GIVE MORE TIME TO PRAYER – Pastor Chris
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
Esther Chapters 3 and 4 give us an amazing account of Haman, a wealthy man who was close to the reins of power; he was the king’s friend. For some reason, he hated the Jews and wanted them exterminated. He presented a proposal to the king to that effect and with the king’s express permission, he drafted and published a decree for the elimination of all Jews, both young and old.
But the Bible says, “When Mordecai (one of the Jews) perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry” (Esther 4:1). Mordecai understood that even though the decree had been made, God could cause a change in their circumstance.
He thus galvanised the Jews, and called for prayer and fasting. The Bible says “…there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes” (Esther 4:3). All they could do was call on God, and they were miraculously delivered from their enemy!
There’s a similar account in 2 Chronicles 32; the Bible tells us how the Assyrians under Sennacherib, King of Assyria, planned to destroy Judah and take over Jerusalem. The Bible says, “And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria…” (2 Chronicles 32:20-21). Hallelujah!
It makes no difference how many or how strong your adversaries are; in the place of prayer, you can cut off their influence by the power of the Holy Spirit. What you need is to give time to prayer. In the place of prayer, you obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
You have a right to be heard when you pray; therefore, pray often. Remember, He invited us to pray; He’s more willing and passionate to answer you than you could ever imagine. The Bible says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…” (1 Peter 3:12). Hallelujah! Think about that!
PRAYER:
Dear Father, thank you for your love, your grace, your presence, your Word, and for your wisdom at work in me. Thank you for the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life. As I take advantage of the opportunity and privilege of prayer, I’m victorious always and in all things. I’m making progress from glory to glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
James 5:16 AMPC Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
Philippians 4:6-7 AMPC Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 4:14-5:1-10 & Jeremiah 44-47
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 10:1-10 & 1 Chronicles 5
