Know The Truth – What Should We Pray For?

Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:11-15. Food, drink, clothing and even life should cause His children to be thankful. Matthew 6:25-32. Here Jesus tells His disciples to pray for their daily food and forgiveness of their sins. See Ephesians 4:32. Our Father will help His children to overcome the temptations of this life. Jesus said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit [man’s spirit] indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41; Cf. Mark 14:38.

The Holy Spirit said, “There hath no temptation [outward trials] taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation [outward trials] also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. For His children to have forgiveness of sins depends upon their willingness to forgive others. Matthew 6:14, 15. As Christians, the Kingdom of God [Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13] is to be first in importance, first in point of time and first in emphasis in our everyday life. A question for our consideration is, “What are your thoughts about the God of this universe being this concerned about His children?”

The Holy Spirit said, “Is any sick among you? 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….Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:14, 16. Prayer is important for the Christian who is sick and suffering. Here we are told that the one praying is to be “a righteous man.” How can one use God’s name in vain and common accepted four-letter words and then when sickness and suffering come, call upon God for help? The apostle Paul prayed three times to have a thorn removed from his flesh. It was not removed. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Did God answer Paul’s prayer?

The Holy Spirit said, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4. Christians are to pray for ALL men and that includes the leaders of our country. Our Father wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Christians are to pray for open doors to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Colossians 4:2-4. The Bible teaches us that God is “the Father” of His children. Are you a child of God? Only the saved will be in heaven. Examples of those who were saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8; 19:1-7. One must hear, believe, repent, confess and be immersed according to these examples!