Nancy Taylor Tate
What a time we live in! For all those who are being impacted by hurricanes, by fires or other hard circumstances, please know you are very much in our prayers. Samuel told Israel, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23). There are many examples of continued prayer in the life of Christ and throughout the entire Bible.
A parable in Luke 18:1-8 tells of a widow who came before an unjust judge. Finally, the judge answered her because of her continual coming. Luke then says how much more shall God, who is just, answer His own children when they call on Him “day and night,” or in continued prayer.
Hindrances to our prayers can be within our own hearts – unforgiveness, unconfessed sin, pride, unbelief, or other wrong attitudes. As I allow the Lord to work within, I can become a vessel the Holy Spirit can flow through freely.
Wherever we live, whatever we are dealing with, whatever wisdom we need for that which is yet ahead – prayer is the key that will get us through today and unlock the doors yet before us.
What is prayer? Prayer is simply maintaining an intimacy of relationship with the Lord. Prayer is more than words – it is a life of fellowship with God.
Whether behind a desk or driving a truck, may we live in right relationship with the blood and the cross, that the Holy Spirit can move through us in power as we yield our lives to Him.
As James 5:16-18 says, it is not mere formula but the continued, heartfelt prayer of a man in right relationship with God that avails much.
There is a people hungry for more than what they are experiencing and seeing today, who are setting themselves apart, that the Lord might manifest Himself more fully in their lives. May we be counted in that number, as God sits on His throne in the midst of His people, His glory shining forth into the darkness round about, bringing light and hope.