Prayer, Why it is So Extremely Important

The Practice of Prayer
by
Moonjang Lee

It is commonsense to say that prayer is crucial in the Christian life. Prayer is a must for anyone in ministry. Ministry without a consistent and deep prayer life will be misery. Strangely, however, it is not easy to meet with men and women of prayer in most Christian circles today. The rhetoric on prayer or prayer life abounds, but the culture of prayer seems to be deteriorating. How can we restore the habit of prayer in Christian life and in ministry? I personally think that widespread spiritual ignorance is the main culprit for our laxity in prayer life. The way we Christians perceive the world has become blurred, and we do not seem to realize what is going on in the spiritual domain. So we have to be awakened to the satanic reality which has deeply permeated the fabric of our earthly lives. If we look closely into our inner life, we will be surprised to find that we carry so many ungodly things in our heart and mind which affect negatively the way we think, speak and behave. Many of our families are dysfunctional. We hear stories of violence and conflict in the regional and global context every day. In essence, we live in a dysfunctional world, i.e., a fallen world. People are victimized by all kinds of satanic attacks on every front. Our lives could hardly be characterized by glory, holiness, power and freedom in Christ; rather, we are subjected to all forms of satanic bondage and oppression: hatred, depression, misunderstanding, sensuality, pride, fear, worry, diseases, divorce, conflicts, wars and many others. We are reminded every day that we exist not in the heavenly reality, but in the satanic reality.
Our life on earth is to be characterized as a good fight against the presence of this reality. If we really perceive the satanic reality as the cause of all sorrows (individual, familial, societal and global) in this fallen world, we may have a divine anger towards the evil power operating in our midst. If we really see that our fight is “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” we will be filled with a sense of God’s mission to “stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). If we see clearly who our adversary is, then how can we not pray to the almighty God, our heavenly father?
We need to pray to fight against ourselves to purify our heart, and to rescue ourselves from the rules of the flesh. Our struggle is to grow spiritually to be like Jesus Christ. Our aim in life is to restore the image of Christ in us. With¬out prayer, this fight against our flesh cannot be won. We also need to pray to help others be freed from satanic bondage. To function spiritually, pastors should become prayer warriors, because the nature of their job is spiritual. Pastors should go into a deep prayer life if they really want to rescue people from the devil’s schemes in their everyday lives. Some pastors talk about prayer as the key to church revival. That is not wrong all together. However, pastors should not consider prayer merely as a tool for church growth or a successful, powerful ministry. Pastors should spend many hours a day in prayer in God’s presence because they become troubled in their soul to see the pain and to hear the inner cries of their church members. If pastors are not troubled in their soul, they are in real trouble!
Let me share a few practical tips to restore our habit of prayer. First, we need to cultivate the habit of converting all our thoughts (monologues) into a dialogue with God. We may have to stop thinking and start talking to/with God in all circumstances. If we admit that God is here with us and hears even our meditations, we cannot ignore Him in our thoughts. At first, we may feel that we are talking to God without getting any response from Him, but as we continue talking to/with God, a real dialogue can happen.
Second, we need to cultivate the habit of asking God whenever we are to make a choice–big or small. God is the best counselor and it would be most natural for us to ask the all-knowing God for everything in our daily walk. We have to practice what’s written in Proverbs 3:5-6a: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him.” If God is real in our lives, our dependence on God should also be real.
Third, we need to cultivate the habit of spending regular hour(s) every day for private prayer. We know that professional golfers practice at minimum two to three hours a day to remain competitive in their games. Unless we maintain a few hours in prayer daily, our ministry cannot be competi¬tive in the spiritual battleground.

Moonjang Lee, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of World Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.




Here again is one of the most interesting articles on prayer that I have ever read! Although it is geared to those in ministry, I decided to post it again for anyone struggling in their prayer life and is questioning the severe necessity of prayer. I think this article will do the trick to snapping you our of your stupor. Read more...

A Cancer in The Christian World

Because the carnal state of sinful man is always craving things of the flesh.The unregenerate nature of humans is never satisfied with things of the Spirit of God instead it seeks satisfaction with the physical world of materialism and human happiness. It isn't until people are made new in Christ Jesus, the crucifixion of self takes place and the mortification of sin begins, that the fulfillment of the "old man" ceases and the "new man" begins its life.


The Prosperity Gospel Spreading Like a Disease --- One way to build a ministry is by telling people what they want to hear: "You'll be rich and happy if you follow God". Why is this so? Read more...

Exposed: Talking about anything EXCEPT the Gospel

He doesn't BELIEVE IT!!! If you watch the clip he is accused of preaching about money or being a "prosperity preacher" or whatever -anyway the fact is: if he preached Christ and Him crucified he wouldn't be accused of anything of the sort. Jakes instead believes if you preach to people about their issues and give people therapeutic religious advise using biblical scripture references, or make movies, etc. that this will improve peoples outlook. However, therapy- even "church therapy", economic advise, or a motivational sermonette, can't regenerate the spiritually dead nature of humans. Take this little tidbit from Jesus Himself Mr. Jakes: "they must be Born Again".


Men Should First be Led to Christ Not to Economic Relief
Listen as T.D. Jakes blathers on about the economy, a movie he made, getting blessings, and how he is not a prosperity preacher, something about the president, the third world, etc, etc. He says nothing about the Gospel and its hope. The reason he doesn't say anything about the Gospel of Jesus Christ as being the true solution to sinful mankind- and instead rambles on about a booming economy is because... Read more...

Precious-A Movie Review: Why Only The Gospel of Jesus Christ Can Save Humans

his condition is: “dead in trespasses and sin”. The movie Precious by director Lee Daniel, gives a look into the heart of humans, which the prophet Jeremiah says, is “desperately wicked”. This movie shows what many refuse to believe which is: how vile, dark and diseased with iniquity the human mind is; and that only a divine renewal by the Holy Spirit can rescue a creature that is in fact not only in darkness but “darkness itself”(Ephesians 5:8). As you watch this movie you realize just how evil the unregenerate nature of man is. In this film you witness a mother severely abuse a child in a bone chilling fashion. The child is emotionally abused, sexually abused, and physically abused. Which leads to the question: how horrible can man be? God reveals the answer when He speaks to the condition of our species. In the book of Genesis, in the sixth chapter, after the fall and before the flood- it states: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil continually and it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth and it grieved him at his heart. The solution is something that is not natural but supernatural in fact it divine intervention. The Gospel then is the good news because it provides man with the only option of being a new creation rather than a rehabilitated and cleaned up sinner. The divine intervention through the death of Christ, provides the defeat of the captivity of sin that men and women are trapped under. His resurrection provides the reality of the power that is given to all who believe and the new life in the Spirit is evidence that we are His and He lives in us.

How people will treat other humans- even if they are related
--Man by nature is born in sin and is, as the Swiss theologian John Calvin states, “Totally Depraved”. He cannot improve his nature because Read more...

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the world that we live in is caught up in life in the here and now in this life and thoughts of the future are no where in sight. Regardless where you fit in on the issue of the rapture, Christ is coming back! Believers are nevertheless unconcerned about the lost, holiness and preparation for God's kingdom. However this is vital- as Christ points out: "unless ye repent you shall likewise perish in your sins."


Unfortunately most people including so called "church goers" are neither prepared nor do they have any intrest in the fact that Jesus Christ will return. This is because Read more...

Iran A Center of Persecution For Many

killed by a government that is oppressive and evil. We as believers have a great work to do in spending time and in prayer for our brothers and sisters that live under a regime that continues to be a thorn in the flesh of the Church of Jesus Christ. We must do what we can to get our leaders and politicians to take notice of the great human rights violations that are being imposed on the Iranian people for following The Lord Jesus.

Please pray for Iranians as many are being persecuted, tortured and Read more...

Samoan Tsunami Relief Effort

Get the clothing to our church before 12:00 Noon on Wednesday October 7 2009.


We are doing what we can to help our Samoan neighbors in Carson who have relatives in Samoa who were affected by the recent disaster. Relief efforts for Samoan Tsunami are under way and our church is partnering with our neighboring church in Carson, the Samoan Congregational Church, to get clothes and supplies to them as soon as possible. So if you have any donations please Read more...

Be a Disciple and Follow Jesus ? But How?

Those are good questions because it has always been challenging in the area of making disciples in our church. This leads me to believe that in order to see the dynamics of this issue is to come to grips with the fact that we need to make extreme changes in how we see and think on what it means to follow Christ. Many people think that joining a church, going to a worship service or committing to a small group or serving in a position at some capacity means that you are a follower of Christ. However it is more than that. CLICK HERE and you will read a great article about discipleship.



What does it mean to follow Christ? What does it mean to be His disciple? How is commitment lived out? Read more...

Government Takes The Church Property- The last days.

This church took a stand and stood by biblical scripture and broke away from the liberal wing of the Episcopal Church and now must surrender it's property. The True Church of Jesus Christ, is now in a time when it will have to make a decision to stand by the word of God and suffer, or go along with a culture that is anything but Godly. Always keep in mind: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12 CLICK HERE TO READ FULL STORY

Government orders church to hand over worship facilities because it refuses to agree with same-sex marriages and recognize active homosexual monogamous relationships. Read more...

Ol' School Sunday School

participated in making the Sunday School program a success! Much appreciation to Adoram and Pastor Power as well as Morning Star Baptist Churches. Special thanks to our new folk who got in on the action too! Sis. Janice made her debut as well Corla coming thorough on a last minute reading that went great! Also thanks to the vets Sis Jenkins and Sis. Tabitha Diane Harrison Whitaker daughter of ….oh you know the rest, as well as a host of others! The service went well with great preaching from Rev. Colmore and the Kids sung their hearts out! I was tired but thrilled and blessed! Oh I almost forgot I will try and get the new pictures up as soon as possible-hopefully by Wednesday- so everyone hold tight !
Love to all
Pastor Paul.


We had a great program on a wonderful fall afternoon service. Thanks again to all of our folk who Read more...

Catering To The Consumer Rather Than God

The congregation where God is meeting with His people should bring conviction and a sense of awe -if those who are strangers to the gospel, congregate with His covenant people, who are there to feed from the word of God. Therefore the church looks different because it is different. As His people, the church, lifts up songs and praise that are pleasing to God -as His word is spoken to us through a vessel known as the Pastor. God then is pleased and worship is authentic. Therefore the service should appeal to God rather than human beings. This is what is important- as He meets with us as believers, each week in big and small places revealing the person and work of Christ that is served to us in the message of the Gospel. Those who are visitors are welcomed and loved as they too witness the message of God and experience how worship is given to Him as we welcome them in love and joy. Music can be culturally sensitive and various styles can be incorporated to reach our hearts with gladness and uplifting moods of joy. However the church worship service should never be changed to make humans who are un-saved more at ease with the God of creation who is a consuming fire. For we are apart of His story of redemption through Jesus Christ and we change for Him for He states: "Behold I am God and I change not"




The worship of God, to the natural man, should feel different to an individual as he or she enters the congregation of God's church. That is because Read more...

Welcome to the new folks!

We are definitely glad to have you as members of our fellowship and we believe that you are and will be a great asset to the Kingdom of God -as well as our local congregation. I know God has great things ahead for you as instruments for the advancement of His work and for the edification of body of Christ! I truly believe in the importance of church membership -it is what is biblical for believers that claim to be members of the body of Christ. Many in American society and western culture have an individualistic attitude, however American culture takes a back seat to biblical mandates as outlined in the word of God. Scripture not our feelings are preeminent. The Necessity of Church membership (Click Here and Read!)

I want to welcome some more new members to our church that joined this week and say blessings and whole lotta love from me and all the members of the church! Read more...