When we suddenly need strong faith, our faith proves feeble and wavering because we have exercised it so little. God in His mercy may still hear us, but our hearts feel guilty for so neglecting Him and disobeying him in our prayer life.
We need to ask His forgiveness instantly. Remember, forgiveness can be received in a moment if we truly repent and take steps now to do God's will. But power in prayer is not restored in a moment. Normally, it is the result of faithfulness in a life of prayer.
God keeps a record not only of our thoughts and words but also of our prayers. Ravenhill writes,
"I believe most of us will need the tears wiped from
our eyes when the books are opened at the judgment
bar of God, and our personal record is read."
[Ravenhill, Revival Praying, 54.]
When you and I stand with Christ in eternity, perhaps the most amazing feature of our lives as we look back will be our prayerlessness.
"If there are any regrets in heaven, the greatest will
be that we spent so little time in real intercession."
(An Unknown Christian, The Kneeling Christian
[Grand Rapids, Zondervan, n.d., 26].
If, as Andrew Murray taught, Christ intended prayer to be the great power by which His church would do its work, then certainly the neglect of prayer by the church is the greatest reason for its powerlessness.
He added,
"Satan will bring forth all his power to prevent us
from becoming men of prayer." [Murry, Ministry
of Intercession, 12; idem, Prayer Life, 127]
How disappointed God is with the spiritual life of pastor and people when they are weak in prevailing prayer and the prayer of faith. God has given us no greater means of bringing down His blessing and power upon our lives and work.
There is probably no single sin that you and I ought to acknowledge with deeper shame than the sin of prayerlessness.
Perhaps never in the history of the church have we church leaders and our congregations been busier and more organized in church activity.
But where is the power that attracts the unsaved, that causes them to tremble in the presence of God, that brings them to real repentance and transformed lives, and that then makes them a part of an actively witnessing community?
Being busy is not enough. We must be blessed and empowered, used mightily by God.
Never has the cause of God needed more visible illustration of the possibilities and power of prayer than does the church in our age. It is prayer power that makes saints and that produces holy character, ethical living, and fruitful witnessing.
God forgive our prayerlessness and call us all again to a life of prevailing prayer.
(Google image and my emphasis added)
#19 You will Regret Prayerlessness
by Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 33-34) Zondervan
Today's Bible verse: 1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Our question today: "John exhorts the believers to NOT LOVE the world. He isn't talking about the physical world, or the people in the world. What does he mean?
Answer: It is the pursuit of possessions or experiences that are in themselves healthy and of God, but pursuing them in a way that is contrary to His will." (Taken from our 40 Days of Fellowship: With God and Man, a small group study #5).
Today's quotes: "Because of the fall, you are genetically predisposed to certain strengths or weaknesses and are influenced by the physical and spiritual atmosphere in which you were raised.
These conditions can contribute toward causing someone to struggle with particular sin. Ask the Lord to show you specifically what sins are characteristic of your family." (p. 240 in Neil T. Anderson's book , The Bondage Breaker)
Our question today: "John exhorts the believers to NOT LOVE the world. He isn't talking about the physical world, or the people in the world. What does he mean?
Answer: It is the pursuit of possessions or experiences that are in themselves healthy and of God, but pursuing them in a way that is contrary to His will." (Taken from our 40 Days of Fellowship: With God and Man, a small group study #5).
Today's quotes: "Because of the fall, you are genetically predisposed to certain strengths or weaknesses and are influenced by the physical and spiritual atmosphere in which you were raised.
These conditions can contribute toward causing someone to struggle with particular sin. Ask the Lord to show you specifically what sins are characteristic of your family." (p. 240 in Neil T. Anderson's book , The Bondage Breaker)
Unceasing Prayer
by Max Lucado
Unceasing prayer may sound complicated, but it needn’t be that way. Do this. Think of prayer less as an activity for God and more as an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness.
As you stand in line to register your car, think, “Thank you, Lord, for being here.” In the grocery store as you shop, think, “Your presence, my King, I welcome.” As you wash the dishes, worship your Maker.
Brother Lawrence called himself the “lord of all pots and pans.” He wrote, “The time of busy-ness does not with me differ from
the time of prayer; and in the clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon knees at the blessed sacrament.”
So talk to God, always. Besides, it makes more sense to talk to God than mumble to yourself!"
From Max on Life
As you stand in line to register your car, think, “Thank you, Lord, for being here.” In the grocery store as you shop, think, “Your presence, my King, I welcome.” As you wash the dishes, worship your Maker.
Brother Lawrence called himself the “lord of all pots and pans.” He wrote, “The time of busy-ness does not with me differ from
the time of prayer; and in the clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon knees at the blessed sacrament.”
So talk to God, always. Besides, it makes more sense to talk to God than mumble to yourself!"
From Max on Life
Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com
Let's pray-
Father, help us become faithful to pray, so when we need to have strong faith, our faith proves and unwavering.
May we not be so caught up in our busy-ness, that we neglect this most important aspect of Christianity.
Help us remember that it is prayer power that makes saints and that produces holy character, ethical living, and fruitful witnessing.
I ask this in the Name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
May we not be so caught up in our busy-ness, that we neglect this most important aspect of Christianity.
Help us remember that it is prayer power that makes saints and that produces holy character, ethical living, and fruitful witnessing.
I ask this in the Name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Upcoming posts:
#20 We can be Saved from Prayerlessness
25th- Thursday’s post by Wesley L. Duewel
Why Lord?
27th- Saturday's post by Andrea Merrell
Reflections
28th- Sunday evening's post by James H. Cagle
#21 The Prevailing Christ
3/1st- Tuesday's post by Wesley L. Duewel
25th- Thursday’s post by Wesley L. Duewel
Why Lord?
27th- Saturday's post by Andrea Merrell
Reflections
28th- Sunday evening's post by James H. Cagle
#21 The Prevailing Christ
3/1st- Tuesday's post by Wesley L. Duewel
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