It's another day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today was another day of fellowship and worship with my fellow brothers and sisters at Faith & Love Center. We offered praise to our majestic Father in heaven, and also received a great Word from the LORD. If you didn't know I, recently started teaching the adult sunday school class at my church. I have taught sunday school many times, but only to teenagers and young children. So you can imagine how nervous I was facing a crowd where the average age is probably around 45 years old. I'm only 27! I found myself shaking and jingling my change in my pocket just to try to keep still. But thank God for the Holy Spirit who comforts me, and gave me strength to get through the class! This week, we discussed prayer and how much God desires to answer our prayers (Luke 11:5-13). Jesus has just explained to the disciples, in what manner they should pray. He then went on to tell them a parable that referred to the fact that God desires to uphold his great name, granting the request of those who fervently seek Him. During my studying for class, I wondered how many times I completely bypass the "seek ye first the kingdom of God" mandate in Matthew 6:33, and go straight to asking God for a new car and a new job. When I pray in that manner, my prayer is in no way genuine. I set myself up for my prayer to reach as far as my voice will allow and fall limp to the ground! LORD forgive me for not seeking your will in my prayer! God wants us to have COMPLETE access to Him. He will only answer our prayers when:

1. We obey Him (1 John 3:22)
2. We confess our sins (Psalm 66:18)
3. We abide in Christ (John 15:7)
4. Ask according to God's will (1 John 5:14)
5. Ask in faith (Mark 11:24)
6. Have pure motives (James 4:3)

MAN! I fail a couple of these from time to time. LORD forgive me! But I thank God for his saving grace, and for Him continuing to reveal Himself to me in my prayer life and during my study time. My desire should always be to become closer to my heavenly Father in prayer. I will strive to obey, confess my sins, and to abide in Christ everyday. I will pray according to God's will, pray in faith, and have pure motives in my daily communication with God. Thank you God for granting me the opportunity to have constant and open prayer with you. I desire to be closer to You.

WES aka TEDDY P