Weekly Update | October 19, 2023
On Prayer
Dmitriy Zherebnenkov
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said, “Man is at his greatest and highest when upon his knees he comes face to face with God.”
Beloved, who taught you to pray? Have you had or currently have a person in your life whose prayer is a positive example worth emulating? Do you know how to pray? Are you confident that your prayer life is effective? What are you trying to accomplish when you pray? Or are you faithfully and genuinely following a protocol that is simply necessary as a Christian discipline?
This is just a subset of questions that periodically come up in those who desire to grow in prayer. Now one of the most difficult questions is this: Am I satisfied in prayer?
The following survey reveals that God is far from the center of our prayers. Participants were asked to indicate all the categories that they touch on in their prayers. Only 37% mentioned God’s greatness and submission to him as a subject of their prayers.
Perhaps this is the answer why oftentimes our prayer life feels “dry” and doesn’t give us joy and satisfaction—there is very little of God’s greatness and contemplation of His glory!
Let us learn together how to rejoice in prayer! Without rushing through and giving yourself time to think, read through Psalm 145:1-7. Focus your mind on God and pray.
Perhaps this is the answer why oftentimes our prayer life feels “dry” and doesn’t give us joy and satisfaction—there is very little of God’s greatness and contemplation of His glory!
Let us learn together how to rejoice in prayer! Without rushing through and giving yourself time to think, read through Psalm 145:1-7. Focus your mind on God and pray.
1. I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
4. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
5. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
7. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine: gfchurch.com/ukraine/
The Scripture memory text
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Below are the services and meetings for this weekend:
- Thursday (6:30 PM) – Kid’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents), followed by Bible Study (Proverbs) for the whole church at 7:30 PM.
- Sunday services:
- Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
- Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM