We are here for you. We present the unadulterated truth about God's word. Each of our messages provides life applications to the Word of God for today's culture. Our messages help you confront the issues surrounding today's struggles and are updated weekly. 

Title: Encouragement to Pray

Text: Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know"

Scripture gives many encouragements to pray. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, people are repeatedly encouraged to pray. In contrast, there seems to be a concerted effort by a small majority of our society to put restrictions on the public institutions -- outside of the church -- that shape the way our young people think, believe and live. But God will have the final voice in the matter.For example, the following article appeared in the Associated Press, May 13, 2003, issue. Submitted by Jim Sandell. “A new federal law threatening the loss of education funding has the majority of America’s schools declaring that they allow prayer wherever and however the Constitution permits. The law requires school districts to prove that they have no policy stifling court-protected prayer by students or teachers. Districts that do not comply risk losing a share of elementary and secondary money totaling $23 billion. Initial responses due April 15^th showed some states still had dozens of school out of compliance, while other states failed to reply. Officials in those states insist the problem is paperwork, and not trouble over prayer policies. The state of North Carolina got the last of its certifications in early May.

In mid April California listed 133 of its 1200 districts out of compliance, but had reduced the number to 55 by early May. Indiana, Nevada and New Hampshire had not reported, nor had the District of Columbia. In all 42 states had certified all their schools in early May. Education Department spokeswoman, Susan Aspey said, “we’re not at the point where we’re talking about taking funding away from schools or States. The goal all along has been to make sure local school districts do not have any policies in place that sanction religion—or policies that prohibit voluntary religious expression by students.” The states are being asked to prove that they have no policy preventing participation in “constitutionally protected prayer.”

According to recent decisions, prayer is permitted in school provided it occurs outside of class instruction and is not initiated by school officials. Federal officials say students may pray during recess and teachers can hold a Bible study at lunch, but teachers may not lead their class in prayer or try to persuade students to join religious activities.

Many defenders of church-state separation, and advocates of religious expression say they are not sure how meaningful the school’s written promises will be.”Jeremiah 33:3, is one of those Scriptures that gives a great deal of encouragement to pray. In light of today’s cultural circumstances, what encouragement to pray do we find in this text? This verse reveals two spiritual keys that ought to encourage us to always pray.

The First Spiritual Key is the Requirement of man. “Call to me.” This is a command to pray. Some are reluctant to pray, for they think God does not care about their praying. But God cares enough about our praying to command us to pray. The text says it is a requirement. And if God requires you to pray, you should not be reluctant to pray. In fact failure to pray is disobedience. Do not hesitate to come to God in prayer. He wants you to pray -- even commands you to pray. That should certainly encourage any reluctant heart to go to God in earnest prayer. There is a huge difference between freedom FROM religion and freedom OF religion. I’am grateful that the government is taking steps to see that schools are in compliance with the constitution. I have never been as alarmed by the fact that prayer is not permitted in Public Schools as I have by the fact that prayer is often not practiced in private homes.1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV) “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

”The Second Spiritual Key is the Response of God. “I will answer you and tell you great and un-searchable things.” The response of God is threefold. First, there is the welcome of God. “I will answer you.” Do not fear that God is too busy and important to pay attention to your prayer. Unlike many men in important places, God will give you a hearing. He welcomes your prayers. Second, there is the works of God. “Tell you great . . . things.” God is a God of power. “Great” here emphasizes the power of God to do mighty works on your behalf. We do not pray to a weak God. He is not limited by circumstances but by our lack of calling upon Him. It is our failure to call upon Him that limits Him working in power on our behalf. Third, there is the wisdom of God. “Tell you . . . un-searchable things you do not know.” The word un-searchable has wide meaning. Here it involves the meaning of revelation of things which we do not know. For the prophet Jeremiah this was a revelation of the future of Israel. For us it is illumination of the Scriptures to help us know and understand the Bible -- God’s Infallible Word. Finally, in a society that is filled with technological gadgets, why not use these resources to reach-out to many who stand in need of prayer. For many, computers are the bane of spiritual life, but a growing number of people are discovering the Internet is quite suitable for prayer. People are using the Internet for prayer in many ways. Some are sending out prayer requests by e-mail, offering prayer instruction online, and enlisting millions to pray for global causes through postings on various web sites. Over 15,000 web-based prayer circles, the virtual counterpart of physical prayer circles have popped up on line over the past few years.Even mainline denominations are taking prayer on-line. Churches have begun sending weekly e-mail to their members asking them to pray for fellow members and friends who are ill, unemployed, or grieving. The associate pastor of Georgetown Presbyterian Church Merritt Schatz says using e-mail prayer lists is more accurate than the “telephone tree.” Schatz says the problem with phones is that “by the time it gets through many people, the story changes.”Chad Nykamp who works with www.crosswalk.com, a Christian evangelical Web site says Internet prayer sites are popular because “in our busy, go-go society, both believers and non-believers need a sense of connectedness and support in good and bad times.”Whether it is done online or across a table, there is no substitute for prayer in the Christian’s life. It is our lifeline. It is our duty. And it is our joy.

James 5:16 NASB “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”