We can pray from desperation and lack and poverty or we can pray from victory, praise, and confidence. Seeing all our needs ultimately met in Christ certainly changes how we approach prayer, either for ourselves or for others. It seems all the things we ask for can ultimately be answered with a greater revelation of Christ, for Christ to have the preeminence, for God’s Will and God’s Kingdom to come in all its fullness. Would this not resolve all the problems we are praying through?

How often do we pray for patience, for love, for kindness, for a gentle spirit, for truthfulness at all times….for so many things we have need of, but often FORGET that these things are already available to us, freely given, and it is over to us to EXERCISE these things which are ALREADY WITHIN us through the presence and INDWELLING of our Lord Jesus Christ. He abides IN us and we IN HIM.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power HAS GIVEN to us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which HAVE BEEN GIVEN to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature [now abiding WITHIN US!], having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things ARE YOURS and ABOUND, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS CLEANSED from his old sins.
10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you DO THESE THINGS you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”(2 Peter 1:2-11 my accents added)

Sherry, I still get “prayer requests” and regularly sent “announcements” sent to me from various Churches. If I feel lead I will pray for those in need. But I don’t need to feel “obligated” to any of them. Their Church, Pastor, or their way of worship! I AM FREE IN CHRIST, and so as He tells us about some, I “LEAVE THEM ALONE”. They are the blind leading the blind, who will both fall into a ditch! Sorry to be so direct, but those are His words not mine. Even when they launch a “Send them a note” campaign, I leave them alone. Otherwise, I may begin to feel that somehow, I must point out their mistakes and errors, only to hurt myself for “demonizing” them in the end. The Spirit of Truth “from and of” Jesus Christ will lead them away from that place, not me. If they cared about me SOOO very much, they can “TRULY” pray for me when I have needs. But they don’t and won’t! THEY WON’T EVEN PRAY FOR MY FAMILY OR FRIENDS! If they even do, it is only “hypocritical” prayers to make them look good to God. Let us recognize the “religious spirit” for what it is, and watch ourselves that we don’t fall into it! Love and blessings sent your way for your protection. Timothy B

AMEN!!! I went to a funeral the other day at my previous church. I was ask by more people than I can count to come back to fellowship. After being with everyone and the service itself, I knew in my heart that a religious spirit was still present. I was ask by the children’s minister, who is a dear friend, why have I left. I said it was for personal and spiritual reasons, but a funeral was not the place to talk about this issue. His only answer to me was, “WELL WE CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE AND THERE MAY BE THINGS YOU DON’T LIKE BUT THAT’S NO REASON TO LEAVE”. He was so clueless to my spiritual reasons. It wasn’t about what I like or dislike, it’s about Christ and Him alone. It’s about denying the Spirit’s leadership within the walls of the man made temple, which Matthew says denying the Spirit is an unforgivable sin. Those in the camp do not see that this religious spirit is alive and causing confusion to God’s people. If they were not bottle feed watered down milk, they would be strong enough to see and withstand the enemy and his ways. The enemies best tool to keep people away from Christ is the institutional church with one man at the pulpit running the show and leading people in the ditch. This has gone on for sooo very long that it’s common place and the building seems to be holy in some way because all of peoples attention is keeping the building going and paying hirelings to keep them going. This is a travesty at it’s worst!!!