March 21, 2019
1 Samuel 12:22-24                             
For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.  As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.  But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
New International Version (NIV)
               Who taught you to pray?  As a teen, I read a book on prayer by E. M. Bounds.  In more recent years I have read books on prayer by Richard Foster, Philip Yancey and J. I. Packer.  My first influence in prayer, though, was my mother.  She prayed.

                Samuel could say the same.  His very presence in the world was God’s answer to his mother’s prayer and the prayers of others in Israel.  After the dark night of the period of the Judges, Israel needed a leader.  Hannah just wanted a child.  Her first son, Samuel became the leader Israel needed. 

                After Samuel’s tenure as Israel’s leader, they sought a king so that they could be like the other nations.  God explained to Samuel that Israel had rejected the Lord who had always been their only King.  As he gave them final instructions, Samuel promised them the two things which spiritual leaders have to offer to others.  First, he promised to continue to pray for them.  Second he promised to teach them the way they should go.  Prayer and instruction.  That is all that Samuel had in his tool kit.  Later the Apostles would promise to pray and minister the word to the people.  When you and I learn to pray and we take God’s word to heart, we may well become the answer to someone’s prayer.  
Pray with me:    
Father, please teach us to pray.  We are not looking for a form, a formula or a formality.  Let prayer become a force in our lives today we pray.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
About Duane Archives
 Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved.
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
555 Tallowood Road
Houston, TX | 77024 US
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
Subscribe to our email list.