July 28, 2022
Our great failure in life is our failure in prayer. Great promises are given to those who pray, but many communicate with God very little.
God hears the prayers of His children, but some have learned to pray more often, more fervently, and more effectively.
HEZEKIAH’S EXAMPLE
When Hezekiah, the king, was besieged by a mighty enemy, he did what other kings had never done.
Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah prayed before the Lord. (Hezekiah 19:14-15)
Hezekiah prayed, and suddenly God (who oversees everything) was brought into the equation. It is important to note the content of Hezekiah’s prayer.
HE PRAISED GOD, acknowledging His authority as the Creator.
Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. (2 Kings 19:15)
HE LAID THE SITUATION BEFORE GOD, rehearsing what God’s enemies were doing.
“Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. (2 Kings 19:16-18)
HE PRAYED FOR GOD’S DELIVERANCE, so that God would be known.
“Now, O Lord our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” (2 Kings 19:19)
God heard and answered Hezekiah’s prayer with supernatural power. Hezekiah and his people were delivered. But more importantly, God was seen and known by everyone.
We are never on safer or more powerful praying ground than when our motivations are for God’s glory, not merely our own.
Do you want God’s enemies to be defeated around you and God to be known as the great God that He is? Then you must pray and pray effectively.
Father, thank You that You have designed prayer. That You long for Your children to talk to You and that You will hear and answer our cries. Teach us to live and pray for Your glory that all the world may know You.
March 29, 2023
As a pastor for the last 55 years, I have had the joy of being encouraged and blessed and prayed for by so many people. It is what carries you in your task of shepherding people. As I look back over five decades of ministry, their love has dramatically enriched my life.
But also, a pastor leads. And when anyone leads, there are almost always some who disagree.
March 28, 2023
March 27, 2023
