'The Hour That Changes The World'

[quietbloke]

This is 'A Practical Plan For Personal Prayer',by Dick Eastman,the author of 'No Easy Road'. I'm reading it again. It would be good to share thoughts.

 

[rocknanchor]

Interesting graphic I believe from this same book of things associated to prayer, called the ‘Prayer Wheel’.

How to Pray - KSBJKSBJ

 

[quietbloke]

Interesting graphic I believe from this same book of things associated to prayer, called the ‘Prayer Wheel’.

How to Pray - KSBJKSBJ

Thanks for the attachment 'rocknanchor'. Looking forward to looking at this book again.

 

[quietbloke]

'The Challenge' - 'Have you ever considered giving God a daily gift of time? Not just a few spare minutes here or there,but a substantial gift - perhaps even as much as sixty minutes every day? It would be time alone spent with God in prayer and study of His Word' (Dick Eastman,'The Hour That Changes The World')

 

[ByTheSpirit]

It is a good book full of practical insights on prayer. It can turn Prayer into a religious routine if a person is not careful though, but if I remember correctly he says in the book his prayer pattern is only a starting point and not meant to be followed to the second.

 

[quietbloke]

Thankyou 'ByTheSpirit'. Yes the author makes it very clear that 'the twelve step plan in this book should be applied with spiritual liberty rather than regimented legality. After using these steps for several days or weeks,allow your own prayer program to develop'.

 

[quietbloke]

'What,could you not watch with Me for one hour. Watch and pray' (Matthew 26:40-41)

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Thankyou 'ByTheSpirit'. Yes the author makes it very clear that 'the twelve step plan in this book should be applied with spiritual liberty rather than regimented legality. After using these steps for several days or weeks,allow your own prayer program to develop'.

It is certainly useful in breaking up religious monotony... far too many see God as a sort of genie who we approach with our prayers to grant us our requests. Too many think of "whatever you ask" as I can ask for riches or fame and it will come and if not then God isn't real or not God because he lied.

The book offers a new perspective to those who care to learn. I particularly like the blending of praise and worship along with intercession and petitions. Waiting though is my favorite and most challenging. Being quiet and giving God a chance to speak is by far the most demanding because the mind plays tricks in that quiet time. This isn't real? Waste of time... not worth it. Do something else.

No! Press through! Isn't God worth the effort? The answer is a resounding YES!

 

[quietbloke]

It is certainly useful in breaking up religious monotony... far too many see God as a sort of genie who we approach with our prayers to grant us our requests. Too many think of "whatever you ask" as I can ask for riches or fame and it will come and if not then God isn't real or not God because he lied.

The book offers a new perspective to those who care to learn. I particularly like the blending of praise and worship along with intercession and petitions. Waiting though is my favorite and most challenging. Being quiet and giving God a chance to speak is by far the most demanding because the mind plays tricks in that quiet time. This isn't real? Waste of time... not worth it. Do something else.

No! Press through! Isn't God worth the effort? The answer is a resounding YES!

Yes! Dick Eastman in his introduction speaks of 'PRAYER' as 'The Slendour Nerve of Power'.'Prayer is the contact of a living soul with God. In prayer,God stoops to kiss man,to bless man and to aid in everything that God can devise or man can need (E M Bounds) 'Prayer is the slendour nerve that moveth the muscles of omnipotence' (Charles Surgeon)

 

[quietbloke]

'Be careful not to become a slave to any "prayer system. Indeed prayer is not a system at all,but the development of a relationship between man and God. The highest goal of the devotional habit is to strengthen this relationship' (Dick Eastman,'The Hour That Changes The World')

 

[quietbloke]

'Praise/Waiting/Confession/ScripturePraying/Watching/Intercession/Petition/Thanksgiving/Singing/Meditation/Listening/Praise'

 

[quietbloke]

How important is praise?

 

[quietbloke]

Prayer should begin and end with praise?

 

[rocknanchor]

After all, I'll still stake my trust in what someone said long ago; 'we don't always know', yet the Church must grow, , still doesn't supersede, He ever lives and never leaves. So, we must grow with Him and gather with Him. Amen.

 

[rocknanchor]

To 'Change the world'. If a book is good enough in technique, it will lead to better content and substance of prayer.

 

[rocknanchor]

How important is praise?

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4)

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” (Psalm 63:4)

 

[quietbloke]

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4)

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” (Psalm 63:4)

I love the 'prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray. It begins with praise,'Our Father,who art in heaven,hallowed be They name'. It finishes with praise,'For Thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory,forever and ever.Amen

 

[quietbloke]

'Waiting'. I often find this difficult,but God wants me to 'wait on Him.'The act of soul surrender',Dick Eastman calls it.' I will wait on Thy name' (Psalms 52:9) He quotes a lovely experience of an old lady. "Well,I always begin my day with a season of prayer. In fact,I pray until I can't pray anymore. Then I take my Bible and read until I can't read anymore. After that I take my hymnbook from the shelf and I sing until I can't sing any more. Then I just sit quietly and let God love me"

 

[quietbloke]

'Confession' ' If we confess our sin,He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness',God's Word tells us.

 

[quietbloke]

'Scripture praying'. Reading,meditating and using the Word of God as fuel in prayer.