Trust and Faith · Promises of God
How sad when “Pray for me” becomes a routine
4 min read, approximately
Luke 18:1
“Jesus also told them a parable about the need to pray always and not lose heart.”
Day by day we face situations in which our faith is tested in different ways. Yet it is vital that, as children of God, we understand the power of prayer, that we should draw near to Dad to tell him what is happening to us so that we may receive help at the right time (Hebrews 4:16).
Dad will always deliver us from our distress when we tell him what is happening to us
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and delivers them from all their distress. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those with a contrite spirit. The afflictions of the righteous are many, but the Lord delivers them from them all.” (Psalms 34:17-19)
Indeed, it is good and pleasing to pray for one another
“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church, and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed sins, they will be forgiven. Confess your offenses to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of the righteous has great power.” (James 5:14-16)
So much so
“that if you have faith like a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain: Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20b)
for example:
“Elijah was a man with feelings like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. He prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:17)
Friends, prayer has power!!
All of this reminds us that we have no excuse! And if we do not know how
“…in the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what we ought to ask for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with indescribable groans. The one who searches hearts knows the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to God’s will.” (Romans 8:26-27)
For reflection
So how is it possible for a child of God to:
- find a reason not to pray?
- feel moved to ask a fellow believer to pray for them when they never do so themselves?
- not cry out to Dad (Jeremiah 33:3)?
- watch their family fall apart and not intercede for them?
- still believe today that God does not hear them?
- see the problem, the circumstance, or the illness before their eyes and do nothing?
- not delight in prayer?
- let laziness keep them from praying?
- not set aside a few minutes to speak with Dad each day?
- watch what others are saying while everyone prays, and themselves… do nothing?!!
- need to be told that they should pray every day?!!
- still call themselves a child of God and feel no desire to have communion with Dad?!!!
How sad when “Pray for me” becomes a routine… Coldness? Laziness? Lack of repentance?
“But I have this against you: you have left your first love. Remember, then, from where you have fallen, repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you soon and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5)
Let us not waste the wonderful opportunity we have today to enjoy communion with the Lord.
_**Remember to stop by the Songbook
May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to have an excellent day in Christ Jesus!