I am excited about this book by Pastor Kenny Carr - Lord Teach Us to Pray...Prayer Journal. Brother Kenny doesn't just preach, write or talk about prayer - he prays. This resource is one of the finest I have seen to help any Christian develop a consistent, powerful, victorious prayer life. Steve Gaines, PhD Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, TN President of the Southern Baptist Convention Blessings and Greetings to you Friend, I am so excited to share with you this Prayer Journal! One of my greatest struggles through these years of walking with Jesus is in the area of prayer. I know that the spiritual warfare that Satan wages on God's children reaches its highest level in the area of prayer. That, along with my attention issues, has made it very difficult for me to stay focused as I talk with and listen to my Lord. I do not know if you, like I, have experienced your mind going to tasks and "need to do's" as you try to spend time in prayer. Several years ago I attended a meeting in Nashville, Tn., with a small group of pastors, led by Dr. Steve Gaines. I am not sure about the others, but God met me personally through his message concerning our "praying like it matters" that radically changed my prayer life! On my face before the Lord, I gave myself to the purpose of going deeper in prayer. We were given a copy of Dr. Gaines book, Pray Like It Matters. I received that, appropriated that, and the result has become my most treasured time with God each day. This journal has been greatly beneficial to me in utilizing the principles of Praying Like It Matters, and staying focused during my time of daily prayer. One night one of Jesus' disciples asked Him as He finished a time of prayer to teach them to pray. Jesus responded with what is now known as the "Model Prayer". In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13) Each statement is like railroad tracks that keep me focused during my prayer time. I am not suggesting that you read every verse, or complete all prayer points every day. However, if extended prayer times is a new area of your spiritual growth process, it may be beneficial for you to slow down and see what God has shown us in the "Why's" and behind the "What's" in His Word. I suggest you take your time; don't try to finish it all every day; just enjoy the time you have with the Father as you worship, offer petitions, intercede for others, and listen. By the way, the battle for my prayer time still rages! Blessings, and may your intimacy with our LORD abound in Love and Grace! Secure In Christ Alone, Pastor Kenny Carr
About the Author: Pastor Kenny Carr was born on March 28th, 1963, at Henry County Medical Center in Paris, TN. As a child, Kenny joined the church that his family attended, but recalls that he had no idea what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. After graduating from Henry County High School in 1981, lost and empty, Kenny found out quickly that the party scene offered nothing to fill the emptiness of his heart. After relocating to Memphis, Tn. Kenny recalls purchasing a Bible and beginning to read it at night. One night he read through Romans, and came to Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Kenny recalls, "That night, unlike any other, I became acutely aware of my sin, realized that Jesus loved me so much, while I cared absolutely nothing about Him. He loved me enough to be punished for me. Through many tears, I gave my life to Him that night, and accepted His great gift of Salvation!" During recovery from a back injury and subsequent surgery, God led Kenny to his precious wife, Jackie. They met in October, Kenny proposed in November, and they married on February 21, 1987. Kenny and Jackie surrendered to the ministry in 1988 and Kenny began pastoring New Hope Baptist Church that same year. Pastor Kenny graduated from Union University in 1997, with a BA in Religion, and from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2002 with a Masters of Divinity. After serving three churches in 12 years, God led Pastor Kenny to Long Heights in 2000. Kenny states, "We have seen vision become reality in these past seventeen years". "I feel privileged to be pastoring this great church filled with the most wonderful people in the world." Pastor Kenny and Mrs. Jackie have two children. Derek and his wife Shelley live in Martin, Tn., where Derek is Pass Game Coordinator and Wide Receiver Coach at his Alma Mater, The University of Tennessee Martin, in Martin TN. Their daughter Kelsey is in her fourth year as a Dr. of Pharmacy student at the University Tennessee Memphis School of Pharmacy Nashville Branch. Kelsey lives in Brentwood, Tennessee.