May 6, 2020
Our theme for the devotionals this week has been centered around “PRAYER”. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. You hear people say all the time, “What’s the use? I’ve prayed and prayed and nothing seems to happen”.
One of the reasons we do without certain things in life is because we fail to pray. (James 4:2) …yet ye have not, because ye ask not. This is why we should be faithful in our prayer life and obey the Word of God when it says to (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Pray without ceasing.
James 4:3 tells us another reason we don’t receive the things we pray for. Oftentimes we pray for the wrong things and/or we have the wrong motives behind what we are asking God for. (James 4:3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
The key to having a successful prayer life is to pray according to God’s Will. Jesus instructed us how to pray when he gave his disciples the “model prayer”. (Matthew 6:10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Some call this the “Lord’s Prayer”, but the Lord’s prayer was when He prayed the night before He was tried and crucified. By the way, He also prayed according to the will of His Father. (Luke 22:42) Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Another thing that stands out to me is that our prayer life is linked together inseparably to our faith. Praying without believing is a waste of time. (Hebrews 11:6) …for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jesus said that whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. (Matthew 21:22) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
So, let’s try to bring this complex subject of prayer all together for us.
- If you neglect to pray and ask God, don’t get disappointed when you don’t receive anything (you have not because you ask not).
- Continually be in a state of prayer (pray without ceasing).
- Be sure that you are not selfish in your praying (don’t ask for things based on your lustful desires).
- Always pray according to God’s will not your own will.
- Pray with faith believing.
Then finally, continue in prayer and watch and see what God can do with thanksgiving.
(Colossians 4:2) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving
(1 Peter 4:7) But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Praying for you amidst the storms of life,
Bro. Rick
