I really thought there were material things in this life that were important. I saw people living in luxurious furnishings. I saw their fine cars and their exclusive clothing. That seemed important, for a moment at least. Then I saw something else. I saw that so many who had\u00a0all these things were living empty lives. I saw them grasping for some measure of happiness. I saw them looking into the bottle to give them\u00a0some relief from their worried business deals. I saw them involved in extramarital affairs to bring them to “completeness.” I saw all of this in the lives of people who worked in the office where I worked. Then I looked at humble, dedicated Christians — members of the congregation where I preached. I saw the genuine joy and rich fulfillment that was evident in that new convert. And then I prayed … “O God, forgive me for my longings for the material things in life! Forgive me for my envy of the unrighteous and their possessions … ! O God, help me to be like that newborn Christian in being totally happy in my relationship with You. Make me a simple servant of Yours.”<\/p>\n
I watched a child at play. He had no worries about what he would eat, what he would wear, or where he would live. He had a father and mother who he knew would care for him. He was so contented and happy. And then then I prayed … “O God, make me like that little child. Help me always to remember that, I, too, have a father who will provide all I will ever need if I seek Him and His will first. Help me to be like that little child in contentment and peace of mind. Help me to always have the trust in my heavenly Father that he has in his father. O God, make me like that little child.”<\/p>\n
I sometimes wonder if my life should be a life of preaching. I thought maybe I should go some other way. But I looked about me and saw the crying need for the word to be taught to sinners mid saints alike. And then I prayed … “O God, help me to see the fields that are white unto harvest. Help me to know that my lot in life is to preach and teach your word. Help me to do the work of an evangelist, to make full proof of my ministry. Help me to be content in whatever financial state I am in.”<\/p>\n
I believe in the power of prayer. God truly hears my petitions. I am content with my station in life. I have all and abound. I have no compulsion for what the world has to offer. I have the riches of His mercy. I have the forgiveness of sins. I have the hope of heaven. And I have sufficient for living in this world! I would not exchange the pulpit for a throne! I looked at all this … And then I prayed … “O God, don’t let me become arrogant with these blessings. Please help me to be humble before you ‘all the days of my life! Help me to realize that someday I can exchange my life for a heavenly crown. O Lord, I love you so. Help me to show it every day that I live.”<\/p>\n
Note: Brother Moyer submitted this article before he passed away. He’s made his exchange.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Forrest D. Moyer Sentry Magazine, March 2002 I really thought there were material things in this life that were important. I saw people living in luxurious furnishings. I saw their fine cars and their exclusive clothing. That seemed important, for a moment at least. Then I saw something else. I saw that so many…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[385,1510,536],"class_list":["post-32012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-contentment","tag-prayers","tag-preaching"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":38053,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/preaching-and-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":32012,"position":0},"title":"Preaching and Prayer","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 20, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Dennis Allan Christianity Magazine March 1989 Considering the role of prayer in the life and work of New Testament preachers will challenge us to greater devotion and closer communion with God. The significance of prayer among early saints can be traced to Jesus, where we will focus our attention\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":31778,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/your-article-helped-clarify-when-to-stop-praying\/","url_meta":{"origin":32012,"position":1},"title":"Your article helped clarify when to stop praying","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Good morning and praise the Lord! I have had a question burning inside for a while about praying for\u00a0a man who says he wants to be a Christian. I am not to judge him. I am also not to give pearls to the swine. The situation got really confusing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":49297,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/thoughts-and-prayers\/","url_meta":{"origin":32012,"position":2},"title":"Thoughts and Prayers","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 6, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Matthew W. Bassford People in our society say lots of dumb things. Surely among the most foolish, though, are the denials of the power of prayer. This usually comes up after mass shootings, when conservatives send \"thoughts and prayers\" on behalf of the victims' families. In reply, progressives sneer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/prayer-300x200.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19454,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-can-i-pray-without-doubt-when-i-know-that-sometimes-i-wont-get-what-i-prayed-for\/","url_meta":{"origin":32012,"position":3},"title":"How can I pray without doubt when I know that sometimes I won’t get what I prayed for?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 14, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I have a question about prayer.\u00a0 I understand that the Bible states that when we pray, we are to let our requests to God be given in faith,\u00a0 believing that we will receive. So if I pray that God will help me through a difficult time or give me\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":29528,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/jesus-and-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":32012,"position":4},"title":"Jesus and Prayer","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Jesus as Our Intercessor The intercession of the Holy Spirit does not set aside the intercession of Jesus Christ. \"And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20102,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/learning-the-secret-of-contentment\/","url_meta":{"origin":32012,"position":5},"title":"Learning the Secret of Contentment","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Ken Green \u201cNot that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content\u201d (Philippians 4:11, ESV). 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