How God Brings Unity Through Prayer
The Power of Prayer
By Karen McNary – BSF Director of Global Cultural Engagement and Community
Political unrest. COVID. Natural disasters. Economic uncertainty. Church splits. Divisive issues are limitless. While the specifics may differ in each culture, none of this is new to God. We discover this truth while reading Israel’s history. In BSF’s study, People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided, God’s people failed to follow His commands individually and collectively. Rather than be a blessing to the nations, they found themselves in a chaotic, divided kingdom.
The reason for our turmoil today is the same — sin. So is the solution — prayer. God states this clearly in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
God knew His people would fail, sin, and disobey Him. And in His goodness, He offers us the way back. Despite present circumstances, God can and will unite His people when we humble ourselves and pray.
How should we pray?
Early in my Christian life I found prayer challenging. In my experience, it was done by a gifted church member who prayed extemporaneously and sounded like a beautifully written psalm. Then there was prayer before meals and before bed. For me, this was a perfunctory monologue rather than a heartfelt dialogue.
But I’ve come to realize that prayer is talking with God about any and everything, both personally and corporately. When God’s people speak to Him in prayer, He responds. God still speaks primarily through the Bible, though sometimes He also may also use circumstances or people.
Prayer is as unique as the individuals who are praying. Prayer takes on many forms, from liturgical to extemporaneous, and we will not always be uniform in how we pray. Why we pray differs as well. Throughout Scripture we see prayers for guidance, lament, wisdom, praise, and many others. Each prayer has its own unique posture. In 2 Chronicles 14:11, Asa prayed in desperation, in 1 Kings 18:37, Elijah prayed in expectation, and in Lamentations, the author composed prayers through poetry. Though their method of prayer was diverse, God’s people were, and are, united in their need to pray to the one true God of heaven and earth.
What happens when we don’t pray?
A verse from the hymn What A Friend We Have in Jesus sums it up nicely:
“What peace we often forfeit, what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”
In 1 Kings 12, we read about the painful consequences of neglecting to seek God in prayer. King Solomon’s son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. Faced with potential rebellion, Rehoboam consulted the elders and then his peers, but he neglected to pray. Following the advice he wanted to hear, Rehoboam pushed the nation of Israel into rebellion. The people rebelled and claimed Jeroboam as their king, dividing Israel into two kingdoms; the northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Tragically, Jeroboam also neglected to pray. This led both nations down a dark path for generations.
Two kings. Two nations. No prayer. No peace. Could this pattern be said of Christians today? Lack of prayer has personal and corporate implications.
Corporate prayer unites God’s people
Years later, King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced a national crisis. After years of peace, several neighboring countries prepared to attack. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 records, “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.”
Jehoshaphat’s first response was prayer, and together, the people united before the Lord. While I am sure they were divided in how to respond to the national crisis, prayer united hearts to God and to each other. He sought the Lord first, the nation prayed, and God won the battle. I wonder how many outcomes would differ, and how many hearts would unite if this was the normal response of Christians to crises? God blesses unity.
Individual prayer promotes unity
As both faithful and rebellious kings reigned in Israel and Judah, God sent prophets to speak on His behalf. These prophets were faithful men who continued to share God’s truth. They preached salvation and unity for those who would repent and turn to God. Despite their message of hope, they were despised and hunted. How did they persevere? These men prayed. Through prayer, their hearts remained tender toward God’s people.
When division threatens God’s people today, we can pray for one another. Through individual prayer for others, even those we disagree with, God softens our hearts and gives us renewed patience.
Prayer matters because we live in a fallen world where sin affects every aspect of life. But Christians have a powerful weapon which is often underutilized. Each of us has a choice. We can continue trying to repair our divided “kingdoms” today on our own or humble ourselves and pray. May we be a people that come together to seek the Lord united through prayer.
Karen McNary
Director of Global Cultural Engagement and Community
Karen served as a Children’s Leader, Substitute Teaching Leader, Teaching Leader, Area Personnel and most recently as a Skills Coach for BSF prior to joining the staff in April 2021. She is originally from Louisville, Ky. and for the past 20 years has called Charlotte, N.C. home. She has been married to her husband, Keith, for 27 years. They have three sons who attended the BSF Student Program.
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thank you for reminding us that we have this wonderful gift to talk to our God. He listens. what a blessing that He sent His Holly Spirit to help us see His way.
What a friend we have in Jesus!…
What do you do with a human friend? Then how about a friend in God Himself!? Lord teach us to take full advantage of your genuine love and follow your footsteps.
Thank you for this timely message. I took the class and remembered all of your examples. Sometimes a simple reminder is all that’s needed at a rough time.Again thank you so much.God Bless.
Thank you for sharing Words of Wisdom and God’s Love…
awesome
This was wonderful, simple, yet powerful words, what a great to put it, thank you for such a great reminder about prayer!
Thank you! When our eyes are on God we can see others! Your writing style is true, succient, humble and powerful.
Thank you, there are so many needs today, I struggle, I feel I do not pray enough and the right way. I appreciate your words and insight. I need to remember God knows my heart, and as I jump around in prayer He hears.
I like this teaching on prayer.
Love this recap of the divided kingdom, its people and how it applies to our lives today. I pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 every day. God has given us this land and we’re so blessed to be living in it. Unfortunately, sin is ruining it and it’s young minds. BUT GOD….. our hope is only in Him! Thank you so much for posting this article, Karen.
BSF this year is a momentous gift to my soul. The method of enlightenment through the teachings yields clarity to these stories of old. Historically it had been very difficult for me to grasp the concepts in Kings. Now my heart, mind and soul grasps the teachings in ways I never grasped before. God’s blessings upon all those so pivotal in the authoring of Kingdom Divided. 🙏🏾
Amen
I am reminded of the song why worry just pray.
Jesus was constantly in prayer .
He teaches us continually to seek him with all our hearts and we will be found by Him.
Thank you Karen. This is so deep and inspiring for me considering all the happenings in my country Nigeria 🇳🇬, we will continue to seek God in prayers because He’s the King of all nations.
Thanks U. I will be looking forward to reading encouraging blessings word.
Hello Karen..I’m a GL from India..thank you for this blog on prayer..yes indeed..what peace we often forfeit because we do not take it to God in prayer..a world of turmoil..yes even politically..God save us and help us and give us peace.
Beautifully said. Thank you.
I have so often heard other Christians lament about how much they hate studying the Old Testament. It saddens me every time. The lessons we learn from study of the Old Testament are as timely today as ever. To gain a deeper understanding of Our Father the books of the Old Testament are absolutely Essential Reading.
Karen,
Thank you for this reminder how important and powerful prayer is. Many times I struggle to pray.
Blessings to you.
Every week my BSF group engages in political discussion. Is there a policy against this? Is there a way I can steer discussion away from this?
Hi Mark,
We do ask that our discussion groups avoid partisan discussions which would be supporting or criticizing political parties/members. We also realize some topics are biblical, but have become politicized. As a bible study, we don’t avoid hard truths or topics that rise from the passage we’re studying. Without knowing more details, I suggest talking with your group leader or teaching leader.
This is all so true!!! When one is no longer fearful of exposing the need at large to our heavenly father, His blessing not only is reveal in that season but God’s mighty will is accomplished through our faithfulness in trusting Him through our walking in prayer unto Him! Amen and thank you for sharing this! Prayer is everything and powerful.
Thank you Karen for this timely and well written blog. You have encouraged me. Hugs!
Amen Karen! Thanking God for message He gave you to share. Thanking God that He orchestrated my life in such a way that prayer has been a part of it from a child. Reminds me of some lyrics from a song ” Been walking with Jesus a long time – praying a long time- I’m not tired yet!”
I pray, talk of prayer and tell other’s how important it is all the time. Then I read this, realize I need to humble myself, I have been praying, but not giving my full heart and needs that are heavy on my heart to my Father. I need to come and trust Him fully. I ask for you to pray that I do this the first thing daily, so I can serve him fully. Thank you!
I’m new to this site and it was helpful we all need to pray and pray for each other power in unity
Really it’s very interesting and helpful.Please pray for me to persevere in prayer and use the powerful weapon God give me. Blessings
Excellent remarks – renews my interest in prayer and encouraging others to pray, especially for our country
Thank you for reminding me of the importance of prayers.Please pray for me to go back to prayers and be excited to meet with God
Pray sent for this request, James.
Thank you Karen, for your powerful message on prayer. You are an inspiration, and I pray I continue to develop my daily prayer time and communications with God and truly become a prayer warrior. God bless you and be with you and your family always
Thank you so much for todays message it was timely. have a Blessed day Karen McNary.
Thanks so much for this. It encourages me to continue to pray and cry out to Our Heavenly Father for help , peace, and all I need to Serve Him
Karen, thank you so much for your wisdom on prayer and how it fosters unity . . . the challenge is received.
Karen, this was beautifully written! It really made me stop & think about underutilized my prayer-power is. Thank you so much for waking me up!!!
Great reflection on prayer.
Thank you for this message of Prayer, I have prayed for our leaders for wisdom and grace etc., but I never thought about prayer for our leaders to stay faithful to God, not to waiver , even to stay pure. Solomon loved 700 wives that had to have been a divided household, on so many levels. Firstly, on the spiritual level that was most important , but also on an emotional, physical and mental level. This also shows us that our sin (unconfessed) can reach and teach the next generation (as David had many wives).
Prayer does matter in this fallen world, this has encouraged me to be more mindful about our underutilized weapon. Thank you again.
I have attended a local BSF group, for the past seven years before changing to an online class available from this same BSF group three years ago. Given my age and health conditions, I am so very thankful to be able to continue in BSF via online opportunities.
Question: I have received the Divided Kingdom study book. However, I am not able to access the Lectures online.
Until this year, I logged into mybsf.org and got the lectures and all other available materials.
Can you help figure out how to again access the Lectures on both my desk top computer and IPad ?
Hello Teresa! good question. If you are in a BSF Online group, you will access your lectures via your BSF Online account rather than mybsf.org. I would recommend reaching out to your group leader for help accessing your lectures or using the “ask for help” button on mybsf.org or BSF Online.
Did you get a response? Is problem fixed? I have same issue as yours.
Hi Mary, Please contact member/tech support using the app or mybsf.org. Find a “need help” or “submit questions” button on either platform and we can help you figure out your account. Thank you!
Thanks for you respond but I don’t use app for BSF. So cannot help, right?
Have you logged into mybsf.org? There is also a support button on that platform.
Prayer is so important today. Constantly praying whether it be adoration, confession thanksgiving, or supplication.
Love this blog! Wonderful reminder about importance of prayer!
We must know the Word and the presence of God and take captive our thoughts living in unity for His glory
I have a question. Last week I signed up for BSF and have not heard back, wondering if I should show up for the meeting tomorrow evening or should I wait for someone to get back to me?
JoAnn – was this issue resolved? To contact your class administrator you can go to: https://join.bsfinternational.org/ and search your group. I hope you were able to connect with someone in your group!
This is a beautiful article on my prayer. I have been in BSF for nine years, and when I first started, I didn’t pray; I memorized words that I heard others recite. I wanted to know Abba’s Father for myself, and I prayed to Father to help me to know you. Not only a hit-and-miss conversation but a sincere reverence one on one. I thought I had to say certain words and speak like the super saints with phrases I didn’t even understand. But when I pick up the Holy Bible and prayed that He send me to study where I can know him and heart to be teachable, my Pray life changed drastically. Thank you for this prayer that reminds me God is just a prayer away, and every day, He waits to hear from me, and I wait to listen to His answers.
Is there a perferred version (ie KJV / ESV / etc.,.) of the Bible that best fits the BSF studies. Thanks
Ray- thank you for asking! BSF studies use the NIV translation. We know many translations are wonderful, but using the NIV might help when you answer questions
Thank you for the blog post about prayer. Praying the “attributes of God” is something I first learned through BSF and am grateful as it helps me focus on Him and helps me pray for others.
Is there any place I can LISTEN to the lesson or blog?
Hi Jamie, you can listen to audio notes and lectures via the BSF App or your MyBSF.org account. The blog does not have an audio component at this time, although there are some softwares that read out webpages to you. Thank you!
I need prayer my life is just existing life not really living . need prayer , not a happy like for a while . through i was doing what my children need but wasn’t teaching them how to . trying now to get to read the bible more. send them verses to read. i hope they will just pick it up on there own. so shame . of myself , sins I committed . not paying to things so I could be a better person. I’ve been in BSF for copy years now , I would read the word but joining this bible program has been good for me. now I believe GOD has forgiven me for wrong I’ve down. thanks for praying for me.
You may try this prayer which I used through some recent times were I needed to refocus. At a time for 5 minutes and go to prayer. Do this once daily or I hit my snooze in the morning and do this.
(Breath in) Lord Jesus (Breath out) have mercy on me.
(Breath in) Heavenly Father (Breath out) speak to me.
(Breath in) Holy Spirit (Breath out) guide me.
I just continue until the 5 minutes are up.
I read your blog. (first time). It was such a blessing. we pray for each other as a group in our BSF class. Reading this today reminds me of how we need to pray with others as well. Thank you.
I think of prayer not only talking to God but being in the presence of God. God’s holy place. When Jesus drew His last breath God rented the Temple veil. When I was a child I was taught Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate an apple off the tree God told them not to eat because they would become like Him, knowing good and evil. Now that I am a Christian I now know what happened. We became separated from God. When God rented the Temple veil, He made it possible for us to have a relationship with Him as Born Again Christians by faith in repentance, surrendering our life to Jesus, His Son. I learned as a young Christian God speaks through His word. When I see someone I see eternity. My heart hungers to share with people what was removed from man in the Garden of Eden and how God so loves us, He wants to give Himself back to us. There are times we don’t know what to pray. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit itself intercedes for us. There is so much of the Spirit world we don’t understand. I don’t understand the groaning of the Holy Spirit praying on our behalf. By faith, I know God’s love for us left all spiritual resources in His word to bring us into His presence. Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before You and the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Our prayers become a sweet aroma to God.
Thank you for this great article on prayer. Sometimes I wish that God would talk to us directly like people and prophets of old. That He would tell me the direction and what to focus on. Your article tells me that God does talk to me. My prayer is to Spiritually clear my mind to hear Him for myself and anybody else I am interceding for including enemies
So beautifully written and such a timely reminder we need to be in prayer with our Father. What a blessing to have someone with Ms. McNary’s sweet spirit and insight to remind us! Looking forward to more blogs from her.
What a great article! Thank you, Karen!
how do i get the books ?
Hi Bill! You can access the BSF Store and purchase a lesson book through your mybsf.org account. Thank you!
“Through prayer, their hearts remained tender toward God’s people.” Yes! Thank you for this insight. This is how I can continue to love my neighbor – those I know and those I do not know – even though we may have vastly different values and worldviews. God, in His infinite wisdom, isn’t calling me to solve the problems of the world or gain better understanding, He is calling me to love Him and love my neighbor, and prayer is the only way my “heart can stay tender toward His people”. Thanks so much for sharing!
I love that God tenderizes our hearts toward other people when we pray. Praying for my divided family.
This touches my heart. As I pray for my divided family I also lift up yours, Fran. May God draw us all near to Himself, bring reconciliation, and breathe His breath of life into our hearts. May we one day rejoice together as we join in worship, praising the powerful name of Jesus, the One who is mighty to save. And in the meantime, may we obey the Lord by blessing those who hurt us and cast all our cares upon Him so that we may know Him and have peace.
Thanks for the sharing. I believe in prayer too. Corporate prayer in early 1990s changed my life completely. I thank God for moulding me and bringing me into BSF. I have become more consistent in my prayers in the last five years and this is BSF impact.
Thanks for this regarding prayer. All to often I get busy, neglect to pray. As I go thru my daily routines I talk with the Lord. But nothing is as satisfactory as devoting time to him in prayer. I to have become guilty of being busy. Thanks you for these lovely verses. To be united and reminded of prayer is essential.
This article is meticulous and beautifully written encouragement on prayer. I am truly blessed by it and more than ever determined to pray often and consistently! To God be the glory…
Thank God and all, this is the first time I have joined a prayer team member. I believe that might be a great opportunity to come near to God’s words and love.
Praying comes natural for me. I love communicating with my Heavenly Father.
Thank you! The Lord just confirmed that I need to pray more.
My life has been challenged with physical, spirtual and emotional situations that only God could help. Personal and corporate prayer has been my lieline. God has proved to be who He says He is. My life is a miracle. I continue to have challenges that are more than I could handle on my own. Because I met this God of the bible on this journey I am able to face each day with confidence. God bless the BSF community.
Thank you so much for this great reminder on the power of prayer which I take for granted. Prayer is definitely under-utilized. Grateful to God for this great weapon He has graciously given us to come before him 24/7. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Praying that I draw closer to Him through this great blessing of Prayer.
Thanks for the teaching, encouraging and reminding us to seek God in prayer first, before we get started with our lessons. May God bless BSF.
My husband has lost his job, he’s been off a few months, and interviewing with a new company. Praying for Gods favor in this job and for him to be chosen. But ultimately that Gods will be fulfilled in us as we are looking and willing to relocate.
Thank you for reminding me the importance of prayer. Sometimes I feel like I pray to much. Reading how God bring unity through prayer reminds me I can never pray to much and when I think I am praying to much stop what I am doing and humble myself in prayer and gratification.
My family is experiencing divisions, my mother is very old and unwell, sometimes I feel overwhelmed by all these, but one thing that is clear to me now is; God answers prayers and my main job is not to worry but pray for my family for God to heal and mend our relationships and family. Please pray with me.
I was transformed by in depth study of scriptures through BSF. Prayer is powerful In uniting God’s people to be faithful and persevere in this falling world.
Loved reading the devotions I received in my email in preparation for the upcoming study of A Kingdom Divided. This will be my 3rd yr in BSF and am truly enjoying the studies and fellowship.
Pamela – so thankful for you!
Great article on prayer! Love it & looking forward to this year’s study! I see why it is so important to pray to God on everything that affects us in life! Blessing to you as you continue His work!
I have fallen very far from the days I truly prayed. Now they are mostly fox hole prayers. I have become distant from God and since the beginning of 2020 I have kept him at arms length. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing God again as I begin this Bible study and new beginning.
There is no doubt, this will be a great year for you as you draw near to the Lord and begin spending time again with Him through the Word. Praise God for His continued faithfulness.
A great reminder of the power of prayer….individually and corporately
I thank God I joined BSF I have been going in the last 7yrs. My daughter K got me going and I really have enjoyed it every since. And enjoyed all the lessons I have learned and all the people I have met.
Dear Karen, I’m so happy to be a BSF member and to have your input from your Blog. I enjoyed reading The Power Of Prayer. It touched my heart. Thank you. Blessings
Thank you Karen!
So much truth and beauty here.
Wonderful insight in this article that helps prepare me for the upcoming Kindom Divided study! I’m feeling inspired to PRAY. Thanks Karen
Well written truth on the glue of our Christian faith…Prayer or lack of it. Thank you Karen for writing this inspiring piece providing a glimpse of what we are going to learn in this in-depth study.
When will the prayer guide be published for Kingdom Divided?
Thanks!
Hi Lou, while we haven’t yet sent an email to all members about it, the prayer guide is currently published on the blog. Click the “prayer” tab at the top of bsfblog.org homepage. Thanks!
Karen, your reminder to pray and why allowed me to begin my day with almost as bright of a smile as on your picture.
Thank you. May God continue to bless your ministry
Thanks Carrie!
May God bless you always
Karen,
Thank you for these reminders about prayer- and the unity we can have through prayer. I just finished your talk of unity versus uniformity from Launch which went well with this blog. Reminding me of the joy of differences and the endeavor to remain unified in purpose. The blog also makes me eager to encounter the many prayers of Kings, Chronicles and the prophets this year.
Thank you so much for the blessing of these words.
Thank you for your words on prayer – so valuable to fellowship with our Lord in prayer at any moment. To pray personally and with our fellow believers
I Praise God that I joined BSF. My journey to God’s kingdom is truly a trying experience. By God’s grace and mercy, I can withstand the trials and Holy Spirit that lives in me encourage and empower me. I thank our Lord Jesus Christ for his incomparable love and faithfulness that He saved me from my sins. I look forward to the continuing journey through BSF. Blessings to all…
Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed what you had to say about prayer. Prayer is so important in our Christian Lives. I am looking forward to the new studying Divided Kingdom.
God bless you!
Amen. Thank you for reminding us to come to prayer at all times especially when we are on a physical and spiritual attack or battle. Truly there is power in every prayer. God is Good and always in control. He will never abandon us. He is faithful. Thank You Abba! Thank You Holy Spirit and Thank You Lord Jesus for coming into our lives. Thank you that we can have the 24/7 access to You in Prayer.
I wholeheartedly believe that The Holy Spirit moves as we pray, especially as we humble ourselves and confess our sins. Like so many of my Black brothers and sisters in Christ, I am heartbroken over the insidious and persistent presence of racism in the Body – not to mention in the US at large. How can we begin to heal from such a pervasive sin when we won’t/can’t even talk about it? In the US, we can’t even examine our own history honestly. How can we invite the Holy Spirit into a sin issue we refuse to acknowledge? Father God, help us. We need you. Every hour we need you.
Totally agree that sin causes turmoil, and the solution is to pray. But one fact even amongst believers is that we have magnified sin instead of our Jesus Christ, who have radically resolved the problem of sins for the all mankind. Isn’t that a Bible truth amongst church? If not, we are more miserable than the world as mentioned by Apostle Paul.
So in prayers, I suggest to focus on our Lord especially His perfect work finished on The Cross. Like Peter walking on the water when looking at Jesus but descended when focus changed, why then should we turn our focus away from our Lord? Especially when our Father in Heaven twice expresses that He remembers our sins no more in Hebrews 8 and 10, we then should die to sin and the law (Romans 6 and 7) in response to show that we totally trust the effectiveness of the finished perfect work of our Lord on The Cross. That seems to be the ultimate solution which also magnifies our Lord instead of sin. Hallelujah. Amen. Amen.
Thank you, I loved reading your comments on the need for prayer.
Thank you Karen for sharing. Yes- prayer matters. Looking forward to the upcoming BSF study.
This is very timely for me.
God bless you.
Thank you for this encouragement and reminder of our need to be in prayer.
Thank you for the timely encouragement. United we stand divided we fall and certainly we are no match for the enemy. “Unity is strength”.
Thank you for this very timely reminder about our need to pray to our Lord for his help.
Thank you Karen you said it so clearly, let us all unite in prayer for this kingdom that we live in. We much need God’s mercy and guidance. I enjoyed your blog very much.
The examples given in the blog about prayer were strengthening and encouraging.
what a blessing! Thank you
So appropriate and timely. Thank you for sharing.
This blog comes at the right time. It is just what I needed to hear during these turbulent times. It renews my faith and hope. God’s word is always on time!
Thank you, bless you.
I thank Jesus Christ for BSFLove the Fellowship with other believers Thank God Far His Word
I loved reading this blog. It reminds me of the importance of prayer, regardless what is going on in my life, prayer is always appt.
I agree wholeheartedly.
What a reminder to always pray to God! A powerful weapon indeed. Many thanks.
Thank you my sister. Indeed prayer matters. It has to be the number one & first choice.
Individual prayer promotes unity.
True sister . wonderful message on prayer.
God Bless you.
A call for unity in prayer and purpose is timely in ALL times, but especially now! Thank you as we join together for His purposes in our lives, our communities, our schools and in BSF.
I loved reading this blog. I have always felt that I didn’t have the right beautiful words of others. I hope God doesn’t care about that.
You don’t have to hope Linda. God cares that you talk with him from your heart…
“ What a friend”we have in bsf to remain us of the necessity of PRAYER to keep us united and focus on studying the WORD of GOD together. …………………THANKS
Thank you for reminding me of the value of prayer to God. Prayer changes my heart and my perspective in many instances, toward God and others. I pray for our divided country that unity thru prayer would be ours again.
Thank you or the message. Prayer is important in every situation.
I would like to be apart of this. How or what can I do
Welcome and thank you for these prophetic words, “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then.” Oh God we need you now, an alarm should be going off around the world, people of God Pray!
The best way to start and end every day is in prayer. Thank you, Karen, for your blog!
Thank you for these encouraging words & this reminder of this underutilized gift we have for ourselves & our nation.
so true. most times, we are too engrossed with our daily lives n struggles n we try to live life trying to do all by our own effort. only when we realised we are at the end of the road, we come to God. Dear God, pls remind us to come to you first n not last to save ourselves from a lot of heartache n pain. thank you Jesus.
This was a very good article. It has helped me to see why I should pray more.
Beautifully written, and oh, so true! If we, as GOD’s people in this country, would humble ourselves and pray, what a healing would take place. Our GOD is so good and merciful and will forgive our sins.
Yes Cindy. God has given access through the shed blood of Jesus. I too long for more Christians in our country to cry out to Him.
I welcome you, Karen. I am glad you joined BFS. It is a great Bible Teaching Organization. I have been a student at BFS for some time now and have been blessed.
United in Prayer—- Such a powerful message regarding the importance of prayer—- To NEVER neglect prayer—-
The facts presented in the Bible show us where the breakdowns and divisions went to a level of destruction because PRAYER was not in the forefront of people… Prayer unites us with Our Lord —
He is the Great I Am….👆-
What a meaningful blog on prayer. I too want to have a better prayer life so this blog is so helpful and Karen did a beautiful job explaining how important prayer is to our God. Thank You!
The song at the begining sums it up- what peace we forfeit for failure to pray and what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!may we have the grace to fellowship with him at all times- confide in him.
Prayer is like not eating, I need it as much or more for the nourishment of my soul …if I don’t face God first, I’m doomed.
I love where you said prayer softens our hearts and gives us renewed patience – so true in these challenging times. I am praying for others in my community to be respectful of different points of view.
Such a great thing to do Ginny- pray for respectful different points of view. We won’t always agree but we can still be civil.
Thank you Karen for those words of encouragement!
It is really a reminder for me as I worry about everything that is happening which is so unfair and cruel to bring division among the people based on religion and caste etc back home in my country . I realise I can still pray for them it is my responsibility to tell the Lord and not to be anxious .or worrying too much.
Lord, I humbly confess that I do not pray enough. Thank you for reminding me that prayer is vital, and I am called to give you honor and to pray . Help me Holy Spirit to have a daily quiet time, in Your presence dear Jesus. Amen
When we pray, we are always connected to the Lord our God no matter when, where and whatever circumstances, indeed. Thank you for this assurance.
This article on prayer is right on target for me. I have been asking God to strengthen my prayers, to guide me in His purpose for the rest of my life, for my church and all church congregations to unite in ceaseless prayer and for His people who are called by His Name to humble ourselves and pray, pray, pray! This being said, I still struggle with praying publicly. I talk with God all day in private and am trying to improve my listening to Him. Thank you Karen for this wonderful prayer guide.
As a very young child I learned from lofty prayers even though I didn’t really understand them . They instilled a curiosity in me. When I was about 12 years old I heard a preacher talk about his struggle of being called to serve a church in another country. He then went on to say that God slapped all his excuses out of his hand. He was obedient and went. That left an impression on me the rest of my life. I am now 80 years old.
Those early habits of praying before dinner and bedtime were instrumental even though I didn’t really understand . Prayer life today is so different from what it was over the years. It’s all a growing process.
Thank you for your article!!
Thank you for your thoughtful blog. One thing I loved about the BSF study was the ACTS prayer that I could download for each lesson.and which was so meaningful. Is that available this year and how can I download it. Blessings, Dolores
Yes! There will be a companion prayer guide this year. It will focus more on praying God’s Word than exclusively ACTS. We hope it will be helpful! You will receive it in an email
I am interested in receiving the Companion Prayer Guide.
We are so glad! Look for it in your email in the next few weeks as we will send it to members before the start of the study via the email newsletter. If you are not already a subscriber, you can become one on the blog homepage.
I would also like to know how to download information available from B SF.
You can access all of BSF’s extra resources here on the blog, through your email newsletters (if not already receiving them, you can sign up on the blog homepage), or on mybsf. The prayer guide has not been released yet but will be published soon.
I’m always disturbed by the phrase “The Power of Prayer”. It seems to suggest an effort on our part and excludes our One true God. Correctly put, it should be the “Power of God through Prayer”. For many pagans also pray, does that mean it also has power praying to other gods? Perhaps my later phrase is still not refined as it can also suggest we are strong arming God to perform something though our prayers. God is sovereign. He will carry out what He deems fit. I frequently hear people ask for God to answer our prayers when we should be asking God please grant our requests/petitions and leave the decision making to Him. God always answers but not in the way we want. At the back of people’s mind when they ask this question, they usually mean, “I want it done” when we should be meaning, “Thy will be done!”
Good point Edwin.. His will not our will. Prayer is one way we can learn and align to His will.
James 5:16a The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
I did not see the prayer guide please post again. I don’t want to miss it. Thank you!
Hi Alice, the prayer guide has not been posted yet. Coming soon!
That was encouraging Karen thank you.
Beautiful reminder of the importance of prayer. Looking forward to contemplating this truth further in our upcoming study.
May the Holy Spirit guide our leaders as the teach us from totally new BSF material. We will study this difficult time in the history of the nation of Israel. God’s love and patience never fails, but he loves his people too much to leave them in their dreadful state of rebellion.
A very good explanation of why prayer is so important in our daily lives. Thank you for reminding me that I can go to prayer about anything.
Thank you Karen for the powerful truths expressed in this blog post. 🙏🙏🙏 Lord, please help us be faithful in prayer!
Karen. In our troubled world daily prayer is my survival God-link that sustains me. One of my favorite prayers is from Eric Milner-White;
Grant,O Lord, that what we have heard with our ears and sung with our lips, we may believe in our hearts and practice in our lives; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
Thank you for your BSF servanthood and keeping us grounded in prayer!
Thank you Karen for this most needed reminder today!
My group last year were real prayer warriors ! Prayers draw us closer to each other and to God!
Yes, prayer takes on many forms and occurs for different reasons—all part of the pilgrim’s progress of loving the Lord with all my heart and my neighbor as myself. Walking and talking with God as He/She is near me all the time and cares about me. Thank you Karyn and all BSF workers for keeping this vital ministry going through a lot of prayer efforts yourself.
It’s a nice one.
May God cause us to seek him desperately through prayer
Prayers for all the BSF STAFF and volunteers who keep this valuable program going. Thank you for all you do for us all as we turn our lives over to our Lord and savior. I feel truly blessed to have found (along with millions of others), the word of God, at has been life changing.
Yes! We need to pray for each other, our selves, family, church, BSF….,Thanks for the reminders!
My pray to our Almighty Merciful God is if I had a way for Zimbabweans to meditate on Karen’s words in her blog, last paragraph – instead of trusting in our own will/strength – give it all up to God in prayer that His will b done.
Please pray for my country to fully trust in God in truth and spirit to give ourselves to Him for His Glory.
I just want to thank you for providing the prayer guide. I can’t wait for it to come up for the divided Kingdom. I used it a lot, and also referenced sometimes in my weekly contact with my ladies. Just want you to know know much I love it
Trish – thank you so much for the feedback! Praying for you and your group this year
Much appreciated for providing the Prayer Guide.
I can’t wait for it to come up for the Divided Kingdom. I used it during the week in prayer with you HQ and as during our School Program class time.
Praise God for BSF and you- faithful servants in the Lord. God bless the work of your hands.
Very well said, Karen!!
I’ve been a believer for quite some time but I have to be honest I haven’t been a prayer. I didn’t know how to pray or what to said I felt my words from were just words. So I really wasn’t praying on a regular basis. Well I’ve been having some medical issues and I’ve been in the word and praying (talking to God ) and I feel a peace in my soul. Prayers work.
Thanks for your transparency Wilma. Peace in your soul is a work of the Spirit.
Loved this paper on prayer. Mrs. McNary brought out many points that are critical to how we pray and that we need prayer.
Wonderful article and such profound advice. Karen has given us much wisdom into God’s Word and I will forever remember the advice given in one of my favorite hymns, What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Thanks so much for this reminder so needed in today’s world!
Please pray for unsaved loved ones to come to the Lord. Please pray for all Christians to grow in faith, love, and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Discernment for the church and christians.
What struck me was what we forfeit when we do not pray. We forfeit God’s peace, we experience needless pain, and we carry our burdens alone which load us down and cause us to be overwhelmed.
“What peace we often forfeit, what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”
Thanks for the reminder of how important and necessary prayer is for our society and culture today. We’re going through a “cultural upheaval. Prayers are really needed…more than ever.
Great and eloquent reminder Karen. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you for this encouragement on the power of prayer! I easily see myself slip into patterns of not taking time to pray the way I know I need to! I’m excited about this study and what God has to teach us all this year!
Thank you for putting into words, so beautifully,, and reminding us,, how important it is that we unite in prayer. It is often hard to remember that we need to pray for the hearts and souls that we so violently oppose their ways and beliefs. I believe Our nation is in desperate need of a spiritual and moral revival . Keeping you in our prayers.
I feel like am living in a divided kingdom right now – the kingdom of SELF and the kingdom of CHRIST. Can we live in both? I don’t think so. If I am living in the kingdom of SELF, I am not living in the kingdom of CHRIST. I pray that this year’s study will meet me where I am (as they always do, right?). I believe the application of His Word and prayer can move me into the kingdom of our precious SAVIOR wholeheartedly. Please Lord, help me be willing to move.
Thanks for your insight on prayer!
Thank You for this Wonderful Message. It’s something I needed to read today & I know through God there are no coincidences!
God Bless You
Thanks for this delightful blog. My prayers is that all the Christian people may read this message and seek God in prayer. Thanks
This is powerful! Oh how I wish every person in the United States could/would read this. Think of the nation we would have if our country would unite in prayer. God is in charge.
Thank you so much I’m learning each day from BSF BKS ❣️ I’m so proud of you Karen McNary God Bless the World it’s going to take all of us love God ❣️
What a wonderful declaration of what prayer should be – individual and corporate. Unity that comes through praying together .
“Yes, prayer matters because we live in a fallen world!”
I appreciate this reminder that corporate prayer is important. Prayer has many forms and I use journal praying and text to further enhance communication with God and others. I watch my writing flow with Spirit and it is amazing! Those who receive, and I, have a written reminder of what Holy Spirit performed thru me for us! I praise Our God! Hallelujah and Amen!!
I was so touched by contents of the blog. The guidance shared will be shared by me in the coming days.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the compassion of our God! I could not enjoy one day without Him in my heart! BSF has been a joy in my life for many years!
Thank you for reminding us of the importance of and power of prayer. I find thoughtful prayer before studying God’s word opens my eyes to gems from the scriptures that I have not seen before.
Thank you Karen for highlighting prayer within the context of our present day national and global dilemma. It underscores the urgency of prayer and it’s effectiveness as illustrated by your Old Testament references.
I also commend BSF for its growing sensitivity toward cultural and racial diversity within its organization as reflected in Karen’s administrative leadership position in this area. May God continue to stir hearts to expand these efforts.
Thank you Karen for your insight of prayers in our lives. I pray daily in Christ. He is alive and lives within me. The relationship with others in prayer is something new for me since I have been a loner, independent, and isolated. Have a wonderful day.
Karen, thank you for this timely reminder of our need to lift all our concerns to the one true God.
BSF has been a blessing to me and teaches me Gods principals.
Karen has put before us the need as a group of believers to unite in prayer for our nation, which has become a nation already divided and far removed from God. We need a Jehoshaphat calling our nation to prayer.
Beautifully written! Thank you! So excited about the upcoming study!
Prayer indeed is what we always do , humbly consult God in every aspects of our lives . Thank you for the inspiring message to ponder upon .
Hi.
Thanks for the post. It definitely helped me. I have been praying God for sometime to give me prayerful heart seeking him. I often ignore to read emails like this but today i wanted to read out and made my time. Thanks for sharing about importance and power of prayer.
It is good to be reminded that prayer can often be a “last resort” rather than consistent heartfelt discipline. Great application to the current state of our world. God continually amazes me when He answers prayers so perfectly and personally! Looking forward to this year’s study of a Kingdom Divided!
Thank You for encourage all of us to Pray!
If we continue praying may be Our beautiful Nation will change and we will be like years before! Strong Nation in The Lord!
I am thankful for this reading. We must pray at all times. Seek Gods and know how much I (we) are loved. Without sound doctrine we will fall. Thankful for BSF and those who prepare to share. Blessing from our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
This is a very good, and very true. We used to be a country of prayer, now we seem to be a country against prayer. The further we get away from our Judeo-Christian founding beliefs the worse we are becoming. I think as Christians if we could come together for a day of fasting and prayer, we could turn this around
Praise God!
Our group prayers in the last two weeks have engaged us in unity in prayer despite group members’ geographical separation spanning across the US, Canada, Africa, Middle East, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hongkong, and China.
This in timing ties us into the latest blog post of our BSF’s Director of Global Cultural Engagement and Community Karen McNary.
Unswervingly our discussion group prayers logged in to Karen’s calling, “Pray for Your Group”.
Our newly regrouped discussion group prayers have a good cornerstone start in a warrior prayer room on a PPDK online platform … our global BSFers prayed for our OGM’s unwell father-in-law, a church pastor laid up immobilized by a hip dislocation while fighting for his on-going recurrent stage IV pancreatic cancer, said to be terminal. We heard many praying voices from our newly regrouped Kingdom Divided discussion group and our own BSFOnline leadership. Our LORD hears them too and acts. How? In His invisible Presence and hand at work, the pastor’s blood chemistry index leaped in bounds likely in response to the upstreaming of prayers said, all happened within a week, from 19,000 to 33,000 and to 49,000, ready to receive his hip corrective surgery yesterday’s evening, God willing! What a witness! God is not silent – True then, True NOW!
Hallelujah! Amen.
I enjoyed reading this on prayer. It is so true. I believe in the power of prayer!
Thank you for that reminder! We need to ask ourselves what God means by the words humble and repent for us to get it correctly.
Soothed my mind so much to read this article on the power of prayer to all the problems in the world. The question was weighing especially on my mind and now i know we have to have faith in God’s plan and pray for my country.
Thank you very much Karen. It is very encouraging. Today church is divided. In name of democracy, groupism is created in the church. We forgot to be witness for our Lord. God purpose is that we must be Royal Priests and Holy nation- Oneness (1 Peter2: 9). We failed just as Israel failed. We forget we are one body in Christ. Yes, only through prayer we can achieve oneness. That is what our Lord Jesus prayed in John 17: 21-23. Keep praying for the church. Amen
Thanks, Karen
Powerful message.
Great insights.
I have always sing the hymn, this message has brought more meaning and understanding. Abba father help me to utilize this powerful weapon. Looking forward to the BSF study… This has become my happy place!
Thank you Karen, for the great encouragement, and how true what you have shared is. May God help us to pray. God bless.
Thanks Karen, indeed prayer can move mountains our God is a listening God. We need to take all our troubles and worries to the foot of the Cross through prayer, individual and collectively
Thanks
Fantastic Karen. Thank you for these reminders. So timely and what a great challenge. May we be united in prayer!
Powerful reminder on prayer and its power.
Thank you Karen
What a great way to start this BSF journey for another year. We all yearn for our land to be healed, but I confess humbling myself and praying to Him is not always the first thing I do to accomplish that end. Real prayer directed to my holy God, humbles me, helps me see my sin, my part in dividing this world. Only then does He fill me with compassion and grace for others who fall short, and a heart to see a restoring of all men to Him.
Loved reading this encouraging reminder of the power of prayer! I’m eager to get back to BSF and know it will do my heart good to grow in the Lord through this study!
The truth regarding prayer is so true . The verse What a friend in Jesus remind me how important prayer is for Christians. God is Faithful as we pray.
The blog says it all. Thank you.
I want to pray with others. Give me time and suited prayer events Lord, amen
Our conversation with our Lord in Prayer is a privilege with the best friend we can ever have. Let us not forfeit the peace, and by strengthening our prayerful conversations draw nearer to The Way, The Truth and The Life God has designed for us.
So looking forward to this year’s study and the strength we will all gain United in prayer.
A powerful message and reminder from Karen on the importance of prayer. We often forget and try to solve problems on our own without God’s help. Thank you for getting us back on track.
Thank you Karen
for such encouragement! I do believe God answers prayer, May I have the patience to wait on the answer.
I am looking forward to joining my group this fall
I THINK THIS REMINDER OF WHAT WE ARE TO DO DURING THESE DARK TIMES IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR OUR ABILITY TO DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGES OF TODAY’S WORLD. PRAYER ALIGNS US WITH WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO. OUR PRAYERFUL RESPONSE TO GOD’S INSTRUCTION DEMONSTRATES OUR LOVE AND OBEDIENCE TO HIM. THOUGH WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE OUTCOME OF OUR PRAYERS FOR OTHERS, WE ARE BLESSED BY GOD FOR OUR FAITHFUL PRAYERS.
What a great post! Thank you so much.
This summer, I happen to have witnessed God responding to a heartfelt prayer of mine, in the most unexpected of ways. God showed me He hears, He cares, and is intimately in tune with my deepest desires. No one else knew what I’d been praying for, but God did.
Very good lessons drawn from the historical context of our upcoming study subject.
Thank you Karen for the very positive message. It was a great help for me. I have been struggling with these questions over the last few years. This message really warmed my heart to seek God’s presence. I look forward to this year’s study, and this highlights the importance of seeking God in prayer.
God Bless
Sven.
This is so helpful… so very timely to be reminded that we need to go back to, being on our knees and calling on God for anything and everything that concerns us. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this inspiration filled devotional. It’s easy to see a strong resemblance to events then and now. Our nation has known God and experienced His generous blessings. Oh how desperately we need to turn from our wicked ways, and return with hearts fully devoted to worship, honor. Serve and love our Holy Father God.
I want to thank all who have put together this wonderful study of Old Testament scripture called “Kingdom Divided”. It is so clearly written that even the youngest believer should have no problems understanding it. We see so clearly the consequences of sin……turning away from the Lord to follow our own desires. The world needs this study now. So many are lukewarm in their faith. Times may change but people do not. We all need a strong faith in Christ and this study shows us so clearly the consequences of what happens when we turn our back on God. Thank you BSF for this comprehensive study. A job well done.
Thank you, Karen, for that beautiful reminder of the power and necessity of prayer.
It is so vital that we communicate with our loving and caring God is to reinforce our faith, giving Him thanks and glory as our Creator and Savior. Remembering He has a plan for each of us and we need to trust him always.
You are appreciated for all you do for BSF.
Blessings.
I will take this to heart
This was awesome! Prayer have been always part of my life.
The day Before I was to have a very dangerous surgery that I was waiting for 20 years, the Lord spoke to me in a dream “you must be the peoples representative before God”.
I woke up and I knew the Lord was telling me all was going to be well with the surgery and that He was restoring my intercessory ministry and it was so.
Praise the Lord!
Thank you.
Yes, prayer is necessary and while there are many things to pray for each person individually requests the help of God in them all. Thank you for this blog.
Wonderful prayer article
Using this as last comment in my
Lesson class for 60 plus men and women
Thank you so much
Thank you, Karen, for this wonderful and inspiring message. I plan to share it with our CLs when we meet. God bless you!
Thoughts shared are very inspiring and encouraging.Thank you for sharing the importance of prayer. Thanks to BSF for enabling us to understand the word of God so intimately. Looking forward for the present study.
Thank you, Karen. I have been feeling discouraged and weary praying for my husband and children whose hearts are cold towards the Lord. It is a lonely road. I know the Lord is with me and is using everything for my sanctification. He has a perfect plan. I’m just tired right now. I look forward to hearing what God has for me through BSF this year. He is faithful.
Amy, I am so sorry for what you are going through on a daily basis. It must be so hard. May this year’s study provide you with comfort and peace as you persevere in your situation. I join you right now in prayer that God will reach your husband and children in His perfect way. May you leave it with Him as you follow in obedience.
Amen Jill!
You are not alone. Discouragement comes. I am also struggling with children and grands who could care less about God. I don’t want to be a wishy washy Christian but often feel like I am. There are some in the family who are following the Lord and for those I am blessed. God cares.
Retta- praying for endurance for you!
‘Prayer unites hearts to God and each other.’ I’m glad that you pointed this out. It gives me hope and inspires me to seek God in prayer as I go through a time of crisis in my family and personal conflict.
Prayer. What a beautiful opportunity we have to confide in our Lord. We need to pray continuously for each other, our families, & our country. Thank you for this beautiful article Karen!
This was over the top significant, strong, and so beautiful. Thank you so so much for this, Karen. It effected me in a very strong way.
God is our answer and has always been! I’m a sinner, but Jesus is the love of my life!!!
Question. Can I copy this blog and post on my email and make it known it was from a Bible Study Fellowship blog?
Caroline – we would love for you to share Karen’s post! So thankful it was encouraging to you
Thank you!! This is exactly what I needed to hear!
Strengthens my resolve to become more intentional in my weak prayer life. Thank you.
I to
Am looking forward to this study.
It means so much in my prayerlife
In my Church, in my dealing with my every day things.
And with help From GOD !
I can see the Road and where I need to Be.😁
Praise God, what an awesome and inspiring article. I wish Karen was a member of our church. We sure could use an advocate for prayer like her. I hope she considers writing a book on prayer someday.
Where/how can I order a study notebook for the Fall?
Hi Gayle! To access the BSF Store and order a lesson book, log into your mybsf account and click “BSF Store” on the lefthand menu.
Thank you Karen. What a wonderful reminder of the necessity of prayer. And when we forsake prayer, we forfeit peace. Thank you, God for the privilege to pray!
Wonderful….what an awesome God we serve…
Thank you for the encouragement and the depth of scripture
To unite us to Pray together 🙏🙏
Two Kingdoms in conflict. The Kingdom of man vs. the kingdom of God. Praying for God’s kingdom to increase in me through BSF study.
This is good! Prayer is always needed. Thank you, Karen!
I know from personal experience that prayer is essential in our lives. As human beings, we still sin: we’re self-centered and imperfect. I have been blessed with the BSF studies: Genesis, John, People of the Promise Land, and now Matthew.
Thank you Karen for your reminder to keep on praying in all circumstances, God is the only one who can cause change to occur. Looking forward for classes starting up and what our unstoppable God is doing through BSF.
Karen, your focus on prayer with the examples of situations facing God’s chosen people are very germain for our times.
Thank you for hearing the Spirit.
I love BSF, the commitment and leadership.
Father in heaven, I stand before You today in Your omnipotent presence to ask that You grant each of us love and service to you and lead others to you.
A beautifully written reminder of why prayer matters, to God and to us! Well done Karen, and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Thank you so much for this message on prayer. I was blessed and encouraged to lift up some specific needs my church currently has.
I appreciate your words on prayer. Prayer is so important for a Christian. Its something that I am always working on . I’m looking forward to BSF this year. I’ve had a few years away and have truly missed it. Thank you Karen
When I pray (talk to God) i place my heart in a humble estate. Having a conversation on private with our Most High is not easy for me as my vocabulary sometimes stumbles in fear. But I get the consoltion that He knows what I need and don’t need. He 8s the maker and programmer of my life.
But after i finish my conversation I always say the Lord’s Prayer, because that is the Biblical and Divine way that Jesus taught us how to pray. (Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-4)
Thank you so much encouragement word Karen.
When God’s people humble and pray,
He will move the mountains. 🙏
Karen, thank you for your insights to our study with BSF this year.
You describe our world we live in today. Your thoughts make me want to spend more time on my knees.
Prayer is an important part of my life. It is where I get answers to all my questions. God is Faithful and hears all our prayers. Sometimes is it difficult waiting for the answers. God always comes through and is always on time! Thank you for the reminder!
Thank you so much. I read this just after hearing a podcast on contemplative prayer. I have been asking the Lord to deepen my prayer life and as always – he places so much before me to guide me in His way! I am thankful you listened to his call to your heart – to share this blog.
Thank you Karen
We are all God’s people yet we harm one another with words and even worse atrocities
All we have to do is pray and God will hear
Thanks for such an awesome reminder of the power of prayer through your words of truth and transparency. This year’s study will clearly bring clarity to the importance of prayer. So looking forward to this study.
So thought-provoking! Thank you for this.
I appreciate the organization of your thoughts and substance in your prayer. It is a teaching prayer that speaks to my understanding why we must pray and how God uses our prayers, corporate or individual, to enhance our relationship with God.
Thank you Karen, and also reminding me the power of prayer united. Looking forward to this seasons study.
Blessing
Kimberly
Thanks for sharing your wisdom on prayer, Karen!
How inspiring and encouraging🙏🏾
Thank you for this encouraging word! As I have grown in my relationship with Father I find refuge in Him as I come before his throne of grace.
BSF has certainly helped and is helping me to draw more on Him each moment of my waking and before I settle for the night.
Thank you Karen for the beautiful example of how pray can change things. I am very excited to see my life focus change during this years study. I have already begun to pray more and complain less.
Thank you Karen! I love your Scripture references! So concisely laid out.
Compelling and beautifully written article.Thanks for sharing, and making it plain. Touched by the Word. Grace and peace be multiplied to you
Over the past 20 years, I have found that I not only pray for others, what God has laid on my heart, and I have found that I also pray when I am joyful. That was something I never did in the past. BSF has given me a new outlook on what and how I should pray. This is something I am trying to pass on to others.
Thanks for sharing Walter. What a gift to pass on your joyful outlook toward prayer.
Please make available the corporate BSF weekly lesson prayers to the area leaders or make them easier to find on app
A wonderful blog reminding us there is truly unity in prayer and we must come together to save our country from the direction it is going. God will walk with us🙏🙏
Thank you so much for reminding us that we have the open door to God thru prayer.
Love BSF, especially how the studies always make us focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ.
This makes me to look at my prayer life and spend more time alone with God.
Thank you, Karen ~ for reminding us of the power of PRAYER to unite us.
“IN GOD WE TRUST” is printed or inscribed on each piece of United States of America’s currency. I wish 2 Chronicles 7:14 was inscribed on the heart and mind of every American ~ especially every believer!
Love it! Especially the part that says our hearts are united. The examples you gave was spot on. Especially with Asa. When he prayed he was met with success and great peace for himself and his kingdom however.
Later in life when he didn’t pray because consulted other people his kingdom ended up in turmoil and he died a horrible death.
Do it is with us. Our prayers not only affect us but it also affects those around us.
Thank you for your perspective it definitely has enlighted me today God bless
Thank you so much Karen
I enjoyed reading about the different forms of prayer and ultimately the purpose of prayer. My wish is to see our divided kingdom come together for a common purpose; to heal, love our neighbor and reflect the spirit of God in all we say or do. That is a reason to join in individual and corporate prayer.
After all we are bound by cord that shouldn’t be broken.
Karen, praying has been at the top of my list of things I don’t think I know how to do right. Thanks for sharing that all ways are right ways. I don’t have to try have the right words, just pray from my heart and God will hear me! May God bless you in your ministry and thank you for sharing!
Yvonne,
You’re so right that we don’t have to try to have the right words. God wants words flowing from your heart and yes, He will hear you.
Karen: God’s individual and corporate unity post through you, is always timely. Global, international, national, states, cities, towns, homes. May we pray and be on guard for satan’s schemes to divide and destroy. May all His plans, purposes, desires for His planet and people are always for good and shalom. May, in our prayers, yearn to have undivided hearts.
Yes and Amen Patti. Satan comes to still, kill and destroy. God has given us a powerful weapon in prayer.
This is really good and what’s going on. I’d never prayed out loud in front of others until I became a BSF leader. It was very humbling. Now when I’m walking aline (for exercise) I pray out loud even alone.
Thanks for sharing this with us!
Sharon
Sharon,
That is my experience with prayer too. It wasn’t until a leader’s meeting that I became comfortable praying out loud. One of the many blessings of BSF and leadership!!!
Karen thank you for your post. If only our country would say a pray in public instead of a moment of silence. I would love to hear politicians that are christians say a pray for our country. Thank you for BSF that love our children and teach them Gods word in deed and stories from the Bible.
What a timely and needed message for today. Unite us in love through prayer.
May this fellowship bless us and make us more faithful to God
I am a believer in prayer, and so many things in my life has been achieved through prayer. When I think how to rectify, problems of daily life , I request wisdom and guidance for every day in the morning, strength and courage to face it, and I can’t describe how it get resolved , and I have praise and thanks in the evening. When I reflect back I don’t know how it is solved. So I believe in prayer. If not answered I leave it to His will and time. Don’t even think about it . Hallelujah that we have a friend in Jesus who takes care of things .
So true Mollie… He answers yes, no and wait and His timing rarely meets my timetable… Love that we can leave it to Jesus, our trusted friend.
Molly, I found your thoughts on prayer very encouraging. A challenge to soak my life in prayer. God bless!!
Beautiful writing.
What an encouragement and what truth!! A timely word for our times. What a difference it would make if we spent the time we fret and fume over the nation’s problems, and we converted that negative energy into prayer. Thank you for this excellent reminder of the importance and power of prayer.
Agreed Michelle. We all have the same amount of hours per day. Will we spend them fretting and fuming, or persistently interceding?
I just finished reading this and cannot tell you how much I appreciate and love this. God’s timing is amazing…always!!! Our Pastor has always shared that we don’t need to be eloquent or fancy with our words, etc. ~ Jesus loves the little children and praying as a child would pleases is Him immensely. I loved that as a baby Christian and still carry it with me…I imagine Him sitting or standing next to me (or us, if praying in a group). It helped me to be real and close to HIM…not thinking about what others are thinking of my prayer/s. Also, you have reminded me of how much more I need to pray about all that is going on in our world…so divisive and sad. But HE is in control and prayer is best gift anyone can give and receive. THANK YOU…AND GOD BLESS!!!
Please add me this year. I Joined bsf in January 2013 and remained a member through 2020 in New York City
I want to join again virtual
Hi Linda! You can go to join.bsfinternational.com and click the option “online” to find a virtual group. Or, you can contact the CA of your class from last year to ask for your class’s in-person and online options (you can find their contact information by going to the same join site and finding your former class).
I appreciated reading that we don’t necessarily have to agree on how to respond to a national crisis, but by uniting our hearts in prayer and seeking God’s will we are united with God and to one another.
Seeking His will and not my will ( how I think we should respond), is one of the hardest and humbling ways to pray.
thank you for the gentle reminder that today’s world turmoil are not new! Covid, Economy, and more. Just read Israel’s history.
So right Elisabeth! Turmoil isn’t new, nor is prayer as a powerful weapon for God’s people.
Karen, thank you for this timely and truth-filled post. Thank you for the reminder that when we pray God is working on and in our hearts, to soften them and align our desires to His. So often we go to God with a need in others and realize what was needed was a change in our heart. Thank for the encouragement to faithfulness in prayer.
Thank you for the beautiful and gentle reminder of the most necessary utilization of prayer which is a gift of our Lord. We shall pray!🙏🏻⛪️🎚
Thank you Karen. We must always remember that we are all God’s children who fail Him daily and in need of His salvation. We all must repent, come together as brothers and sisters of God’s family and pray daily for His forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and restoration.
Oh yes, this I’ve felt for several years – joining hearts and voices together in strength is our great weapon.
Thanks for reminding all of us!
Appreciate this blog
Comes @ an excellent time
Greetings,
Thank you for this timely reminder, which comes to me through you from the ver heart of God.
Thank you Karen for this post. So powerful! What a reminder that regardless of what is going on in the world, and how much we as Christians are tempted to allow opposing views on political issues to divide us, it is prayer that unites us. God gives us a the gift of peace that we can access through prayer. I cannot wait to work this into my Launch next week. 🙂
Powerful truth!
I pray all the time and keeps me on track
Thank you for this blog. It’s a passionate reminder of God’s desire to pray individually and corporately.
I am on my church’s prayer team and needing our church to be praying as we are in a transition period to find our next pastor. We need godly people to pray for unity to be God’s Church.
Bless you Margaret. In my experience prayer is the least attended church ministry event. Thank you for your commitment.
God bless you. May God help me to pray always.
Quite encouraging truth on corporate prayer creating unity among God’s people. I am blessed.
Thank you.for the reminder, we connect to God our Father through paryer.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder that our Lord Jesus Christ is only a prayer away from us and that we should have minute to minute conversations with Him.
Thank you! What a blessing your message is, Karen—a strong encouragement for us to continue to be faithful in prayer. Once again I’m feeling very grateful for the ministry of BSF.
Amen! Praying for you and all the leaders for our upcoming year of study.
Amen prayer really really does work. When I pray to God I feel releived and revived and free cause I know my Father has and is taking care of it.Prayer is my me time with the Lord.
Wow, you said a lot of important things in just a few words! You’re my kind of writer. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge…and your heart comes through loud and clear!
Thank you Karen!
I’m a member of a thriving church, that because of division with our former national church, we are having to leave our church buildings and property. This coming Sunday is our last meeting there. This is very timely for me. As a member of the prayer team I would like to share your thoughts and teaching here. Would that be ok??
God Bless you for these wonderful words of encouragement!
Rita – we would love for you to share Karen’s post! So grateful God used it to encourage you during this time. We are praying for you and your church!
“The reason for our turmoil today is the same — sin. So is the solution — prayer. God states this clearly in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” ”
Pretty clear to me, Karen, thank you for a well-written post about personal as well as corporate responsibility to God.
Blessings;
Ralph
I have studyed prayer for many years. prayer is my heart. one thing i’ve learned is it is very easy to bring our “laundry list” of i wants to GOD but not so easy to LISTEN to HIM. if we look at prayer as we do our marriage or friendship, etc if we don’t COMMUNICATE with our person, our relationship will die or stagnate. it’s so important to communicate with GOD.
Sherri – so true! Thank you for sharing
Sin must and will take a distant position in the lives of BSF participants
I feel the guidance provided to readers of his WORD when accepted offers the only path which will save our great nation from internal/ external distraction
Heart felt written and spoken the truth in love. Our great God is alive and he answers prayers and moves us forward in victorious.
Oh, but if the people of this world would come together in unity ! We have to keep on praying! Thank you for the encouragement this brings to my heart.
Our God can do anything!
Karen, well said and it’s so terribly important that we remember that our country can be lifted up by an army of prayer warriors. We must band together and never give up!
Blessings
Love this…I always need a reminder on our lives outside of our home. I am safe inside, but outside the world is in strife & mayhem. We are the soldiers of Christ inside praying and outside we must seek to witness. I have learned with BSF, I must read the Word every day, and witness whenever possible. Praying is essential ! This blog is beautifully written and a keeper. Thank you Karen
Great way to get Us started for a year of Biblestudy, worship and prayer. God’s blessings on all our sisters in Christ. Thank you BSF for never giving up on anyone, anywhere, no matter what Satan throws your way.
Thank you!
Thank you, Karen. How we need to hear this Truth, and PRAY! May God bless you as you serve Him!
Wonderful message! So encouraging.
Waiting to join
Hi I am emailing you and one of our member support agents to help you with this problem! You can also use join.bsfinternational.org to find a group near you if you have not already done so.
Thank you for this blog. Prayer is one of those things I do have difficulty with maybe because I am very shy.
Me too!