YOU CAN ALWAYS PRAY
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people...” Ephesians 1:17-18, NIV
Theme: Pray for yourself and for others, that they would grow in the knowledge of God.
IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE
Years ago, I had dear friends and family members struggling with their faith. I was carrying an overwhelming amount of grief and distress for others: marriages in trouble, people considering affairs, sicknesses, deaths. It was overwhelming to me, though I was not personally in pain or crisis. I just carried their worries and hurts and burdens until it felt like I was drowning.
One day in my quiet time, I read the first chapter of Ephesians. Towards the end of that chapter, Paul prays for the believers he has met, loved, and left behind in that church. God impressed upon me that I could pray that prayer for my friends. I told each of them (individually) that I would be praying Ephesians 1:15-23 for them every day and asking God to work and reveal His plan to them. In most of these friends’ lives, marriages were healed, relationships restored, and godly decisions were made. God gave me comfort in handing their situations over to them; and He answered my prayers by giving them wisdom and guidance.
BE INTENTIONAL
We often float through life, not focused on God or goals or people. We can just let things happen. But if we want to change things for all eternity, we can pray. The Bible shows people calling out to God on their own behalf, as King David cries out in many of the Psalms. We also see prophets, preachers, and others praying for the people of God, or asking God to intervene on behalf of the country or to heal a sickness. Many have prayed for the people’s hearts to turn back to God.
Make It Personal: This week, make it a priority to pray for yourself and others, that God would reveal Himself and His will; that He would open our eyes to see His glory and the hope that we have in Him. James says to ask for wisdom and God will give it. Seek Him and He will be found!
Pray: Lord, Moses asked You to show him Your glory. I ask that. I want to be drawn to Your holiness and Your plan. Help me to remain faithful and seeking only after You. Help me to carry others to Your throne in my prayer time, that they too would be in awe of You and follow with passion. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Ephesians 1:15-23; Jeremiah 29:13; James 1:5
Weekly Memory Verse: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27, ESV