Awaken The Dawn

Deep Personal Satisfaction, Joy and Power

Lord. It seemed that the church had been torpedoed mid- ship! Finally, after three years, we moved into the com- pleted sanctuary. How we prayed during those difficult days. We depended on whatever money we could get each week just to keep the construction going. It was as if we lived daily from His hand to our mouths. Looking back, it was one of the most wonderful times of my life. God really does cause good. Sometimes He manipulates situations so it results in an even greater good. But the message is clear: depend on Him so He can work in our behalf. Secret #6. Make Your Requests with Thanksgiving. Thankfulness is a pleasant state of mind. It implies both gratitude for something and to somebody. Since thank- fulness is mentioned so consistently with prayer, it may be the highest form of expressed faith. To appreciate and be grateful for something as yet unmaterialized must evoke in God the most pleasant feelings. One of the things I wrestled with the most in the first years of early morning prayer was the troublesome prob- lem of ministerial jealousy. Whether you’re a business person, a homemaker, or a student, I am sure there are certain people who irritate you. Please identify with me in my situation and see if the application can work to resolve your own vexation. I am truly embarrassed to even bring this up, but this sixth secret has meant so much to me that I must share how God worked in prayer to change my heart. It should not be the case, of course, but often, pastors do worry too much about other churches and preachers in town. One hears of great blessing on the church across town, what

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