Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson (cartoon left if you were not aware) ran from November 18, 1985 until December 31, 1995. At its height, it was carried in approximately 2,400 newspapers. It was a brilliant piece of writing which was sometimes criticized for being "too adult" in its content. I enjoyed it immensely. This panel is profound, and could be applied to our daily lives.
Dialog (in case it is hard to read):
Calvin (panel #1): "Wow. Look at the grass stains on my skin."
Calvin (panel #2): "I say, if your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life."
So, do you have dirty knees at the end of the day? If not, maybe it is time to seriously re-examine your prayer life.
Unlike what our mothers told us growing up (be careful not to wear out the knees of your pants), our Father wants us to! I will not claim that the only way to pray is on your knees sequestered in your prayer closet, but it is one way. Find the way that works for you and make it happen.
God speaks to us through His written word, the Bible. Christians speak to God through prayer. Prayer is an important part of the Christian’s life; we pray in words and sometimes we pray in song. Here are twenty important scripture quotes about prayer.
How Often Should We Pray
1 Corinthians 1:4
I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 6:18
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Philippians 1:3-4
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
Colossians 1:3 (KJV)
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray without ceasing
How Should We Pray
Psalm 66:17
I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.
Psalm 95:2
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 14:15
What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
What Should We Pray For
Psalm 50:14-15
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Psalm 118:25
Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!
Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!
Romans 10:1
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
Romans 10:13
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Who Should We Pray For
Romans 15:30
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
2 Corinthians 1:11
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
James 5:13-14
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Christian Quotes About Prayer
“Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.”~ R. A. Torrey
“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” ~ Corrie ten Boom
“You may as soon find a living man that does not breath, as a living Christian that does not pray.” ~ Matthew Henry
“Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.” ~ John Bunyan
“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” ~ Oswald Chambers
FOR FURTHER STUDY
A great series of books of prayer by E. M. Bounds:
Power Through Prayer
Prayer and Praying Men
Purpose in Prayer
The Essentials of Prayer
The Necessity of Prayer
The Possibilities of Prayer
The Reality of Prayer
The Weapon of Prayer
Preacher and Prayer
Lord, Teach Us to Pray by Andrew Murray
All are available on-line as online books, e-books, or e-texts for free. Just use your search engine and search away.
I know there are many, many more recent books on prayer as well, but I like the classics. Personal choice.
Get out there and get those knees dirty!
1 Corinthians 14:15
What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
James 1:6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
What Should We Pray For
Psalm 50:14-15
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
Psalm 118:25
Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!
Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!
Romans 10:1
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
Romans 10:13
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Who Should We Pray For
Romans 15:30
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,
2 Corinthians 1:11
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
James 5:13-14
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Christian Quotes About Prayer
“Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.”~ R. A. Torrey
“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” ~ Corrie ten Boom
“You may as soon find a living man that does not breath, as a living Christian that does not pray.” ~ Matthew Henry
“Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer.” ~ John Bunyan
“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” ~ Oswald Chambers
FOR FURTHER STUDY
A great series of books of prayer by E. M. Bounds:
Power Through Prayer
Prayer and Praying Men
Purpose in Prayer
The Essentials of Prayer
The Necessity of Prayer
The Possibilities of Prayer
The Reality of Prayer
The Weapon of Prayer
Preacher and Prayer
Lord, Teach Us to Pray by Andrew Murray
All are available on-line as online books, e-books, or e-texts for free. Just use your search engine and search away.
I know there are many, many more recent books on prayer as well, but I like the classics. Personal choice.
Get out there and get those knees dirty!
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