Bagong Kristiyanong Pag-aaral ng Bibliya

Puna

 

Learning to Pray

Ni Rev. Kurt Horigan Asplundh

The Word is full of prayers that we can read and use to help us express our heartfelt states. They have a special power to open our minds to influx from heaven and to give us strength against evils and falsities.

"The Word in its literal sense, or the natural, is in its fullness, and also in its power; and by means of it man is in conjunction with the heavens" (The Word 5)

This power becomes effective when the Word is read or recited reverently by people on earth (Divine Providence 256, Apocalypse Explained 1066[4]).

Through prayers from the Word the Lord literally can "give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11).

Here are some examples from the Word, of prayers for personal strength:

"Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes." (Psalm 119:133-135)

"Lord, help me stop worrying anxiously about tomorrow, and give me strength to face the troubles of this day." (Adapted from Matthew 6:3-4)

"I am a little child O Lord; I do not know how to go out or come in.... Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil." (1 Kings 3:7, 9)

Of course, there are many more. Here are just a few more references that you can look up:

Prayers for troubled states: Psalm 4:1, Psalm 7:1, Psalm 42:1, Psalm 86:6-7.

Prayers for mercy and forgiveness: 2 Samuel 24:10, Psalm 25:7, 11, Psalm 130:1-5, Luke 18:13.

Prayers of personal commitment: Mark 12:30, Psalm 37:5.

Prayers of comfort: Psalm 90:1-2.

In so many instances, these prayers have great spiritual power and beauty - not just because of their natural language, but also because, when we read them, we open our minds to the Lord's influx. He says,

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

When we pray, we are hearing His voice, and opening the door.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For you, Lord, are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

(Mga Sanggunian: The Word 15)

Ang Bibliya

 

Psalms 90:1-2

pag-aaral

      

1 LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

      

Ang Bibliya

 

Psalms 90

pag-aaral

   

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

3 You turn man to destruction, saying, "Return, you children of men."

4 For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep them away as they sleep. In the morning they sprout like new grass.

6 In the morning it sprouts and springs up. By evening, it is withered and dry.

7 For we are consumed in your anger. We are troubled in your wrath.

8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 For all our days have passed away in your wrath. We bring our years to an end as a sigh.

10 The days of our years are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty years; yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for it passes quickly, and we fly away.

11 Who knows the power of your anger, your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, Yahweh! How long? Have compassion on your servants!

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen evil.

16 Let your work appear to your servants; your glory to their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.

   

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