00:00:35
Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Daily Christian Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. If you go to lifeaudio dot com, you will find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head over to lifeaudio dot com now, and remember you can have full access to our meditations commercial free. Just text Abide to two two four three three for twenty five percent off. Now receive his piece as we meditate and abide in Christ.
00:01:12
Speaker 2: Welcome to this Abide meditation. I'm Ben Little. Why do we pray? Take a deep breath and release the tension in your neck and shoulders as you contemplate that. In Matthew chapter fifteen, Jesus has an interesting encounter with a Canaanite woman. She is pleading with him to heal her daughter, and he says that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, and he asks her if it's right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs in verses twenty seven and twenty eight. In the message version, it says that she responds, you're right. Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the Master's table. Jesus gave in o woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get right then her daughter became well. These verses show that the future is not fixed in stone. Prayer makes all things possible. In Jesus's discussion with the Canaanite woman, she persistently pleads and Jesus heals her daughter. Prayer can and does change things if not your circumstances, Prayer changes your attitude, Prayer changes you. God knows our future, he knows what we're going to ask for, and he knows what is best for us. Do our prayers change circumstances? Sometimes does communing with God on a deep heart level change us? Absolutely? Dear Lord, I believe in the power of prayer. I have no doubt you hear me your word through James says. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working, but it is all a mystery. What's not a mystery is that you love me, and that you work all things together for my good and your glory. Teach me to pray, Lord, that I might honor you and discern your will for me. You delight in giving your children good things. Thank you in Jesus's name, I do pray. Amen. There is no specific way you have to sit or kneel or hold your hands when you talk to heavenly Father. Pick one that symbolizes the posture of your heart toward God. Right now, breathe deeply. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify anything that might be keeping you from hearing from God today. Is there anything you need to confess so that the communication lines are clear? Talk to him now. Prayer is a mysterious and wonderful thing. Jesus said that if we ask anything in his name, he would do it that the Father would be glorified in the son. Do your prayers glorify God. Let's pray. Dear God, I know that you always answer my prayers, but I also know that you don't always answer in the way that I want. There are so many stories in the Bible about healing that sometimes I think that surely you heal everyone who comes to you. But I know that you are more interested in changing me than you are in changing my circumstances. Help me to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking with humility, to accept your will Amen. Prayer is a mystery for sure, but one that opens doors to amazing things. It truly does change things, most of all us. Until next time, may you abide in Christ.
Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Daily Christian Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. If you go to lifeaudio dot com, you will find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head over to lifeaudio dot com now, and remember you can have full access to our meditations commercial free. Just text Abide to two two four three three for twenty five percent off. Now receive his piece as we meditate and abide in Christ.
00:01:12
Speaker 2: Welcome to this Abide meditation. I'm Ben Little. Why do we pray? Take a deep breath and release the tension in your neck and shoulders as you contemplate that. In Matthew chapter fifteen, Jesus has an interesting encounter with a Canaanite woman. She is pleading with him to heal her daughter, and he says that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, and he asks her if it's right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs in verses twenty seven and twenty eight. In the message version, it says that she responds, you're right. Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the Master's table. Jesus gave in o woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get right then her daughter became well. These verses show that the future is not fixed in stone. Prayer makes all things possible. In Jesus's discussion with the Canaanite woman, she persistently pleads and Jesus heals her daughter. Prayer can and does change things if not your circumstances, Prayer changes your attitude, Prayer changes you. God knows our future, he knows what we're going to ask for, and he knows what is best for us. Do our prayers change circumstances? Sometimes does communing with God on a deep heart level change us? Absolutely? Dear Lord, I believe in the power of prayer. I have no doubt you hear me your word through James says. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working, but it is all a mystery. What's not a mystery is that you love me, and that you work all things together for my good and your glory. Teach me to pray, Lord, that I might honor you and discern your will for me. You delight in giving your children good things. Thank you in Jesus's name, I do pray. Amen. There is no specific way you have to sit or kneel or hold your hands when you talk to heavenly Father. Pick one that symbolizes the posture of your heart toward God. Right now, breathe deeply. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify anything that might be keeping you from hearing from God today. Is there anything you need to confess so that the communication lines are clear? Talk to him now. Prayer is a mysterious and wonderful thing. Jesus said that if we ask anything in his name, he would do it that the Father would be glorified in the son. Do your prayers glorify God. Let's pray. Dear God, I know that you always answer my prayers, but I also know that you don't always answer in the way that I want. There are so many stories in the Bible about healing that sometimes I think that surely you heal everyone who comes to you. But I know that you are more interested in changing me than you are in changing my circumstances. Help me to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking with humility, to accept your will Amen. Prayer is a mystery for sure, but one that opens doors to amazing things. It truly does change things, most of all us. Until next time, may you abide in Christ.