H. L. Sheppard
Bulletin
October 2007
Song 6:3 “I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine:
he feedeth among the lilies.”
Strolling
dreamily along some flower-strewn lane, they wander; hand in hand, heart in
heart. Caught away in the ecstasy of the moment they are oblivious to sweetly
trilling birds, translucent blue skies or the powder puff clouds that float
lazily overhead. Lost in a romantic intertwinement of ardent passion, nothing
matters to him, but her; nothing matters to her, but him. They are irresistibly, conspicuously captured
by a boundless love that leaves the poets pen dry and the bard himself groping
for words.
In prayer,
God and His people are utterly preoccupied with each other. They do not hear the telephone's ring or the
neighbor's knock. Life's manifold
distractions, even necessities, become secondary and unimportant when a saint
is in sweet fellowship with Jesus Christ.
While courting His beloved, God seems to have no other business. Such is their mutual devotion during times
transfixed within the precious sanctity of sincere prayer.
Such is the devotion of
prayer.
ARE YOU PRACTICING HIS
PRESENCE?
REMEMBER that October is 'Prayer
& Fasting' month. For the entire month special emphasis is placed upon the
necessity of prayer and fasting. Ministers are asked to fast three days each
week and pray one hour each day. All members are asked to fast two days per
week and pray thirty minutes each day. Prayer has always been the prelude to
Revival.
If you do not have a regular daily routine
of prayer, now is an excellent time to start. You are encouraged to discipline
yourself to pray for five minutes each morning, or immediately after rising
from sleep. It is a well-documented fact that any activity performed
consistently for thirty consecutive days becomes a habit. Prayer is a wonderful
and fulfilling habit to develop. Not only is it pleasing to God, prayer enables
men to access heavenly resources that are available only to those who give
themselves to effectual fervent prayer:
James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."