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Become Friends With Jesus - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 11, 2026
Jesus wants a relationship with you. He wants friendship with you. Christ died for His friends but also for His enemies on the cross. He allowed Himself to be a sacrifice for all of humanity and for all time. He did this because we human beings are sinners and our sin creates a barrier in our ability to step into God's presence. God cannot abide iniquity because He is holy, and as human beings continuously sin, the distance between them and the Lord grows.
But not if you become a friend of Christ. Those who choose this path receive a deposit of God's Holy Spirit, who helps them become more like Christ. And the more like Christ a person becomes each day - even if by only a smidge - the more pleased God is. And His blessings overflow all the more. Christ died to make this possible. He died to ensure every human being could be redeemed, washed clean to enjoy the more God has to give.
Christ loved His friends when He walked the earth. He helped Peter by healing His mother-in-law. He displayed His love for His friends Martha and Mary by crying with them over the death of their brother Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. He even called a paralyzed man 'friend' (Luke 5:20). This was someone He'd never met before, but when that man was lowered down a roof, he walked out of that house on his own legs. Friendship with Jesus had many benefits.
Are you wondering whether the benefits might come at too high a price? Maybe you don't want to give up certain things? That makes sense, but Jesus said the 'burden' of following Him is light (Matthew 11:30). When you choose Him, you get the Holy Spirit, who provides guidance. Perfection isn't required, just submission. The aim is to get you to heaven, so whatever is stripped away from you will be worth it. Besides, the consequences of not choosing Jesus are steeper than wanting Him in your life.
Maybe you don't think this message applies because you were born a Christian and regularly go to church. Alas, many Christians end up in hell because though they say they believe in Jesus, they haven't allowed His teachings to change them. Yes, they serve in church and help the poor. However, they also have ungodly ways such as habitually cheating on taxes, unforgiveness, or gossiping. Is this you? Then be intentional to choose Jesus and let Him wash you clean, so you start doing things God's way.
Perhaps you don't think you need to become friends with Jesus because you believe you are a good person and need nothing else. It is not wrong to be good, but God is calling all people to be godly. That can only happen when we have faith in Jesus as the Son of God and obey His teachings, which are God's instructions. In so doing, we choose to receive what He promised - the Holy Spirit - and we honor God's Spirit by letting Him lead us as our Guide.
In John 14:6, Jesus said that no one can come to God except through Him. You can gain this access and a closer relationship by saying the following prayer if you mean it: Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I repent for my sins. I believe that you are the Son of God. I believe that you came, you died, you rose again, and you paid the price for my sins. Today, I accept the new life, today I accept the Holy Spirit. Come dwell in me, make Your home in me. I will never be the same again. In Jesus' name, Amen.
God bless you and visit you in a unique way. Learn more about the new life you signed up for. There are great resources like sermons, books, and podcasts. But nothing will ever beat Bible study. Each time you study, ask God for understanding. He will make it come alive for you. Read about Jesus in the Book of Matthew and discover some fundamental truths in the Book of Romans. Also, don't ignore the Old Testament.
Make prayer a regular part of your life. Prayer is simply you talking to the Lord. He wants you to talk to Him. Tell Him about your day and your desires. Be sure to make time to hear what He says back to you. He can talk to you audibly, softly in your heart, in a song or show, and through people. Desire to hear Him, however He chooses to communicate. Get water baptized as quickly as you can and ask God to lead you to a church of His choosing.
And, if you've got questions about the New Life with Christ, please ask. When I became intentional to live as God's child, I talked to people who answered my questions, prayed with me, and more. By God's grace, there are sisters in this fellowship and I who can be a resource. Read the Testimony thread to see how God is answering the prayers of ordinary people who trust in Him. It is and shall be well with you, in Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
 Let's talk about being friends with Jesus. You can also learn more about it with the video in the Altar Call below this message.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day of fellowship at Your feet. Thank You for being God all by Yourself and doing what only You can do. Take all the glory.
Thank You for shielding Your sheep and teaching us all about becoming friends with Your Son, Jesus Christ. What an awesome opportunity to have a relationship with Your Son. That is how we get to have a relationship with You, the King of kings and Creator of the Universe. Thank You for the privilege.
You called Abraham Your friend and shared the unsearchable things with him. Till this day, You continue to do the same with people, drawing them into friendship and sharing Your mind and Your…
LAST 10 MINUTES
Let us thank God for those who gave their lives to Christ and for those who will later engage with today's message and choose Him.
Hallelujah! Heaven rejoices over every single soul that chooses Jesus, so we must also express gratitude for them.
Now let us also pray for those who have given their lives to Jesus that none will backslide and that they will walk in submission to the Holy Spirit.
Pray that God will always send His angels to lift them so that they do not hit any stones on their journey with Christ. Let the Lord lead you as you pray with zeal for these new and newly-returned believers.
If you are new to…
Dear God, we come before You knowing that You are the God with whom all is possible. Thank You for being the God who never fails.
Lord, remember the word contained in Psalm 105:42 - For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham.
Covenant Keeper, remember the promises You've made to Your children. Help them also to remember that You are not a man that You would lie. Nor are You capable of forgetting Your word.
Thank You for all You have done for Your people. Glory be unto You, now and always, Amen!
From JIR - Thank You Lord for answering my prayer for no calls to come through at my job so that I can focus on praise and pray, which is a miracle in itself! Thank You Lord for answering my prayer. I praise You! Miracle Worker! IJMN. Amen.
In the name of Jesus, I lift this nation up to the Lord. In the name of Jesus, I submit the soul of the nation to the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I call on the Lord to pour His Spirit out on the nation, IJMN, Amen.
Lord, today is September 11th, and it is a sad day in our nation's history. Thank You for the many people You showed mercy to on that day. The lives spared. I pray for those who continue to be impacted by that day. Let Your grace and peace rest upon them. May they remember their lost ones with smiles and not the burden of pain. Lord, do what only You can…