Your Daily Devotional for September 3, 2007

 

September 3,  2007

 

 

Continuing in Prayer

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

 

Hebrews 4:14-16

 

 

The British preacher Andrew Murray once said, "The effective prayer of faith comes from a life given up to the will and the love of God. Not as a result of what I try to be when praying, but because of what I am when I'm not praying, is my prayer answered by God."

 

Over the past few days we have seen how the first century church continued serving God even during persecution. We have seen that they were able to continue steadfastly because they were grounded in the Word of God and because they continued in godly fellowship with other Christians. Today we will see that they remained steadfast because they also continued in prayer.

 

We see in our verses today that God has given us the opportunity to boldly approach Him through prayer. You do not have to be someone of great importance to approach God; you simply must be His child. We can take our prayers before God and see them answered if we make sure our hearts are correct when praying.

 

We must have a confessed heart as we approach God. Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." We cannot have sin in our hearts and expect God to answer our prayers! God desires that we would come before Him with pure hearts. We must make sure our hearts are free of any sin that would hinder our prayers.

 

Also, we must take our requests before God in faith. In Matthew 8:8-10 we see that Jesus marvelled at the centurion's faith, "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." God marvels when we have great faith in Him. He desires that we would lay our requests before Him and trust that He will provide for us!

 

We should also pray according to God's will. Many times we can pray for something that we desire but never stop to seek God's will in the matter. First John 5:14 says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." When we pray for God's will to be done, He can open the doors of Heaven and pour out His blessing on us! We must focus our prayers on God's will.

 

The early church was a church that continued serving God and telling others of Him even during persecution. They were able to remain faithful to God as they remained faithful to prayer. They realized the importance of praying with pure hearts, in faith, and according to His will. Because they were faithful, God blessed them and helped them spread the Gospel to many different regions.

 

How is your prayer life today? Do you have sin in your life that is hindering God from blessing you? Do you pray in faith, believing that God is willing and able to answer your requests? And do you pray according to God's will? As we pray in agreement with God's Word, we will be able to continue serving God even when difficulties come. Spend time in prayer with God right now. Make sure nothing hinders your prayers as you seek His help today.

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Psalm 140-142 • 1 Corinthians 14:1-20

 

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