The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. I wonder how many of us pray without ceasing. I pray often throughout the day. I pray for our country, our leadership and in particular the president and his team of advisors, and for our soldiers who are putting everything on the line to keep the rest of us safe. I pray for my family and friends, and those whom I know who are suffering and have needs. I pray for The Jesus Alliance and that I may have the leadership qualities to lead it properly so it can unite believers around the world, equip them with a strategic plan and resources, mobilize them to work together, and take specific actions to serve and glorify Jesus Christ.
I pray that people will come to know the Lord and be saved prior to the end of the road. During prayer I also praise God’s holy, righteous and glorious name. I thank Him for sending Jesus. I thank Jesus for taking my place on the cross. I apologize for my sins and ask forgiveness. I ask Him to assist me in forgiving those who have sinned against me and to put their deeds against me out of my mind. I ask Him to strengthen my faith and my patience, and to help me resist temptation. I have identified some nasty habits and traits that I have, and I ask for His help to overcome them. I identify perplexing problems that I have and ask for help with them as well.
I have seen my prayers answered so many times that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that prayer works. Sometimes we have to wait for an answer, but be persistent. The Bible tells us to keep praying and petitioning until we eventually succeed. I would be remiss if I did not point out that we must also be patient. God is on His own timetable. We answer to Him; He does not answer to us. He will answer our prayers when He is ready. He is the most powerful, awesome and holy entity in all of creation who spoke our existence into being; something to keep in mind when we approach Him.
God deserves our utmost respect and admiration. We should not question His judgement, particularly when we pray for something and the answer is no. (Imagine that! God does not always give us what we ask for.) God has His reasons and they are always for a good purpose.
Most of all God deserves and desires our love. No earthly father could ever love a son/daughter as God loves us. He loves us in spite of our disobedience and our faults and weaknesses. He wants fellowship with us and has gone to unthinkable lengths to provide a way for us to be with Him forever. Fellowship with God begins with prayer. It is essential. Jesus prayed often and He is our living example of what we should do.
Phil. 4:6
Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving,
let your requests be known to God.
May 26, 2016 – Click here to listen