TOPIC: Pray On!
MEMORISE: Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
BIBLE READING: Luke 18:1-8
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
MESSAGE:
One of the lessons I learnt from my children while they were growing up was persistence in making requests. If they needed anything from me, they would sometimes send their youngest sibling to ask me, even during my prayer times. Initially, I would not budge, but his persistence would interrupt my prayer, and I would be forced to grant his request So that I could focus on my prayers.
Similarly, God responds to His children who depend on Him alone and have no alternative. The widow in today’s Bible reading moved the judge to rule in her favour simply because she was persistent in her request. Eventually, the judge avenged her of her enemies.
My dear child, don’t gamble with your prayer life. Have a journal where you list your requests and the answers you are expecting from God. As you ask fervently with supplication and thanksgiving, I decree that you will receive blessings beyond your wildest imaginations, in the mighty name of Jesus.
KEY POINT:
Keep praying until something happens.
HYMN: 22 – Sweet Hour Of Prayer! Sweet Hour Of Prayer!
1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:2 Samuel 2:12-3:39, John 13:1-30
AUTHRS: PASTOR E.A ADBOYE AND PASTOR FOLU ADEBOYE