesus, you decided to become a child, and I come to you full of trust. I believe that your attentive love pre-empts all my needs. Even for the intercession of your holy Mother, You can meet my needs, spiritual as well as material, if I pray according to your holy will.

I love you with all my heart, all my strength, I beg your forgiveness if my weakness makes me sin. I repeat with the Gospel “Lord, if you want, you can heal me.” I leave you to decide how and when. I am ready to accept suffering, if this is your will, but help me not to become hardened to it, rather to bear fruit.

Help me to be a faithful servant and for your sake, holy Child, to love my neighbour as myself. Almighty Child, unceasingly I pray for you to support me in my necessities of the present moment (you can mention them here).

Grant me the grace to remain in you, to be possessed and to possess you entirely,with your parents, Mary and Joseph, in the eternal praise of your heavenly servants.

Amen.

L’enfant Jésus de Prague

Il neige.
Le grand monde est mort sans doute. C’est décembre.
Mais qu’il fait bon, mon Dieu, dans la petite chambre !
La cheminée emplie de charbons rougeoyants
Colore le plafond d’un reflet somnolent,
Et l’on n’entend que l’eau qui bout à petit bruit.

Là-haut sur l’étagère, au-dessus des deux lits,
Sous son globe de verre, couronne en tête,
L’une des mains tenant le monde, l’autre prête
À couvrir ces petits qui se confient à elle,
Tout aimable dans sa grande robe solennelle
Et magnifique sous cet énorme chapeau jaune,
L’Enfant Jésus de Prague règne et trône.

Il est tout seul devant le foyer qui l’éclaire
Comme l’hostie cachée au fond du sanctuaire,
L’Enfant-Dieu jusqu’au jour garde ses petits frères.
Inentendue comme le souffle qui s’exhale,
L’existence éternelle emplit la chambre, égale
À toutes ces pauvres choses innocentes et naïves !
Quand il est avec nous, nul mal ne nous arrive.

On peut dormir, Jésus, notre frère, est ici.
Il est à nous, et toutes ces bonnes choses aussi :
La poupée merveilleuse, et le cheval de bois,
Et le mouton sont là, dans ce coin tous les trois.
Et nous dormons, mais toutes ces bonnes choses sont à nous !
Les rideaux sont tirés… Là-bas, on ne sait où,
Dans la neige et la nuit sonne une espèce d’heure.

L’enfant dans son lit chaud comprend avec bonheur
Qu’il dort et que quelqu’un qui l’aime bien est là,
S’agite un peu, murmure vaguement, sort le bras,
Essaye de se réveiller et ne peut pas.

Источник: //www.pragjesu.cz/en/prayers-texts/

10 Awesome Bible Verses About the Power of Prayer

Who is your source of power? This list of awesome power of prayer Bible verses is meant to encourage you today. I pray that you read through these Bible verses and then take them to God in prayer.

Ask God for the wisdom and discernment to teach you how He wants you to pray and for what He wants you to pray for.

For a great Christian song check out the video to the right Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech.

Ask

Matthew 7:7  “Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it

Pray in Faith

This list of awesome power of prayer Bible verses is meant to encourage you today.

Mark 9:29  And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Always & With Thanksgiving

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Christian Quotes About Prayer

Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. ~ John Bunyan

The fewer the words the better prayer.  ~ Martin Luther

Prayer is an effort of will.  ~ Oswald Chambers

Our prayer and God’s mercy are two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends.  ~ Arthur Hopkins

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.  ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. Gods voice in response to mine is its most essential part. ~ Andrew Murray

Don’t pray when you feel it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees. ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Prayer is the acid test of devotion. ~ Samuel Chadwick

Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness.  ~ Williams Carey

My prayer for you today is that you take these Bible verses you just read and do something with them. Too often we just take information in and then move on to the next project or thing. Use these awesome Bible Verses and put them into action by being obedient to what they teach!

Resources

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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Источник: //www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-awesome-bible-verses-about-the-power-of-prayer/

What Can We Learn about Prayer from the Way Jesus Prayed?

“I’m praying for you.”

“I’ll pray for that.”

“My prayers are with you.”

Christians throw statements this out all the time, don’t they? The most cynical among us might wonder, “Is he really praying for me?” And yet, whatever the quality of someone’s follow-through, he tells us he’s praying because he believes prayer matters. It’s effective. J.I.

Packer got it precisely right in Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, “If you are a Christian, you pray; and the recognition of God’s sovereignty is the basis of your prayers.

” Convinced that God is powerful and in control, believers go to him in prayer, entrusting the nuts and bolts of their daily lives into his omnipotent hands.

But do we talk about prayer more than we actually pray? That’s the chink in the armor of our sanctification that I’d you to think about for a moment. I’m convinced a lot of us talk and read about prayer much more than we pray. It shouldn’t be this way.

I don’t want to induce you to pray by making you feel bad for not praying (it wouldn’t work—not for long, anyway). Instead, I’d you to reflect for a few moments on the life of Jesus.

I’m hopeful that his example and ultimately his sacrifice will motivate you to be more faithful in prayer.

How did Jesus pray?

In Luke 6:12 we encounter something extraordinary. Jesus prayed: “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.”

It appears that Jesus was praying for wisdom to know whom to select as his twelve apostles. This is a reasonable conclusion. The first thing Jesus does after praying is gather together his disciples and choose the twelve (Luke 6:13-14). Not only that, in Matthew’s account, before settling on his apostles, Jesus exhorted the disciples to pray.

And notice what he told them to pray for: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:37).

If prayer is simply talking to God, it shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus prayed. In John 11:41 we see Jesus thanking his Father for hearing him. In Mark 14:36 we find Jesus praying for a way the cross. Clearly it was Jesus’ custom to pray. But this raises an interesting question: why did Jesus pray?

Why did Jesus pray?

The answer is found in the fact that Jesus is both God and man. As the eternal Son of God, Jesus prayed his divinity—serving as a display of communion with his Father (John 10:30).

Being one with the Father, there is no reason to be surprised that the Son communicated with the Father. In that sense, Jesus’ prayer life is rooted in his divinity.

But not only that, Jesus prayed his humanity as well—serving as a model for us of what dependence on the Father looks .

This opens a door into some fascinating questions: Did Jesus know which disciples would be his apostles before he prayed to the Father? Did Jesus need to pray in order to make the right decision? Suffice it to say that the implications of the incarnation are too numerous and deep for our small minds to grasp. But this much is clear, Jesus lived a life of trust in and dependence on his Father to lead him—including leading him to the twelve men preordained by God to represent Jesus on earth.

Regardless of why Jesus prayed, there is much to learn from his example. Let's focus on five lessons we learn from Jesus on prayer.

Lessons from the Prayer Life of Jesus

1. Prayer is necessary.

We are never too busy to pray. Most of us, much of the time, feel as if we are too busy to pray. We have to sleep, after all. We have to work. We have to take care of the kids.

We have to have some down time, don’t we? And when all those things we have to do are done, there is hardly any time for prayer! At least that’s what we tell ourselves. And yet, the truth is that we need prayer as surely as we need sleep and food and rest.

Each of us relies on God, and we demonstrate this reliance by praying. Jesus had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and yet he prayed. How much more should we?

2. Prayer demands solitude.

We should make it a personal discipline to unplug from the world before we speak to the One who made the world. I’m reminded of Susanna Wesley who had no place of escape from her numerous children.

She found solitude in the corner of the kitchen with her apron pulled over her head to allow her just a few moments to think and pray.

3. Prayer will often be strenuous.

On that mountainside Jesus continued to pray all night. He once rebuked his disciples for failing to stay awake and pray (Mark 14:37). Because he is fully man Jesus felt the need to sleep and rest.

Yet he believed it was more important for him to stay alert and pray. What makes us think that our prayer life should be easy? Persistence ought to be the hallmark of every believer’s prayers.

We are to plead with God faithfully, fervently, and passionately (see Luke 18:1-18).

4. Prayer has a purpose.

Jesus had real work to do. Apostles must be chosen. These apostles would go on to preach and write the words the Spirit would use to build the church (Eph. 2:20). Jesus had a church to establish, and so he prayed. When we pray, we ought to know what needs to be accomplished. I the well-worn acronym, A.C.T.S.

We pray to adore the Father because he is worthy of all adoration. We pray to confess our sin because we are to be aware, daily, of our need for forgiveness. We pray to thank God because an attitude of thanksgiving is a mark of every true believer. Finally, we pray supplication, asking God to provide because we know he cares about what we need.

This is what it looks for us to pray with a purpose.

5. Prayer is effective.

Jesus prayed because he knew no decision is outside the will of the Lord. But having prayed, Jesus acted. He stepped out and selected the men he believed best suited to do the work he needed. And so it is with us. We pray, because we know that God is sovereign.

And then we act, trusting that God will guide our steps (see James 5:13-18).                      

More than a Model

In these five ways, Jesus is a tremendous model for us in prayer. But we must be careful not to see Jesus only as our example in prayer. Graeme Goldsworthy warns us that to see Jesus merely as an example may be counterproductive.

Seeing how spectacularly well Jesus prayed may be demoralizing for some of us, reminding us of the many ways we fall short. Though I’m convinced we must hold Jesus out as a model to follow, if he is only a model we will surely fail.

Though prayer is a discipline we must improve on for the Lord, it is also, as Goldsworthy argued in Prayer and the Knowledge of God, “the fruit of what Christ has done for us.”

In short, the path to better prayer is not fundamentally praying because Jesus prayed, but praying because Jesus died and rose again.

It is through this death and resurrection that we find more than an example, we find a Savior who bore the wrath of God that we deserved, took the debt of sin that we accrued, and declared us righteous. That is grace.

And having received such plentiful grace, we pray. Not merely because Jesus prayed, but because Jesus died to give us hearts that long to pray.

So, as you look to the life and ministry of Jesus, by all means be encouraged to pray better.

“How we view that relationship will determine, in turn, how we come to God in prayer and with what confidence. Prayer will never again be a sentimental excursion or an instinctive hitting of the panic button.

Nor will it be the presumption of an innate right to demand God’s attention. Rather it will be the expression of our entry into God’s heavenly sanctuary, which has been procured for us by our Great High Priest.

“

We need more than lessons to pray better. We need the gospel. So let us go back to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:14-16; 10:19-23) where we find an inexhaustible source of power to pray.

Aaron Menikoff (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Senior Pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. He blogs at “Free to Serve” and is the author of Politics and Piety (Pickwick).

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Paola Aguilar

Источник: //www.christianity.com/christian-life/prayer/5-lessons-from-jesus-on-prayer.html