Prayer

"A Prayer for Success" is Omartian's next focus in her devotional prayer study. The passage to reflect on is Genesis 24:1-27. Omartian emphasizes the selfless attitude of Abraham's servant, whom "was most likely Eliezer". I've read this passage of Scripture so many times; yet, each time I failed to see Eliezer's selflessness. Rather, I saw a person who tested God to receive something in return. Abraham requested Eliezer to complete the following task:  "go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac." When Eliezer arrived in the city of Nahor, he prayed the LORD would give him success and "show kindness unto [his] master Abraham." This kindess would be shown by the answer to his prayer. The request? That the woman at the well who offerred water not only to Eliezer but to his camels as well would be the very woman God "appointed for [His] servant Isaac". Eliezer wasn't testing God. Yes, his prayer was certainly specific, but he had an important task to carry out. He wasn't thinking of himself; on the contrary, he was thinking of his master. Rebekah appeared before Eliezer finished his prayer. She was the one God appointed for Isaac. Receiving the answer to his prayer, Abraham's servant "bowed down his head, and worshiped the LORD." Eliezer gave credit where credit was due. His answer to prayer was a testament to God's faithfulness and divine intervention. How limited my thinking! Omartian has a special way of bringing to light little pieces of a story that mean so much; if taken out, the true message can be easily missed. I believe testing God comes from a selfish heart. Eliezer didn't test God because He wasn't focused on his wants; rather, he knew the significance of his responsibility and that it would be God alone Who would ultimately provide a clear path. Omartian ends this study with these words:  "Like Eliezer, walk so close to God that you're able to put aside what you might want for yourself in order to succeed at what God wants for you."

Prayer

The passage to read and consider is Genesis 22:1-19. The topic of this bible study is "Making Sacrifices". Has God called you to make a sacrifice? Sometimes, as in this passage, God calls us to make sacrifices to test our faith. God kept His promise to Abraham. He gave him an heir, his son Isaac. Abraham knew sacrificing his son would also mean sacrificing his dream; however, Abraham prepared to do that which the LORD asked of him. How could Abraham possibly understand the LORD's reasoning in this sacrifice? I'm sure he didn't. Just one moment away from killing his only son, the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven. Abraham, after all, was not required to sacrifice his son. God's purpose was not to allow the murder of Isaac; rather, He was testing Abraham's faith. I believe Abraham passed the test! As Stormie Omartian relates this true story to the sacrifice of God's only Son, Jesus, I am astounded by such tremendous love! Isaac carrying the wood for the offering meant for him pictures Jesus carrying His cross to Golgotha. Abraham placing Isaac on the altar pictures God placing His Son on the cross. Abraham raising his knife to kill his son pictures God permitting Jesus to give His life a ransom to whoever chooses to believe. Reflecting on this study, I have to ask myself, "How much do [I] trust God - really?" Would I be willing to die for Him or allow a dream in my life perish? In Stormie Omartian's prayer, she confesses, "I don't want to cling to something You will not bless, or give up on something that is Your will for my life."

Prayer

The following passage of Scripture is reflected on in Omartian's next study, "When We Have to Wait":  Genesis 15:1-6. In the first verse, the LORD comes to Abraham in a vision and tells him to "Fear not", that He is his "shield" and his "exceeding great reward". After reading this verse, my eyes were drawn to the two words "great reward". If the LORD is our great reward, what do we have to fear? Everything we do in this life is to be done for the LORD. If we live this way, what more could we possibly want? If we live in light of eternity, if we live to praise the LORD, if we live to give the LORD everything, if we live to be a sacrifice to the One who gave His life for us, what could we possibly be ungrateful for? There would be no void, no questions asked. If God is my great reward, there is nothing greater. To be a child of the King is the greatest opportunity of all. Nothing surpasses. Despite this, Abraham asked for an heir. Though Abraham was apprehensive (Abraham was already 75 years old when God promised him numerous descendents), God kept His promise. When Isaac was born, Abraham was 100 years old. This particular bible study truly hits home for me! Often, when I pray to God about a specific situation in my life, I pray without taking the time to wait for His response. What good was the prayer then? Prayer and waiting go hand in hand; they're not separate entities. A relationship will not last without communication; communication without patience is pointless. Perhaps today you are waiting for an answer from God. Disastrous circumstances come from taking matters into our own hands. Whatever you are waiting for, "release it into God's hands and let Him do it in His way and His time. His answer will be worth the wait."

Prayer

"The Power of God's Promise" is discussed on pages 11 and 12. The verses to read and consider are Genesis 9:8-17. Genesis 9:16 states, "And the [rain]bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." In Noah's time, "the earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence" (Genesis 6:11). Noah, however, was a just and wholehearted man who walked with God. The LORD could have destroyed the world and every living creature; yet, He saved Noah and his family. The rainbow is a reminder of God's promise. He will never again send a world-wide flood. God keeps His promises! Our faith in the LORD strengthens when we place our trust in His promises and express that trust through our actions and words. On page 12, Stormie Omartian says the following:  "By asserting our belief in His promises in prayer, we put ourselves in a position to see a lot more from God's perspective and a lot less from the enemy's."

Joel Engle: "Capture Me Again"...Beautiful Song!

Staring in silence I see the page,
But my heart is in another place.
The music plays, the voices sing.
Oh, but what does a song really mean?

It's so sad but so true,
It's just another moment missed with You.

Oh, capture me again,
Revive what seems so dim.
Restore first love's fire,
My heart's desire.

So inequipped, the words of a prayer,
But they dissolve into the thin air.
I see the pain within her eyes,
I give a smile as I quickly pass by.

It's so sad but so true,
It's just another moment missed with You.

Oh, capture me again,
Revive what seems so dim.
Restore first love's fire,
My heart's desire.

I see the beauty of Your goodness,
but I settle for something much less.
Your gentle whisper, Your presence so sweet.
Will I walk away or sit at Your feet?
Oh, Jesus please break through.
I don't want to miss this moment with You.

Oh, capture me again,
Revive what seems so dim.
Restore first love's fire,
My heart's desire.

Capture me again.
 Capture me again.

Prayer

In Stormie Omartian's next study, "Powerful Listening", she makes this vital statement:  "Prayer is more than talking to God." Prayer also involves us listening to God. Imagine talking to a friend, sharing things from your heart, asking for advice, direction but not waiting to hear what your friend has to say. One-way conversations are not substantial. They may help release frustration, guilt, shame, remorse; where is the peace in releasing these feelings? It's good to let go, but let go for good. Leave your burdens at the feet of Jesus, and listen to His direction. Future frustration, guilt, shame, and remorse may be avoided by actually taking the time to listen. We often try to take matters into our own hands without considering the consequences. We act on feeling and impulse. I've learned the hard way how doing so can hurt not only myself but others as well. Instead of taking the time to pray for direction and waiting to hear from God, I took control, not allowing myself to learn the uplifting power of patience.

Prayer

The verses emphasized in Stormie Omartian's next devotional Bible study, "A Walk in the Garden", are Genesis 3:8-9, which read "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:  and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" Adam and Eve had the greatest opportunity given to them from the very beginning, walking with God. They were so close to their Creator that nothing could possibly break that communion, but wait, something did. It was one simple but drastic decision that forever altered the course of the Universe. Though there was no sin in the world in the beginning, God gave us from the start the power to make our own choices. That drastic choice carried out in the garden bore its weight of sin; however, God still yearned for Adam and Eve's presence. He still longed for the relationship they once shared. Though God was still willing to restore that fellowship, Adam and Eve hid in their shame. Wrong decisions made keep us from experiencing the true joy that comes from following the LORD; however, they should never keep us from the LORD. We are to learn from our mistakes and continually pray to Him so when He asks for our presence we may say, "Here I am LORD".

Prayer

I'm sure prayer is an area most people could improve in. It isn't a ritual, and it certainly isn't to be thought of as meaningless. There is something self-sacrificing about prayer. Coming to the throne of God is a privilege we often take for granted; yet, it is a privilege granted freely to be carried out unceasingly. On pages five and six of Stormie Omartian's book The Power of Prayer, she covers "God's Connection with Us". The verse emphasized is Genesis 2:7:  "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." The Lord spoke, and so the universe was. We not only have the ability to breathe but to speak as well. What an honor it is to communicate with the God of the Universe, the Creator of everything! Our prayers will never be perfect because we are imperfect beings; however, our Father wants to hear us. Sometimes, we may not have the words to speak, but God knows what is in our hearts. Author Omartian suggests to start praying "Thank You" if words don't seem to come easily. Maybe it's been awhile since you've last prayed, or maybe you've never prayed a single prayer your whole life. Just start by saying, "Thank You".