This was my Journey women's devotional for today...It spoke VOLUMES for me, I really needed to hear this...And I really NEED to be reminded DAILY to "Pray WITHOUT ceasing"...Afterall, doesnt God command us to do so?? I hope you get as much out of this, as I did..
"Jesus told them a parable on the need for them to pray ALWAYS and not become discouraged." (Luke 18:1)
A woman once came to Jesus with a desperate plea for Him to rescue her daughter from demon possession. And Jesus, who was always compassionate, didnt answer her. But she kept asking. Finally, Jesus told her that since she was a Canaanite and not an Isrealite, she was really outside the scope of His ministry right then. When He suggested that helping her would be like taking Isreals food and giving it to the dogs, she said, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table" (Matt 15:27). Jesus answered by calling this "great faith". Then He did exactly what she had been asking-all because she had enough faith to be persistent.
Desperation and persistence are given as examples of how to pray with GREAT faith. Hannah was completely desperate before God, and He gave her a child (1 Samuel 1). Even Jesus offered "prayers and appeals, with loud cries and tears" (Hebrews 5:7). Something about our deep desperation and stubborn persistence MOVES God to action.
So if you gave up on praying about something because you assumed God hasnt answered, THINK AGAIN. Scripture ENCOURAGES you to pray AGAIN and AGAIN. The examples in the Bible seem to indicate that God might NOT answer if you dont follow your requests all the way through to the end.
Alot happens when you pray this way. Your faith gets clearer, and God may help you adjust your request until it fits His will. But alot also happens outside of you when you pray this way. God is MOVED by your persistence and your intensity. When you pray and nothing happens, thats an invitation to KEEP praying and not a sign to stop! As Jesus said, pray and dont give up.
Father teach me to be persistent in prayer and to trust You with the timing and the results.
What a GREAT study. I loves studies on prayer. Prayer is such an important part of your daily walk that so many people just quit on give up on. Thanks for posting and so glad it REALLY touched your life today.
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