prayer

Turning Prayer into Action

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13

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“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  Matthew 7:7

One business skill-set that has made the largest impact in my personal life is the development of a process. A process is the step-by-step procedure to follow towards a meaningful outcome. Though one tries to control the outcome, in most cases one learns it is the process one only can control. The outcome is usually dependent on many other considerations outside one’s influence. Thus, every important outcome is best governed through a process toward its end.

This holds true even in one’s personal life. Over time we develop meaningful goals to pursue which gives us purpose. Yet, if we don’t have a process to follow, then the goal is only a wish. A dream most likely never to happen.

As Christ-followers, we have been given a macro-goal in partnership with Jesus himself. A goal larger than ourselves. A vision bigger than any one of us. Yes Jesus is the initiator and CEO. But HE has given us a community of other believers within the Church to carry out HIS instructions. He has given us an outline to follow. A process for each of us to put in place with Jesus himself. The details though is a mutual discussion between you and HIM.

Our objectives are outline through the prayer example of Jesus found in the book of Matthew (6:9-13). We are to ask God for help to focus our actions toward seven important outcomes. Each outcome begs a personal reply: What is your process?

The first is to build a meaningful relationship with our Papa God. What is your process?

Followed by surrendering our kingdom under the auspices of God’s Kingdom. Again, what is your process?

Then to learn, develop, and exercise our personal will to be one with our Triune God. Again, what is your process?

Jesus knows the importance of physical necessities. Thus, HE reminds us to ask for our daily living requirements. Food, clothing, shelter are the basics of human survival. HE knows we need them. Again, what is your process?

HE also knows we have all incurred debts through life. He did not mean the financial type. But the spiritual sins of commission and omission that we all have committed. Repentance is the process of acknowledging our need for grace. To refocus our internal drive to a deeper relationship with God. So, how goes your process?

Then Jesus moves to the importance of forgiveness within relationships. The importance of maintaining a relationship is the ability to forgive others. Just as God has forgiven us. How is your process working?

Jesus also knows the struggles of temptation in the world. He instructs us to pray for deliverance from them. Which again begs the question, what is your current process to deal with temptation?

The seventh area Jesus pointed to was evil itself. Evil is real. Evil is anti-God. Evil will knock on your door more times than you want. So, Jesus instructs us to pray asking God to deliver us from it. What does your process against evil entail?

All seven of these objectives are key areas of a Christ-follower’s life. From a personal leadership perspective, each one requires a process to manage. Our focus is to control the process. The outcome is the work of the Holy Spirit in us. As we surrender to our Lord, HE will walk with us through the process.

HE even gave us further instructions on the development of our process. HE told us to ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK. We are first to ask God. We ask HIM to direct our steps. To bring people into our world to assist us. To flood us with HIS Grace as we make every effort to move through the process.

As we continue to ASK, we begin to SEEK HIS answer. We move forward. We look for HIS words, HIS touch, HIS Spirit along the way. When a door appears that may be the answer, we KNOCK. As we turn the knob, but the door remains close, we leave it alone and move on. We keep looking for another door. As we turn the knob on this one, the door slowly opens on its own. We do not have to force or manipulate anything. The door opens wide. We step through and like a champion surfer, we ride the wave to the end. Afterward, we look back and are amazed how everything fell into place.

God is a master worker. HE does good work. As you move through your process, your relationship with HIM grows deeper. Your trust in HIM becomes stronger. You learn the holy swagger walk. You experience the goodness of God.

Yes, we develop a process and follow through with our best effort. We will fall short most times. There we will see God’s grace in action. In the process, we learn how to govern ourselves and others. We also build a stronger relationship with Jesus, our Lord, Savior, and Teacher. The Holy Spirit becomes more active in your world. This all happens as you develop and execute a process of turning prayer into action.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Team Prayer

Dr. Mike 2014 , , ,

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,   Romans 15:30

Sainthood is a team event. When saints come together, they worship the great I AM God. They sing. They pray. They learn the Word of God together. As disciples of Jesus, they learn to follow HIM individually and collectively. Sainthood is not a sole adventure. But a community of people sharing life together.

One discipline done in private and together is prayer. As students of Jesus, we learn the importance of prayer. We start off in private prayer talking with our Maker. Over time we build up a relationship with an invisible God. As we grow in faith and trust, a personal relationship develops. Likewise, when we are together in community, relationships are being made. We share stories. We share food. We share time together building a community of believers who each have come to know their God.

As we come together, we also learn more from each other who God IS. When we pray together, we experience the heart and soul of a person in relationship with the same God we serve. As we worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we come to know more about HIM and ourselves in the process.

The apostle Paul relied on the support of his fellow saints to fulfill his calling in life. He would ask for their prayers on his behalf. His struggles and personal battles to preach the gospel would often overcome him. His solution was always to look for Jesus Christ to provide the strength to carry him through. He was not bashful to request help at times such as in Romans 15 when he believed his life may soon be over.

Yes, we are to pray in private. But we are also asking to pray whenever the occasion calls for it. That means when you are out in the public arena and eyes may be on you. That may mean during a football game when one of the players are severely injured. That may mean in the parking lot of a shopping mall. Or when someone is in desperation and needs help beyond your capacity to deliver. Especially when you are witnessing a live event in a public arena and unable to intervene in a violent situation.

Yes, our relationship with the living God is such we can pray either privately or corporately. Whoever is watching doesn’t change our intensity and intent. Why? Because our relationship with our heavenly Father is real. We know our heavenly Dad’s heart on the manner. We share in supporting HIS ways. And we know HE always hears us and acts on our requests. May not be when and how we expect. But we trust HE knows what is best for all involved in the situation and will see the best long-term solution is made.

So, when you have the time to share prayers with other members of God’s family on earth, take it. Let others come to know the God who walks with you. They and you will grow from the experience.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Maturing Prayer

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.   (John 17:1-5)

This is one of the few prayers of Jesus recorded in the Bible. This is only the introductory part of a much longer prayer. HE spoke these words with HIS Father before He was taken into government custody. What jumped out to me this time as I read it related to a recent discipleship mentoring session.

The person is a recent convert. He surrendered to Lord Jesus a little over one year ago. He is currently carrying a lot of excess baggage from his previous lifestyle. Our sessions are focused on discussing practical theology and Christian living principles. In each session, I would generally open our meeting in prayer and he would close out.

In hindsight, his prayers have matured over time. In the beginning, the emphasis was on himself. His pain. His hope. His suffering. Currently, his prayers are now also focused on the pain of others. The hope for others. To ease the suffering of others. His mind is now focused on himself and others. This is a good thing. We are moving in a healthy direction.

We are now waiting as the Spirit continues HIS work in him. We are looking for a breakthrough. When his focus will also include glorifying God and seeking HIS Will through the outcome.

You may notice Jesus’ prayer not only addressed his needs and those around him, but also Father God’s. That HIS Will be glorified in the process. Him. Others. God. The maturing prayer addresses all three in the same breath.

Yes, we petition our heavenly Father because we need help. We also realize there are others involved that need HIS help. Plus we desire to support our heavenly Father that HIS purpose and Will is executed in the outcome. So at the end of day, HE is lifted up and manifested. HE is glorified.

God. Others. Me. The desire for a good outcome for all three are included. This is the maturing process of prayer. The heart of a prayer warrior becomes more like their teacher. Their prayer follows the example of Jesus himself.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved