“Prayer involves transformed passions. In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God's thoughts after Him: to desire the things He desires, to love the things He loves, to will the things He wills . . . If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others.” – Richard J. Foster

“In our praying, we should speak to God about Himself - that is praise; or about His gifts - that is thanksgiving; or about other people - that is intercession; or about our sins - that is confession and penitence; or about our needs - that is petition. Prayer has five fingers, like a hand, and each in turn must be pointed to God, that our prayer may be full and complete.” -- F. W. Kates

“It matters little what form of prayer we adopt or how many words we use. What matters is the faith which lays hold on God, knowing that He knows our needs before we even ask Him. That is what gives Christian prayer its boundless confidence and its joyous certainty.” -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“You have to pray. You have to listen to the voice who calls you the beloved, because otherwise you will run around begging for affirmation, for praise, for success. And then you’re not free.” – Henri Nouwen

God Wants Us to Pray...

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 Timothy 2:8
I want people everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

On Learning to Pray...

Luke 11:1
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

On Corporate Prayer...

Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Acts 6:4
... and (we) will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word."

On Prayer for Help and Healing...

Acts 28:8
His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him.

James 5:13
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

1 Timothy 2:1
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone

On Developing a Prayer Life...

Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

On God Listening...

Psalm 17:6
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.

1 Peter 3:12a
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.

On Prayer as Worship...

Revelation 8:3
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.

Prayer Throughout Time...

Exodus 9: 29
Moses replied, "When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD . The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's. 

NEED PRAYER?
You can telephone (610.696.7466) or email a prayer concern or celebration (secretary@bcwc.org) and your message will go out through our phone and email chains to everyone in our community of faith.