Friday: Further Thought – Practical Prayer
Daily Lesson for Friday 15th of May 2026
Further Thought:
“If we thought and talked more of Jesus, and less of self, we should have far more of His presence.”—Ellen White, Steps to Christ, p. 102
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen. But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts.”—Steps to Christ, Pages 96, 97.
“The soul may ascend nearer heaven on the wings of praise. God is worshiped with song and music in the courts above, and as we express our gratitude we are approximating to the worship of the heavenly hosts. . . . Let us with reverent joy come before our Creator, with ‘thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.’ Isaiah 51:3.”—Steps to Christ. p. 104.
Discussion Questions
|
Summary: The Bible shares accounts of individuals who had vibrant, abiding prayer lives and others who didn’t. As we search its pages, we’ll always find someone we can relate to, regardless of the state of our relationship with God. We’ll also find many, many promises that will encourage and guide us in our devotional lives. Spiritual growth should be our goal—our eyes fixed on Jesus, the ultimate Example in all things and the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Carmel and I would like to thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts. Her mother, Shirley, took her final breaths this afternoon, quietly and peacefully. She was just a month under 99 years old. She had a strong Christian faith and a wonderful sense of humour. She spent the last three years in a care home just a couple of minutes’ drive from where we live and we enjoyed bring her home and taking her for drives in the countryside. She shared God’s love with everyone she met. She was a great talker (like her daughter) and always had a kind word to say. Carmel and I were very privileged to have a Mother’s Day afternoon tea with her on Sunday where she laughed and joked and told stories about the family.
I started this week with the intention of writing a prayer in my comments every day. Events prevented me from doing that, But I would like to finish the week with a very personal prayer.
My condolonces and pray for God’s strength to the family.
Sincerest condolences, may the Lord comfort you and your family 🙏🏻
My condolences may the dear lord comfort family
Dear family, I would like to offer my condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. It is comforting to hear that she lived and left behind an example of a devout life. This gives hope for a reunion at the resurrection. May the Lord surround you with His loving arms and comfort you during these days of mourning.
May her soul rest in peace.
Condolences to you and Carmel, Maurice. Will keep you and your family in prayers. Thank God for the hope He has given us that we will see our loved ones again on that Great Getting Up Morning when He comes to take us home.
My sincere condolences, however what a blessed hope for that grand reunion in heaven. May we remain faithful as we look forward to our Lord’s second coming
Dear Maurice, please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your mother-in-law. May you keep the precious memories of the life she lived in your heart. I pray for God’s comfort for you and Carmel at this time.
May God continue to bless you and encourage you as you contribute your wisdom to ssnet.org please accept our sincere condolences on your loss🙏❣️💞
Now that is a beautiful prayer of gratitude and confidence in our God.
May God send his angel to attend to your family, console you and Carmel and give you the strength to bear the loss… until that ressurection morning when the ressurected and the living saints will be caught up together to meet our Savior in the skies, keep keeping the faith.
I pause Maurice to express my condolences on the passing of your Mother-in-law. May she rest in peace. We look forward with you that great Resurrection Day.
Dear Maurice – loosing “mom” and “dad” is a heart-wrenching experience. As children, we are so very intimately connected to our parents. Unable to meet with them any longer causes a very special pain. May God grant you and yours your prayer’s request.
Praise God for the peaceful exit of your mother in love. She lived life of a real Christian that glorified Christ`s name. As you have prayed, may we live life that will enable us to meet with her on that glorious day, and with Christ she lived for. May the Lord console you all.
My condolences to your family. Praying that God give you and your family the strength to endure.
Even though no words will be able to ease the pain of your loss, just know that you, Maurice and Carmel, are in my thoughts and prayers! ❤️
My sincere condolences to your family.
Praying that God will help you as you strive to continue her example of humility.
We pray and lift your family in prayer. May God hold abd confort you during this moments.
My heartfelt condolences to you, Carmel, and your families. May her mother’s memory forever be a blessing to all those she knew and loved. 🙏🏾❤️❤️
It is my desire to meet you Maurice and your family some day soon in heaven. Condolences! God bless you and your family.
Reading your post made me think of something I wanted to say on a different note: what an incredible gift from God it is to have the kind of life you described. I am currently going through very difficult times myself, and I’m part of a support group where so many people are carrying unimaginable pain, grief, isolation, loss, and constant stress. A peaceful, faith-filled Christian life and a peaceful home are truly priceless gifts from God.
As a mental health professional and an advocate for children’s safety, I can wholeheartedly say that there is so much brokenness and turmoil in this world. A stable, loving, peaceful life is an oasis that many people long for but cannot even imagine having. Your post was a beautiful reminder not to take those blessings for granted.
Condolences for your loss and praise for a life well-lived for God.
My sincere condolences.
In the worldly view, there is probably nothing more useless, impractical, intangible, and unproductive than prayer. Yet God commands us to pray because prayer tests our trust in Him, our patience in waiting upon Him, and our perseverance through every season. Prayer remains one of the most untapped resources of the believer’s life; it is largely unexplored, even though it is where untold treasures remain unearthed. We talk about prayer more than almost anything else, yet often practice it less than anything else. This week has put into perspective the true significance of prayer, reminding us that it remains one of the greatest gifts God has given us outside of salvation. Prayer is not merely a duty but a blessing and privilege through which we commune with God, receive His peace, strength, and direction. As Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not,” and Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to bring everything to God in prayer so that His peace may guard our hearts and minds.
Wow. Thank you for this reminder. Amen and amen.
To let our fears and wories
lead us to God instead of away from Him is an important lesson. We also need to trust and be confident in His love for us.These are my inspirations from the first quote.
I am deeply concerned about hearing from God when I pray. To my understanding talking to my God should not be a monolouge. Yes I do have burning issues about which I intend to share passionatelty with Him , and about which I would like Him to promptly and clearly respond.
I believe, I have as his child the right to hear from Him, and even, with some degree of promptness. The Apostle Paul prayed just three times concerning a particular problem that he described as a “thorn in his flesh” and our Lord answered him stating that “His grace was sufficient for him, for His grace was made perfect in weakness.”
My concern is that much emphasis is given to the aspect of prayer that involves talking to God and not enough is given to the aspect of listening to God. We have the right as believers to HEAR from God. Our God is not an idol. He is alive and real. In my lifetime I have seen the world transformed from receiving a telegram to taking up a Cell phone and speaking to someone in “Timbuktu”. Don’t tell me I can’t hear from God.
I want to know that like St Paul who prayed just three times concerning “a thorn in his flesh” that like him I would receive a response from the Lord. I need to hear his Voice. At this stage of my life I still have life changing decisions to make and I need His guidance.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Quoting the statement found in “Summery”: “Spiritual growth should be our goal – our eyes fixed on Jesus, the ultimate Example in all things and the Author and Finisher of our faith.” If I understand this correctly, the author places ‘prayer and praying’ in the context of ongoing spiritual growth.
‘Spiritual growth’ is the lifelong, ongoing process of learning to see and experience the ‘born-again’ life through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 3:18 ”But grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the Glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
I have come to understand the born-again believer’s life to be an ongoing prayer – consciously and subconsciouly engaged in and experienced. I observed/learned that a practical prayer is prompted through the by the Holy Spirit ‘touched heart’, recognized by the mind, and, if at all possible, responded to with actions. If direct actions are not possible, the prayer stays within the heart, lingering in the background of the mind as an ongoing prayer.
I learned that ‘living in the Kingdom of God’ is the state of ongoing prayer – our heart’s ongoing spiritual awareness of that which needs God’s attention. The redeemed life engages in active faith through prayer.
1Thess.5:17 – ”Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
We experience our life from the perspective of being in Christ Jesus. It is the born-again believer’s receptive and willing heart which communes with God throughout the Day.
I cannot accomplish anything without the Lord’s permission. My life is totally a miracle because He allows it to be. Dependence on the Creator is one of the first steps to happiness!
Sincere Condolences goes out to you and Carmel, and the extended family. May God grant the strength, courage and comfort during this specific time. We continue to pray for the family, God blessings always.