HE INVITED US TO PRAY – Pastor Chris
Sunday, May 16, 2021
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).
God asked us to pray, because He plans to answer. Prayer is His idea; He invited us to pray. This should inspire you to pray, because the beautiful part about praying is the answers you get.
Some people have become so used to praying without answers that they now lack the confidence to pray. The reason is that they don’t understand this truth. Moreover, they’re praying amiss; they’re not praying the right way. I always get results when I pray, and you should too. The question then is, “How do you pray?”
In the New Testament, we pray in the Name of Jesus. We can ask the Father for anything in the Name of Jesus, and He’ll give it to us. This was what Jesus meant when he stated in John 16:23-24: “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
When we pray, we stand in the place of Jesus, we’re taking His place; so, we can’t be praying to Him in His Name, or while standing in His stead. In addition, we may demand that something be done or occur, in the Name of Jesus; this isn’t prayer; rather, it’s exercising the authority of His Name, as in John 14:12-14. That’s what Peter did in Acts 3:6: “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
So, prayer in the New Testament is geared to effecting changes. You can effect definite changes in the realm of the spirit through prayer, to your advantage. That’s why Jesus said, “..men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” That means pray always, and don’t give up, because when you pray, you make power available for the works of righteousness. Through prayer, we cause the will of God to be done in the earth as it is in heaven. Praise God!
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PRAYER:
Dear Father, I thank you for the blessing and privilege of prayer; you asked us to pray, because you plan to answer. Even now, I pray for increased knowledge of your Word amongst your children today, and that your wisdom will guide our hearts and rule our minds to produce works of righteousness for the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
John 7:25-8:1-11 & 1 Kings 18-19
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 10:32-45 & Numbers 19
