Praying and Not Losing Heart

"And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart." Luke 18:1

We have Jesus' words to his disciples about praying. They were always to consider prayer an option. Even in the worst of conditions they were to pray.

Think of situations where you might lose heart.

1. You have been praying a long time and are growing weary.
2. You believe the situation is not within God's realm of working.
3. You believe there is too great of an obstacle for an answer to your situation.
4. You don't know if you are using the right words.
5. You don't feel worthy to receive an answer.

Maybe you could name some other reasons for losing heart.

Jesus went on after these words to tell his disciples a parable about a widow coming before a judge to seek vindication. It was her persistence that won the day for her. We ought to have the same attitude in prayer. We are to continue praying for what we so fervently desire. It just might make a big difference, more than what we anticipated.

Praying Making a Qualitative Difference

Last Sunday I began my sermon series on prayer. I posed the question at the end of my message for conversation among the worshipers: "How might prayer make a qualitative difference in a person's life?"

I believe it's easy to think of prayer in terms of quantity: we pray for so many things and obtain so many things. But let's look deeper at the quality aspect.

Surely, we can pray for big concerns such as for an injustice to be overcome or for better economic prosperity in our country. However, I believe the power of prayer is also in what it does to the person that will make a qualitative difference.

By developing a life of prayer, the by-product so to speak, is that you will develop greater communion with God. You will see your life in a way where every step is to be guided by the God who made you. You will also have found an anchor for your life. Who does not need something like this amid the chaos and uncertainty in our world today?

Another aspect is that you will grow in your conversation with God. You will find that your concerns might even change or how you pray for a certain concern will change over time. This is all personal growth on your part.

Therefore, I believe if you take prayer seriously and really dig deep into it, you will reap the benefits so that prayer not only changes things, but you as well.

What Do You Uphold as the Benefit of Prayer?

I was thinking about various facets of prayer today along with what one would claim are the benefits of prayer. Here are a few things that came to my mind:

1. Prayer helps to get our problems solved.

2. Prayer helps to steer one's life in the right direction.

3. Prayer is an avenue to place your hope in a higher power.

4. Prayer moves you to find peace for yourself.

I'm sure more benefits could be added to this list. However, I believe that the prime benefit of prayer is that it will make a significant difference in one's relationship with God. You will be drawn closer to God. You will be learning more about what it means to trust God in your life.

In praying you are surrendering your life into the hands of the Creator of the universe. Whether your prayer includes elements of confession, praise, petition, or thanksgiving, you are acknowledging your life is wrapped up with God.

Prayer is an avenue to help you grow in your relationship with God.

How You Start Your Day Matters

I have personally been in the habit of having devotions early in the morning after breakfast. I must confess here that sometimes, for various reasons, I have bypassed this ritual only to try to sneak it in later in the day. What I have found on such days is that my day doesn't seem to have started right. Something was missing.

The words of Psalm 5:3 read: "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch." The psalmist here was pleading for having God's strength in order to live a righteous life, realizing the taunting coming from his enemies. I would believe that starting out the day with prayer did make a difference.

Early in the morning there are many things vying for our attention such as television and the daily newspaper. How willing are you to let God be first for you in the morning? I believe that when God has priority and we have a proper start to the day, it sets the tone for the rest of the day. We will live in the strength of God. We will be open to all that God wants to do in our lives.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins today and extends for a week. This year's theme is "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is in recognition that Christ gives us a different kind of victory than what the world offers. You can read the background here.

Have you prayed often for Christian unity?

Religious differences have divided people in the past not only among nations but also among members of a family. I believe the important thing is that we begin to see what we have in common as opposed to what are our differences. We also need to have a concern for each other that transcends our differences.

Our prayers can be directed in several ways in observance of this week.
1. Pray that people of different religious persuasions would seek to understand one another.
2. Pray that people of different religious persuasions would become involved in joint community or global service.
3. Pray for joint worship among different religious groups.
4. Pray for finding and highlighting a common denominator among different faiths.
5. Pray for a family member who is of a different faith and where there might be tension.

It's the occasion to lift up our prayers for the whole people of God!

Prayer as a Divine Invitation

It's always comforting to read of God's promises in Scripture. They are made by the eternal One who will always stand by the word given to us.

In Jeremiah 33:3, we have the words of God coming to the prophet Jeremiah: "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known."

Those words bring a rock solid promise; but even more than a simple promise. It is God willing to reveal to Jeremiah great and hidden things. Even though destruction might come from the Chaldeans, God will restore the fortunes of Judah and fortunes of Israel. vs. 7 The voice of mirth and gladness would return. vs. 11. What hopeful words to hear!

I know that I myself like to hear these words of Scripture from time to time as they bolster my faith. I know that I can stake my life on the promises that God gives - even with prayer.

When I pray, I therefore know that the words of my prayer will not just evaporate in space, but will be heard by a loving and all-powerful God. This conviction makes all the difference. It makes praying worth all the effort.

Willing you be willing to stake your prayers on this promise of God?

Wise Men Still Seek Him

The Outdoor Sign of our church currently reads: "Wise Men Still Seek Him (So do Wise Women)," which honors the Day of Epiphany which is January 6.

That slogan reminds me that as wise as I think I am, I still need the Lord. I just can't make it on my own. My own wisdom can easily turn on its head into foolishness.

Therefore, I need to pray for wisdom in what I do - especially as I enter into this new year. I will pray for wisdom regarding my personal life and also in being the pastor of a church. I realize that what I think of as wise may not be what God desires of me. Yet, I hope I can submit to the wisdom of God.

It's the time of the year to pray for wisdom as we think about the many facets of our lives for the next 12 months. There may be many forks in the road and many uncertain times that we face. Prayer is what will help us along as we submit to the One who created us and all things.

Those Wise Men had a star that guided them. We also need the light of Christ to guide us as we live each day of this year.