Miracles : Kidnapped Boy Sings Gospel Song Until His Abductor Releases Him..

Source: WSBTV



For all the believers out there, here’s something to get your day off to a good start. On March 31, at around 8:30 pm, 9 year old Willie Myrick, of Atlanta, Georgia, went outside to take care of his pet chihuahua, when he noticed a couple of dollars lying in his front yard.


Willie told Georgia ABC affiliate, WSBTV, “I was walking over here by the tree. I picked up the money and the man got out of his car and threw me in his car.”





Willie told a Georgia ABC affiliate that the man “was cursing at me telling me to shut up and didn’t want to hear a word from me. He said if I told anyone, he would hurt me, like in a bad way.”





And though we can assume that at least a part of Willie was scared, he refused to follow his kidnapper’s orders. Instead of remaining silent as he was instructed, Willie began singing Hezekiah Walker’s song “Every Praise.”





If you’re not familiar with the song, it starts “Every praise is to our God…Every word of worship with one accord.” And then “God my savior, God my healer, God my deliverer, yes He is.”






The lyrics couldn’t have been more appropriate for Willie’s story.





The fourth grader sang the song until the man, who had been driving around for nearly three hours, finally threw him out onto the street, told him not to tell anyone and drove away.





Willie knocked on several doors in East Point, asking for help. One person even turned him away before an elderly man let him call the police and his godmother. Willie was not harmed and his godmother took him to the hospital where he was examined.





Hezekiah Walker, the author and performer of the song, who also preaches at the Love Fellowship Tabernacle in New York, was so touched by Willie’s story, he made a trip to Georgia to see Myrick. Walker told the same ABC affiliate that he believes God spoke through him to save Willie’s life.





“It’s just emotional to me because you never know who you’re going to touch. I just wanted to hug him and tell him I love him.” Walker said.





The man who kidnapped Myrick, who has yet to be captured, has a $10,000 reward on his head. He’s described as a light skinned man in his mid to late twenties with dreadlocks. He was driving a gray four-door Honda Civic with no interior carpeting and an exposed metal floor. There’s a sketch of the kidnapper over at New York Daily News.





When Walker flew in, he met with Myrick, his friends, family and the whole congregation at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church for Myrick’s tenth birthday. They all sang the song together as tears rolled down Willie’s cheeks.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT DIVORCE

Bible verses related to Divorce from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 - And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband: (Read More...)

1 Corinthians 7:15 - But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us to peace.

Luke 16:18 - Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery.

1 John 2:3-4 - And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (Read More...)

Matthew 5:32 - But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 19:6 - Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Matthew 19:9 - And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Romans 7:2 - For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of [her] husband.

Matthew 19:3-9 - The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? (Read More...)

Mark 10:12 - And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

1 Corinthians 7:10 - And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:

1 Corinthians 7:10-17 - And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband: (Read More...)

Deuteronomy 24:1-22 - When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house. (Read More...)

Genesis 2:24 - Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Matthew 19:8 - He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

Malachi 2:16 - For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40 - Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman. (Read More...)

Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Matthew 19:4-6 - And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female, (Read More...)

Matthew 5:31-32 - It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: (Read More...)

1 Corinthians 7:11 - But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to [her] husband: and let not the husband put away [his] wife.

Mark 10:11 - And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

1 Peter 3:1 - Likewise, ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

Malachi 2:14-16 - Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. (Read More...)

Romans 7:3 - So then if, while [her] husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Proverbs 18:1-24 - Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom. (Read More...)

Jeremiah 3:8 - And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Jeremiah 3:1 - They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

Mark 10:11-12 - And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. (Read More...)

Matthew 19:8-9 - He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. (Read More...)

Matthew 19:3-12 - The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? (Read More...)

Matthew 19:1-30 - And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; (Read More...)

Matthew 19:1-12 - And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; (Read More...)

Ezra 10:1-16 - Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. (Read More...)

Matthew 19:3 - The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Matthew 12:25 - And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Matthew 5:31 - It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Matthew 1:18-20 - Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (Read More...)

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Isaiah 54:4 - Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 - When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house. (Read More...)

Titus 1:6 - If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

John 6:53 - Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Isaiah 50:1 - Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

Nehemiah 13:23-30 - In those days also saw I Jews [that] had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab: (Read More...)

James 2:20-24 - But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (Read More...)

1 Timothy 3:2 - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Mark 10:2-12 - And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him. 

Mark 10:2 - And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him.

Matthew 9:6-8 - But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (Read More...)

Deuteronomy 24:1-3 - When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house. 

Mark 10:4 - And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away.

Mark 10:1-12 - And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. (Read More...)

Numbers 30:9 - But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.

Exodus 21:7-11 - And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. (Read More...)

Ephesians 5:1-33 - Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

5 questions kids ask about GOD and their answers

1.Why Did God Create The World?
Answer: God created the world and everything in it because He enjoys making things and He wanted to be with us. He wanted to make us a part of His family. He created the world for us to live in and enjoy. We are like a mirror, reflecting His glory throughout the world.

2.Were There Dinosaurs on the Ark?
Answer: Most Bible experts believe dinosaurs died out before the great flood and wouldn’t have been around to put on the ark. Another reason we don’t read about dinosaurs is because the Bible is not written to tell us everything. It’s not a science book, it talks about people and God’s plan for our life.

3.Why Did God Make People?
Answer: People are different from animals because God made us like Himself. We have the ability to talk to God through prayer, to be creative and love others. People are the only part of God’s creation that can have a close relationship with Him.

4.Where Does God Live?
Answer: God's home is in Heaven, but He also desires to live within people who love Him. The Bible says that God lives in the praises of His people and it also says that where two or more are gathered in His name there He is also. When we allow the life of God to live in us it will reach out and touch the lives of people.

5.Does God Sleep Or Does He Rest?
Answer: God is not confined to a physical body like us, so He doesn't need to eat or sleep. When the Bible says God "rests," it means he stopped what He was doing. Jesus says that He must work because the Father is always working.

5 Secrets to praying more effectively

When we’re in a tough spot, we’re likely to pray more. Most people understand that prayer is important, for it is one way we can connect to God. But most people confess that they don’t pray enough.

Here are the 5 secrets to effective praying;

1.You Have to Ask (James 4:2)

It probably goes without saying that if we want God to answer our prayers, we must pray. God can certainly meet all our needs without us praying, but the Bible is clear that He wants us to ask. God insists that we pray, because He knows that when we ask, we will be more likely to give Him the glory.

2.Get Alone with God (Matthew 6:6)

Jesus taught that when we pray, we should do so in secret before God, not in public so that we’re seen by others. One of the weaknesses in the Church today is that we have abandoned this practice of getting alone with God to devote ourselves to prayer.

3. Pray with Confidence (Hebrews 4:15-16)

The author of Hebrews said that we are to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

4.Corporate Praise (Acts 4:24,31)

Praise has even greater power when it is entered into with other believers. The Early Church faced severe persecution, but when they joined their voices in praise to God, the power of God was released.

5.Pray with Humility (Luke 7:6-7)

A centurion, a Roman officer, asked Jesus to heal his servant. As important as he probably was in the community, he didn’t consider himself worthy for Jesus to come to his house. He didn’t come demanding but humbly.

Blind with no eyes, scientist amazed boy can still see (VIDEO)

Ben Underwood is the only self taught blind person in the world who saw objects by echolocation without any type of aid. Ben is blind! Ben lost his sight at the age of three, and after numerous surgeries, chemo, and radiation treatments failed, Ben's mother Aquanetta Gordon was faced with a decision no mother would want to make.


CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO 





Because there were still traces of the cancer left, and if doctors didn't remove his eyes he might not have lived. The decision was made, and Ben's eyes were removed. Ben's mother never let him believe from the time he came out of surgery, to this present day he couldn't see.

At the age of seven, Ben began to click. He learned to bounce his clicks off objects around him to give him a clearer image of the object. Ben has learned to skate, ride a bike, plays basketball, and even video games.

Dr. James Reuben, Ben's eye doctor was astounded the first time he met Ben. Dr. Reuben was so impressed with Ben's abilities he contacted the local press. Ben's

sonar capability is similar to that of a submarine. Sonar operators are taught what Ben has taught himself.

Scientist at the University of Santa Barbara amazed with Ben's abilities invited him to the campus to see if they can find out how Ben navigates with a faint signal.

Ben's mother realized how exceptional her child was when she sent him to a school for the blind.




When Ben's mother relocated to give 14 year old Ben a better life, he had to relearn the dimensions of his new home, and the route to school along with the route to his karate class. Ben refuses to use a cane or guide dog.

Daniel Kish who has lost his sight like Ben at a young age to cancer, uses echolocation along with a cane, and teaches the blind how to access the world. Considered an expert Ben's mother sought out his help in order to help Ben to further his independence in the world.




Ben, like any other teenage boy craves his independence. Ben's first experience with blind people left a bad taste in his mouth, which took some time for him to believe that the blind people in Daniel Kish's group were different, and that it was even possible for him to lean something from another blind person who uses a cane.

Ben's cancer was in check until 2007, when he developed a tumor in his sinus cavity. Intensive treatment failed to knock down the disease. Aquanetta Gordon knew that her remarkable son's life on Earth soon would be over. As his life slipped away she got help from hospice nurses, family members and friends.




Ben built an enduring legacy after his story became public in The Bee in May 2006. He became a worldwide celebrity, an Internet sensation and an inspirational speaker.

A boy who touched the world of science, who will never be forgotten

3,800-year-old biblical fortress discovered in City of David-ANOTHER PROOF BY SCIENCE THAT BIBLE IS REAL!

Archaeologists finish a 15-year-long excavation of the "Spring Citadel" dating back to the time of Kings David and Solomon.




The 3,800-year-old “Spring Citadel” was excavated in the City of David National Park by dozens of researchers led by Prof.






After a 15-year-long excavation defined as one of the the most complex ever conducted in Israel, archaeologists have finished uncovering a massive Canaanite fortress dating back to the time of Kings David and Solomon. The 3,800-year-old “Spring Citadel” was excavated in the City of David National Park by dozens of researchers led by Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa and Eli Shukrun of the Israel Antiquities Authority. ”The Spring Citadel was built in order to save and protect the water of the city from enemies coming to conquer it, as well as to protect the people going down to the spring to get water and bring it back up to the city,” said Director of Development in the City of David, Oriya Dasberg



Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa and Eli Shukrun of the Antiquities Authority.

“The Spring Citadel was built in order to save and protect the water of the city from enemies coming to conquer it, as well as to protect the people going down to the spring to get water and bring it back up to the city,” said the director of development in the City of David, Oriya Dasberg.

The citadel is believed to have protected the Gihon spring, described in the Book of Kings as the location of King Solomon’s anointing.

The Spring Citadel is the largest Canaanite fortress yet discovered in Israel, and is believed to be the largest known fortress predating the reign of King Herod, according to the Antiquities Authority.

The fully excavated site has reopened to the public and will offer fuller access to visitors who wish to explore a piece of biblical history.

Love your mom, this is sad and may make you cry - Must watch

I think the sacrifices made were acts of love. Children don't sometimes understand what a parent or grandparent or anyone that does good for them and care about them in this world really mean to them. Some may be thankful, but, on the whole, most don't realize until they have gone out into the working world or maybe just have a family of their own. Let us wake up before it's too late to let them know how thankful we are for them being there. A lot of sleepless nights and worried days were spent for them, asking God to keep them safe and secure. If they only knew or know how they are always in our hearts and on our minds.

QUESTION: Why does God give more gifts and talents to some than he does to others?

ANSWER: When someone believes on the Lord Jesus Christ…so many things happen. That person is forgiven of all sins, sanctified, made righteousness, indwelt with the Holy Spirit, given eternal life, becomes a child of God, and is added to the church, being made a member of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” As in a natural body, each member of the body of Christ has a role to play. God, in His wisdom and sovereign will, has placed each believer into the body of Christ with a role according to His perfect purpose. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:14-23, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.” All members of the body of Christ play an important role and can honor and serve the Lord according to His leading.

In order to serve Him and minister to others, the Lord has given gifts to the church. We learn in Ephesians 4:7 that, “…every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” We learn the purpose of these gifts in Ephesians 4:12-16, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Some of the gifts given are mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 and in Romans 12:6-8. We learn in 1 Corinthians 12:6 that, “…there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” So, we see there are different manifestations of the Spirit in the believer in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. I encourage you to read this portion.

It is the Lord’s solemn right to equip the church so that it might function properly. We do not earn our gift, that’s a contradiction of what a gift is. A gift is given, not earned. We are told in 1 Corinthians 12:31 to, “…covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” As believers, we should desire to have the best gifts in order to serve the Lord. Our desire should not be to have a gift that would bring attention to ourselves. Remember, the gifts are for the benefit of the body of Christ, they are not for personal gratification or glory. What is this ‘more excellent way?’ The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians shows us that love is the more excellent way. We can’t truly serve the Lord and minister to others without the love of Christ ruling our lives. We read later in 1 Corinthians 14:12, “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” We’re told here that our focus should not so much be on what gift or gifts we might have. Our focus should be on edifying, or building up, the church.

Perhaps you have one gift; perhaps you have 10 gifts. It is the Lord that has given you those gifts, so you are responsible to Him to develop and use those gifts according to His leading. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:14, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee…” He was telling Timothy to take this gift seriously so that he might develop and use it for God’s glory.

Are you a believer on the Lord Jesus Christ? If so, you have a gift, or possibly many gifts. Be faithful to the Lord to learn to use your gifts under His direction. Don’t worry about what gifts others may have. Don’t forget the ‘more excellent way’. Show the love of the Lord to everyone, so that your ministry for the Lord might be effective.

Before he was Pope Francis - he was a nightclub bouncer

Before he was Pope Francis - he was a nightclub bouncer

VIA=> Times LIVE


Pope Francis. File photo
Image by: TONY GENTILE / REUTERS

It may come as a surprise to many, but Pope Francis has recently revealed that he was once a nightclub bouncer



According to Mail Online, the 76-year-old head of the Catholic church revealed his past as he informally chatted with parishioners when he visited a church in a working-class neighbourhood in Rome.

He later taught literature and psychology.

The 266th pope is a fan of the passionate tango dance and had a girlfriend he danced with before he became a priest, Gazetta Del Sudreported.

Ten Guidelines for Effective Prayer-MUST READ

Guideline 1. Effective prayer is based on the revealed word of God.

Because all the scriptures are fulfilled in Christ and help to form our lives in Christlikeness, praying appropriately chosen words of scripture is one effective way to pray. But whether we use the Bible's words or our own words, our prayers should be consistent with the purposes and promises of God as they are revealed in the Bible. Luke 24:44-49; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Ephesians 6:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17.

Guideline 2. Effective prayer is grounded in our faith in the reign of God.

Jesus’ basic gospel was that the reign of God is at hand (available to us) if we will repent and believe the good news. Jesus’ miracles revealed the kingdom’s presence. Answers to our prayers also demonstrate the kingdom’s presence. We are to pray with confidence that God is in charge and is prepared to answer faithful prayers. Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 12:28; Luke 7:20-23.

Guideline 3. Effective prayer is directed toward making the reign of God visible.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” He taught us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” trusting that all our needs would be fulfilled as the kingdom takes first place in our lives. We are commanded to make the kingdom visible in our ministries, and we are blessed by the results. Matthew 6:10, 33; Luke 10:1-12, 23-24.

Guideline 4. Effective prayer is “in the name of Jesus.”

“In the name of Jesus” is more than a verbal formula tacked onto the end of our prayers. It means that the request is offered with the intent that it be found fitting to Jesus’ compassionate character and redeeming, reconciling mission. We pray in the name of Jesus because we are his ambassadors in this world, already speaking and acting as his representatives. John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24; Acts 3:16; 4:8-12; 16:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Ephesians 4:32—5:2; 5:18-21; Colossians 3:12-17.

Guideline 5. Effective prayer begins with seeking the Holy Spirit.

God wants to give us good gifts. The very best gift that he can give us is his loving, purifying, guiding, and empowering presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus instructs us to ask, seek, and knock fr this gift. When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to pray. When we cannot put our prayers into sensible words, the Holy Spirit will carry the sense of our unintelligible groanings to the throne of God. Luke 11:9-13; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:17-18.

Guideline 6. Effective prayer is offered from purified hearts.

James notes that sometimes we do not have because we have not asked, and sometimes we do not have because we have asked wrongly to spend the answer on our own passions, our own desires that flow from divided hearts. We cannot be wavering between godly solutions and ungodly solutions and expect that our prayers will be answered. James counsels us to purify our hearts, to get single minds about our trust in God and his wisdom. James 3:13—4:10.

Guideline 7. Effective prayer is offered in the context of the community of faith.

When two or three of us gather in the name of Jesus for the sake of his mission and agree in prayer, based on the leading of the Holy Spirit, the effect of the prayer is powerful. Since significant agreement among any group of human beings does not come easily, the mere fact of agreement sometimes is evidence that we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Consistent with Guidelines 5 and 6, we must be sure that our agreement flows fron the Holy Spirit and not from the spirit of this world. Matthew 18:19-20; James 5:13-18.

Guideline 8. Effective prayer persists.

This is not to say that we need to treat God as an unrighteous judge that we must wear down with our constant pleading. The point is that, if an unrighteous judge can be worn down by repeated pleadings, then God who is already favorably disposed toward the good of his children can be trusted not to forget our needs. We can wait with confidence that our prayers will be answered in the right time and in the right way. We may wish to check back in from time to time to reaffirm our faith in what we have asked and to continue to listen to see if God would redirect our prayer in some way. In the end, even if we must wait through this life, we want to be found still trusting the goodness of God and his power to answer our prayer in the best possible way. Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8. 

Guideline 9. Effective prayer puts its faith in God and not in our own faith.

It is not the quantity of our faith, but the fact that we are willing to put whatever faith we have into play that counts. Even faith as small as a grain of mustard seed will suffice when we take our stand on it. Mark 9:14-29; Luke 17:5-6.

Guideline 10. Effective prayer is something that any believer can do.

Some people may have special spiritual gifts for intercession, healing, miracles, etc. But all Christians can pray effectively. None of us are experts at prayer. All of us will have some learning moments in prayer. But not one of us is excluded from lifting up the concerns of people in need before the throne of God. The key point is that there is no insufficiency in God’s love, grace, power, or wisdom, and that is what determines the results.  Therefore, all of us may pray effectively. Just do it. Philippians 4:4-7; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 2:1-7.

Inspiring picture messages for everyone

5 Scripture Based Prayers for Your Child

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

He looks at me with a “heels dug in” kind of glare. I know if I said, “The sky is blue on a sunny day,” he would try to prove me wrong.

Sometimes, I don’t feel like we’re on the same team anymore, my son and I, and

it breaks my heart.

On days like today, when he’s arguing with everything I say and trying his 8-year-old best to do things his way, it seems I’m fighting against him — like there’s a war going on in my house between me and my son — a distance between us I want to bridge no matter the cost.

I know from my education that this process of differentiation is pretty normal. Boys ache for independence from mama and feel ready to “boldly go where no man has gone before.” They want to be strong, assert their opinions and explore their own ideas.

Unfortunately, at my house, we’re currently living in the in-between season, where ideas abound before my son is mature enough to handle the responsibilities that go along with them.

And so we butt heads.

Sometimes, I’m tempted to let our circumstances tell me my son is the enemy — he’s the one I’m fighting. But then I remember Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

When the days of mothering grow long and make a girl weary, and when what you really want to do is lock your son in his room and throw away the key, it’s good to remember this:

Your son is not your enemy. But there is an enemy.

That’s right. Our sons have a real enemy, one that wants to steal, kill and destroy them (John 10:10). Thankfully that enemy, according to the Word of God, has an opponent who’s a force to be reckoned with.

You.

And me. And all moms who are willing to get on their knees and cry out for the hearts of their sons. James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” (The Message).

The best way we can enter the battle for our sons is on our knees, so let’s start fighting for them right now. Here are five powerful prayers you can use today to fight for the heart of your son:

1. Create in my son a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within him (Psalm 51:10).

2. May my son walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You (Deuteronomy 13:4).

3. May my son be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, our God, who goes with him. You will never leave him or forsake him (Deuteronomy 31:6).

4. May my son walk before You, God, as King David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that You have commanded him, and keeping Your statutes and rules (1 Kings 9:4).

5. Like Timothy, may my son be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the tools of Your Word and prayer to fight the battle for our sons’ hearts. Help me see who our real enemy is when we are in a conflict. May You be glorified in all I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.