jeffg

hi To have a broken heart and spirit means an attitude of openess to God recognizing that nothing good lives within us apart from God. This type of prayer is the attitude of heart that God desires so he can bless us. Often we resist having a "broken and contrite heart" because of our pride and the desire to earn forgiveness by good works and not merely recieve it from a gracious and loving God. Jeff

hi Yes it is possible to have a pure heart. A pure heart is NOT acheived by cleaning up our hearts but by God creating a new heart within us. It requires us to turn away from the sinful desires of our old heart and recieve a new heart from God. It is interesting to not that God called David "A man after my own heart". Jeff

hi David's prayer is an honest assessment of his actions and his sinfulness before God. If we underestimate our sinfulness or excuse ourselves we have not truly confessed our sins. When we acknowledge our sins and our sinfulness we are then in a position to recieve God's forgiveness. Jeff

hi A prayer for pardon requires faith because it asks of God something we do not deserve. Our faith is based in the finished work of Christ on the cross and God's gracious character. We have confidence because of God's love which he pours out on us and Chist's love for us shown supremely in his sacrifice on the cross. Jeff

hi Abraham asked 6 times for God to spare Sodom because of the righteous people who lived there. Each time reducing the number of righteous people that would be needed for God to spare the city. God answered His first request affirmatively yet Abraham persisted in his reqest 5 more times to save Lot and his family. I have experienced "praying through" (though not often enough). It was a delight to see the way God affirmed my reqests in the outcome of the answers He gave. jeff

hi YES! Because Abraham elevated God's character by asking with boldness things consistant with God's character. When we approach God with humility and ask for things within His will, God delights in granting our requests. jeff

hi Abraham says of himself that he is nothing but dust and ashes when stands before God and he asks permission to speak to God. Even when he would be bold to ask for Lot's protection, he asks permission to speak. God is holy and just and we are but dust and ashes. Yet God invites us into a relationship with him as father and offers to grant our requests. jeff

hi A braham appeals to God's justice that he would not sweep away the righteous with the wicked. God is just and God could not act as an unrighteous judge. "shall not the judge of all the earth do right" jeff.

Hi I believe that God has a flexibility which means that while he always operates in a way that consistant with his character and his promises he does listen to our prayers and He can meet our heart's desires. God cannot move outside the scope of His will. He gives good gifts to his children. To illustrate this proposition may i ask the question. Would God give us a snake if we asked for it? Jeff

hi If we have a strong fatalistic veiw of God and his plan for us we could not pray boldly as Moses did, we would merely be able to pray a meek "Thy will be done" If our prayers make no difference that there would be no reason to pray at all. God is intimately involved in our moment by moment life giving us all that sustains us and the universe. Jeff

hi 1 Moses cared for the people he was leading he did not want them destroyed so presented his desires to God pleading for the people. 2. Moses appealed to God reminding Him that these were His people that He was about to destroy. He appealed to God's reputation and His name amoungst the Egyptians. He then specifically asked God to turn away His anger from His people. 3. When God makes a promise He will keep that promise. When we claim that promise God is faithful and keeps His promise to bring about his will. 4. If we know God's promises and His will as contained in scriptures we can pray effectively within God's plan. Jeff

Hi The primary consideration in this passage must be the Holiness of God. The people had turned away from God and worshipped idols. Claiming that the idol had saved them out Egypt. How could a loving God not be angry? God's love offers us care and protection to reject God means we reject God's love his care and protection. God was justified in destroying a people who had rejected Him and the covenant that God had made with Abraham. Jeff

Hi We need to continually ask for forgiveness because we are continually sinful. Christ death on the croos dealt with the power of sin but we need continually be cleansed of our sin. If we hold unforgiveness in our hearts towards others then according to Matthew 6:14-15 God will not forgive our sins. When we are able to fogive others we have the attitude of Christ and God will bless us.

Hi The world constantly tells us to "stand on your own feet, don't rely on others" Be independant! I personally find it hard to rely on others, i tend to do things without asking others to help. I know that I cannot live without God's help and all I have is because of Him. This part of the bible study was a real challenge to me. I have been asking each day for "my daily bread" because I now realize that all I am and that I have is because of God's love for me. Jeff

Hi When we ask "thy kingdom come" we are asking for God to reign in our hearts so that we will reflect God's Glory to those around us. As god's will is demonstrated by the way we live others will ask for the reason for the hope that is in us (see 1Peter3:15). Our lives should reflect God's Glory and we should live lives of obediance and faithfulness. Jeff