On Sunday morning, now that the holidays are over, we are back to CPR (Christian Philosophy of Relationship). The ten principles of CPR flow as follows:
Full satisfaction, identification, and safety in Christ alone
A secondary social need of others, but not an ultimate need
Following Christ in the pattern of "my life for yours"
Obedient love and service to the person but ultimately unto the Lord, by faith, for his glory, with expectation of reward only from him
The goal of leading to Christ
Focused prayer
Growth in understanding and enjoyment
No judgment, condemnation, vengeance, or attempts to control, but only overflowing mercy to a fellow sinner
Perfect patience and total forgiveness
Healthy boundaries
It has been my burden to show how each of these principles is firmly rooted in Scripture and how they all interrelate and uphold each other. This short post is focused on Principle #6, Focused Prayer.
If we are going to call one of our relationships a Christian relationship, it must include focused prayer. Focused prayer is like regular prayer on steroids. It happens when you are zone in on the presence, power, and love of Christ and then you also zone in on the person you are praying for. It is intense and can be very laborious. It is not the utterances of a few religious words ("please bless Rachel and give her a good day"). It goes much further than that, delving into the details of the person's life while very much conscious of God's presence and power to change that person's life.
Consider the verses below and ask yourself if you are really praying for people.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
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.
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.
Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.