Thursday, May 24, 2012

Scripture Thursday #30 ~ Fullness of Joy


Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name:
 ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

John 16:24

Prayer – a simple word, with such powerful meaning.  A task we understand but can’t comprehend except through faith.  



Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines prayer as:
In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God's glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits. A prayer however may consist of a single petition, and it may be extemporaneous, written or printed.

What is prayer? 

Prayer is talking with God, simple conversation. 

Prayer is asking God for something in accordance with His will,
and then demonstrating our faith by thanking God for answered prayer.

Prayer is asking or thanking God for something specific.



Today’s verse tells us:  ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)

In Matthew 7 we’re told – ask (in Jesus’ name), and it shall be given you….for every one that asketh receiveth

and in Matthew 21:22 and all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

God ALWAYS answers prayer.  It may not be as we want or expect, but He HEARS and ANSWERS.  How?  By responding.  Yes, No, or Wait

God wants to supply our needs, not our greeds.  He is not a genie in a bottle granting wishes and He’s not in the business of making deals.  If you do this for me God, I’ll do that for you.  God knows what is best for us and wants us to depend on Him, by asking for our needs.  In return, he provides for us, opens the windows of heaven and pours out unmeasured blessings on us, and gives us the fullness of joy, that we so desire.  


There’s a beautiful hymn written about prayer, here are some of the lyrics to What a Friend we have in Jesus.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.


Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.


Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.






Prayer is asking, seeking and knocking.  Have you had a prayer answered recently?  If not, it may be because you haven’t prayed one lately.  We all have some need or problem requiring supernatural intervention, which only God can do.  Why don’t you ask him?  This may be your first step towards a closer relationship with God.  






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12 comments:

  1. Thank you Abby for the graphics and for sharing your thoughts.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  2. What a wonderful post. I linked up with a post I did about Prayer and your post actually answered some of the questions I had. Thank you so much for this and for allowing me to link up with you!

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  3. Thank you Abby!!!! It's a BLESSING to wake up & be greeted with words of encouragement! Yes, the Lord HAS recently answered some prayers for me. I'm SOOO HAPPY HE cares for us!!!!!!!:)

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  4. Good Morning Abby, I really needed to hear this today. Thanks Abby for this reminder. Thanks too for the hymn! Joyous Wishes, Linda

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  5. Such lovely graphics and a powerful word this morning!

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  6. Don't know what I would do without the privileged of prayer. Great post, Abby, and beautiful art as well!

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  7. Beautiful post, dear friend! What a privilege prayer is for sure--I don't want to take that for granted! Have a spectacular weekend! :)

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  8. Thanks so much for the prayer reminder. :) I've found that some situations I have been meant to go through for learning lessons. I would not have the gratitude that I have today without some of these valuable lessons.

    Hugs, Sü

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  9. Wow! I'm thrilled to win your scripture cards! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  10. My pastor tells us that "praying" means asking. You can praise Him and lift up His name, but until you ASK Him for something, you haven't actually prayed. He also told us that the verse, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" does not mean that God will just give us whatever our heart desires. It means that when we are delighting ourselves in Him and living a life that is pleasing to Him, that He will give us certain desires. Meaning that the desires of our heart will be desires FROM Him, not from our flesh. It was such a blessing when I realized those two things. It showed me that I need to live in accordance with His will so that He will give me Godly desires, and that I need to ask for things that are not selfish, but that are in His will for my life. I am a big believer that every Christian needs to be actively involved in a Bible-preaching church that will help them understand His Word and live by it. I encourage everyone to find a good Bible-based church in their area and get involved! Thanks for this encouraging blog post!
    Blessings,
    Karen L

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  11. Abby, I so enjoy your vintage images and I get so much from your devotions. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

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Your comments are blessings to my day.