Barbara Geary
Women’s Ministry Prayer Breakfast
South Shore Baptist Church
October 27, 2007
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”
The above passages opened my heart many years ago to the realization that I needed to know the God of the Bible. As I searched for Him, I read in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I knew in my heart that I was far from being perfect. I was encouraged by Romans 6:23 that even though “the wages of sin is death (spiritual), the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” I wanted this absolutely free gift and realized that Romans 5:8 declared that “God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I received the assurance in John 1:12, 13 that “All who received Him to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” I already had human birth, but needed spiritual birth. In John 3:3 Jesus said, “I tell you the Truth, unless man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” By a simple act of faith, I invited Jesus Christ into my heart in 1959. It has changed me from the inside out according to His promise in John 14:16.
My prayer life involves a personal loving relationship with God, the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit who indwells me ever since I made that transaction with Him. 2 Corinthians declares that “we are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” It is a supernatural experience but very real. Jesus Christ is my best friend as well as Lord, Creator, Savior and Sustainer. John Bunyan described our life as a Pilgrim Journey made up of many experiences and challenges. This small segment called “Time” is crucially important for it determines my eternal destination.
When I stand before the gates of Heaven and God asks me, “Why should I let you in?” I will claim that I have trusted Jesus Christ alone for my salvation and am resting on Romans 4:23-25, “These words ‘it was credited to him (Abraham)’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
Some of My Favorite Verses on Prayer and God’s Promises
- Matthew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer (which is really for His Disciples)
- John 17 Christ’s High Priestly Prayer to God
- Psalms 23, 139 – (in fact all of them)
- James 5:13
- Romans 1 and 8
- Revelation 5:9-14
- John 10, 14 and 15
- Galatians 5:22 – 26
- Philippians 4:4-9
- Daniel 9
- I Thessalonians 4:13-18
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9
- Isaiah 40
- Ephesians 6
- I Corinthians 13 and 15
- Revelation 4, 21 and 22
- Plus many more
A meaningful prayer life only began for me when I came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It has become a growing experience, and I feel certain that there are many listening to me who are more qualified to speak on this subject.
The components of prayer include:
Worship and Adoration (1 Chronicles 16:29), the Truth for who He is and who we are (Psalm 62:5), His divine glory (2 Corinthians 4:6), Fullness of God in bodily form (Colossians 1:19), Knowing Him through the Scriptures (John 5:39). Reading the Book of Psalms and turning them into prayers will reveal God’s holiness, sovereignty, truth, wisdom, faithfulness, patience, love, mercy and grace.
Another component is Thanksgiving (Psalm 118:1). We offer our gratitude for our blessings and mercies. Confession to Him (Psalm 32:1-5), which involves contrition for our sins and should result in changed behavior. Petition and Intercession (I Timothy 2:1) We need to come to God humbly and expectantly relying on His mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16). Also, we need to be concerned for the needs and interests of others. James 5:13-19 describes the prayer of faith and Philippians 4:6, 7 admonishes us: “in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Resources Which Help Me in My Prayer Life Besides Bibles
- Radio WEZE (590 AM)
- 5:00 am Chuck Smith
- 5:30 am RC Sproul
- 6:00 am Dr. Alistar Begg
- 6:30 am Nancy Leigh DeMoss
- 7:00 am Charles Swindoll
- 7:30 am Dr. James Dobson
- 8:30 am Dr. Ed Young (Denise Glenn’s Pastor)
- 9:00 am Radio Bible Class
- 9:30 am Family Life Today
- 10:00 am Dr. J. Vernon McGee
- 10:30 am, Dr. Charles Stanley
- 11:30 am, (Dr. D. James Kennedy) Coral Ridge Hour
- Christian and Classical Music (I have the Bible on CD and listen to it at bedtime)
- Many tapes and CD’s of Bible studies
- Keeping a Journal of thoughts, quotations, prayers, both min and others
- Writing favorite Bible Verses on Spiral Index Cards
- Minimal Television
- Hymnal
- J. Vernon McGee’s Commentary “Thru the Bible”
- Favorite Books include:
- “Prayer Power Unlimited”, J. Oswald Sanders
- “A Diary of Private Prayer”, John Baillie
- “School of Prayer”, Andrew Murray
- “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23”, Philip Keller
- “My Utmost For His Highest”, Oswald Chambers
- “Morning by Morning”, Charles Spurgeon
- “Heaven”, Randy Alcorn
- “The One Year Book of Psalms”, William Peterson
- Some of My Favorite Hymns all of which quickly bring me into God’s Presence:
- “I Would Be True”
- “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
- “May the Mind of Christ My Savior”
- “It Is Well With My Soul” (When peace like a river)
- “Breathe on Me Breath of God”
- “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”
- “Spirit of God” (descend upon my heart)
- “I Need Thee Every Hour”
- “Holy, Holy, Holy”
These I pray back to God.
