August 12, 2012

Prayer: August 8, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8, 2012.

PRAYER

DEFINITION:

A supplication to God; entreaty; petition; conversation with God, in praise, thanksgiving or intercession.

SCRIPTURE:

Now He was telling them a parable to show that all the times they ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We have written several devotionals on prayer but this time we want to share with you some thoughts on unanswered prayer. In this parable found in Luke 18:1-8, Jesus talks about a thoroughly wicked and unjust judge and the frustrations of a widow who had repeatedly asked the judge for justice against an enemy who had wronged her. The judge had refused. Often we may pray and wait for a long time for an answer. God may delay for a long time but when He delays He does so for a good reason. When He does act He will act according to His will and what is best for us. It is often quick and in an unexpected way.

One of the biggest struggles most believer’s have is the issue of unanswered prayer. Maybe you can relate because we do. You ask God to rescue a friend from some sort of addiction, to grant salvation to a family member, to heal a sick child or to mend a relationship. All of these things you feel are in the will of God. Possibly you have prayed for years and still no answer, you hear nothing from God and you see no results. Your friend still has the addiction problem, your family members still have not accepted Christ and the child you have been praying for still is very sick.

You remind the Lord daily of your requests because you know that He is all powerful and He can meet these needs. You plead and remind God that your request is real and you need an answer. When your prayer is unanswered you begin to doubt. Maybe you begin to think that He just does not hear you or you question how powerful He really is.

We may sometimes feel we are like the persistent widow in the parable that Jesus taught. She keeps coming to the judge, badgering him and trying to wear him down so that he will give in and give her the protection she is asking for. The judge neither feared God nor cared about people. (Luke 18:2) He lacked the two most important attributes to be a just judge. The women’s persistence caused the judge to relent. It was only because the woman did not give up that she received justice. God is a just God who always does what is right. What Jesus wants us to see in this parable is that if an unjust judge would respond to persistent pleas, how much more will God, who is not only just but loving and merciful, answer our persistent prayers. As He told His disciples we must pray at all times and never give up.

Our Lord expects us to keep on praying, trust Him and wait. Delay is not a denial, so keep on praying, and in God’s perfect timing He will answer your prayers and in His perfect way.

Patience is not a virtue of most of us so waiting is not easy. We must remember that God is in control and He is our Father and we are His children and He wants what is best for us.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 119:11.

Your Word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against You.

PRAYER:

Give me the stamina to keep praying day by day and not lose heart when my prayer is not answered quickly. Thank you that I am assured that You hear my prayers and that the answers will come in Your perfect time. Thank You that You have given me the privilege to bring my requests before Your throne of grace.


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