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Post by John on Apr 10, 2019 9:27:29 GMT -5
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
The people in Judah had sinned, and were not following God's commandments. Under the leadership of Hezekiah, they held a Passover, and set their hearts to serve God. This verse says their voice was heard, and their prayers reached heaven. This stood out to me, because to take the time to say that makes me wonder if there are prayers that don't reach heaven? We know God knows all things, so he knows everything we pray, so I don't think this means he isn't aware of all prayers.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Apr 10, 2019 10:13:24 GMT -5
Of course God hears and sees everything. But listening or paying attention is a different matter. There are several places in Scripture that tell us certain prayers are either hindered or not even listened to. Paul says the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in ways we can’t even think to pray ourselves. It is best to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit at His direction so we have the best chance of praying in accordance with God’s will. Also there is a strong correlation between righteousness and effective prayer. The closer we walk with God, the more the Holy Spirit will be inclined to move and speak through us.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Apr 10, 2019 10:30:22 GMT -5
...Also there is a strong correlation between righteousness and effective prayer. The closer we walk with God, the more the Holy Spirit will be inclined to move and speak through us. "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do
those things that are pleasing in His sight." - 1 John 3:21-22
"And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." - 1 John 5:15
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you
will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." - John 15:7
Of course, the closer we walk with God the more confidence we have in Him.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples,
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do
he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." - John 14:12
Blessings!
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Post by John on Apr 10, 2019 10:57:04 GMT -5
...Also there is a strong correlation between righteousness and effective prayer. The closer we walk with God, the more the Holy Spirit will be inclined to move and speak through us. "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do
those things that are pleasing in His sight." - 1 John 3:21-22
"And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." - 1 John 5:15
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you
will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." - John 15:7
Of course, the closer we walk with God the more confidence we have in Him.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples,
If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself,
and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do
he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." - John 14:12
Blessings! Before it mentions that their prayers reached heaven, we read how there was national repentance, and the people had prepared their hearts to seek God. Preparing our hearts looks like a major reason these prayers made it to God's throne. Are there ways to prepare our hearts today?
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Post by joseph on Apr 10, 2019 13:06:30 GMT -5
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
The people in Judah had sinned, and were not following God's commandments. Under the leadership of Hezekiah, they held a Passover, and set their hearts to serve God. This verse says their voice was heard, and their prayers reached heaven. This stood out to me, because to take the time to say that makes me wonder if there are prayers that don't reach heaven? We know God knows all things, so he knows everything we pray, so I don't think this means he isn't aware of all prayers. Second thought first: Yahuweh (God) did not hear the cries and prayers of (millions?) of people before the flood - only Noah and the seven family members with Noah were heard. Everyone else died in the flood, remaining unheard, and unforgiven for their own wickednesses , transgressions and overflowing super-abundant sinfulness worldwide at the time. First thought second: God says whose prayers He "listens to" (realize before creation He already knew all the prayers anyone would pray, all the words anyone would ever speak - and everyone one day will be judged for every idle word)... and whose prayers He does not "hear" (for our sakes He says this, not because He doesn't "know" everything. Most people's prayers today, most people who write in the forums and most people who read the forums, God says in His Word He does not "hear" their prayers. He also gives the solution, in Christ Jesus, so people do not have to remain "unheard" and "unanswered". All through His Word, He is Perfectly Righteous, Merciful, Just, Consistent and continual unchanging perfect harmony with no contradictions, no, not even one contradiction.
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Post by John on Apr 10, 2019 13:20:32 GMT -5
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
The people in Judah had sinned, and were not following God's commandments. Under the leadership of Hezekiah, they held a Passover, and set their hearts to serve God. This verse says their voice was heard, and their prayers reached heaven. This stood out to me, because to take the time to say that makes me wonder if there are prayers that don't reach heaven? We know God knows all things, so he knows everything we pray, so I don't think this means he isn't aware of all prayers. Second thought first: Yahuweh (God) did not hear the cries and prayers of (millions?) of people before the flood - only Noah and the seven family members with Noah were heard. Everyone else died in the flood, remaining unheard, and unforgiven for their own wickednesses , transgressions and overflowing super-abundant sinfulness worldwide at the time. First thought second: God says whose prayers He "listens to" (realize before creation He already knew all the prayers anyone would pray, all the words anyone would ever speak - and everyone one day will be judged for every idle word)... and whose prayers He does not "hear" (for our sakes He says this, not because He doesn't "know" everything. Most people's prayers today, most people who write in the forums and most people who read the forums, God says in His Word He does not "hear" their prayers. He also gives the solution, in Christ Jesus, so people do not have to remain "unheard" and "unanswered". All through His Word, He is Perfectly Righteous, Merciful, Just, Consistent and continual unchanging perfect harmony with no contradictions, no, not even one contradiction. Great answer!
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Post by 2fw8212a on Apr 10, 2019 13:36:13 GMT -5
Are there ways to prepare our hearts today? "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth." - Psalm 145:18
"Jesus said to him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." - John 14:6
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far
off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:13
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us,
that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21
"let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." - Hebrews 10:22
Blessings!
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Post by John on Apr 10, 2019 13:49:40 GMT -5
I was thinking about some things a person can do to prepare their hearts. Confession of all known sins seems like a good place to start, and asking the Lord to reveal things we are doing He doesn't approve of. Reading and meditating on scripture to renew our mind is important. Taking time to praise and worship is important. Giving God thanks for His many blessings. All those things can be helpful before getting into intercessory prayer. One other often neglected thing, fasting. Few Christians even fast for a full day anymore.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Apr 10, 2019 14:13:31 GMT -5
Feed that inner spirit person with the word of God until His voice and character are recognized. Get to know His likes and dislikes. Learn what moves His heart. Put away personal agendas/biases to seek God’s will in every situation. Make sure the prompting you feel is really His voice and not your personal opinion. Test things. God won’t blame us for being diligent. Don’t assume every idea that pops in your head is from Him, even while you’re ostensibly praying. Be diligent to know what He sounds like, what He would likely say, and how He would likely move. We must be diligent. “My sheep know my voice” is not an easy-peasy assumption that Christians will magically hear the Holy Spirit with perfect accuracy from day one. We know His voice because we incline our ears and listen for the voice that sounds most like Scripture.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Apr 10, 2019 14:57:47 GMT -5
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. — 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
If you think your enemy won’t use religious rhetoric to deceive you, think again. Satan quoted Scripture at Jesus to try to throw Him off. Every false prophet uses the right lingo to appear holy.
Knowing some easy cliches from the Bible is not enough to recognize the Holy Spirit. Get past the surface and earnestly seek Him.
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Post by joseph on Apr 10, 2019 15:08:58 GMT -5
I was thinking about some things a person can do to prepare their hearts. Confession of all known sins seems like a good place to start, and asking the Lord to reveal things we are doing He doesn't approve of. Reading and meditating on scripture to renew our mind is important. Taking time to praise and worship is important. Giving God thanks for His many blessings. All those things can be helpful before getting into intercessory prayer. One other often neglected thing, fasting. Few Christians even fast for a full day anymore.
Who is the good shepherd ? Jesus. Whose voice do the sheep of Jesus KNOW and FOLLOW ? Jesus's Voice. Why ? Because He Says So. We won't follow another voice. (we may hear many voices ; spirit, mind, soul, flesh, demons, angels, doctrines.....) What does a sheep who is Jesus' sheep have to do to hear the shepherd ? Nothing. Just Hear, and obey/ follow. Jesus' Voice, Plan, Path, Discipline, Scourging, Training, Instruction, Directions: Always in perfect harmony with all Scripture.
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Post by John on Apr 10, 2019 15:23:09 GMT -5
I was thinking about some things a person can do to prepare their hearts. Confession of all known sins seems like a good place to start, and asking the Lord to reveal things we are doing He doesn't approve of. Reading and meditating on scripture to renew our mind is important. Taking time to praise and worship is important. Giving God thanks for His many blessings. All those things can be helpful before getting into intercessory prayer. One other often neglected thing, fasting. Few Christians even fast for a full day anymore.
Who is the good shepherd ? Jesus. Whose voice do the sheep of Jesus KNOW and FOLLOW ? Jesus's Voice. Why ? Because He Says So. We won't follow another voice. (we may hear many voices ; spirit, mind, soul, flesh, demons, angels, doctrines.....) What does a sheep who is Jesus' sheep have to do to hear the shepherd ? Nothing. Just Hear, and obey/ follow. Jesus' Voice, Plan, Path, Discipline, Scourging, Training, Instruction, Directions: Always in perfect harmony with all Scripture. I was speaking of preparing our hearts that God would hear our prayers. Jesus' true sheep do hear His voice.
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Post by joseph on Apr 10, 2019 15:33:01 GMT -5
Who is the good shepherd ? Jesus. Whose voice do the sheep of Jesus KNOW and FOLLOW ? Jesus's Voice. Why ? Because He Says So. We won't follow another voice. (we may hear many voices ; spirit, mind, soul, flesh, demons, angels, doctrines.....) What does a sheep who is Jesus' sheep have to do to hear the shepherd ? Nothing. Just Hear, and obey/ follow. Jesus' Voice, Plan, Path, Discipline, Scourging, Training, Instruction, Directions: Always in perfect harmony with all Scripture. I was speaking of preparing our hearts that God would hear our prayers. Jesus' true sheep do hear His voice.
Related appropriate convicting often needed Biblical reading of Watchman Nee verified word for word from the book (still subject to 'testing' ) < The Spiritual Man > 2 of 2 audio (someone reading clearly, 2 hours 25 minutes (and one second), (I may just listen to 5 minutes or 25 minutes at a time, and it is like Jesus Word, without adding or subtracting from Jesus Word, like a sword, a two edged sword) ....... 6 1/2 minute mark to 7 1/2 minute might be most pertinent, but all is wonderful , bit by bit, as Yahweh grants time and grace when the time is right to listen.... <www . youtube.com/watch?v=N9W0aj1kjn8> p.s. (actively listening now, again).... ten minute mark to eleven minute is clarifying inability of flesh to do spiritual ......
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Apr 10, 2019 15:34:03 GMT -5
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. — Isaiah 1:15
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts... Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. — James 4:3, 8
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. — 1 Peter 3:7
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. — 1 Timothy 2:8
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. — Psalms 24:3-4
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Apr 10, 2019 15:41:03 GMT -5
Scripture repeatedly makes a connection between prayer and clean hands. It isn’t enough to mumble apologies before prayer time, assume you are now in good standing with God, and commence praying for whatever you want. How clean is your vessel, really? How surrendered are you to holiness? If you must constantly do a bunch of apologizing before prayer time, there’s a problem.
Not that I’m holier than thou. I’m a work in progress myself. But I see the goal in the distance.
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