KEEP PRAYING

Read: James 5:13-18

Meditation verse:

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man will bring much good” (James
5:16)

The bible is replete with commands on not just how to pray, but when to pray, what to pray for and the benefits of praying. Psalm 95:2 enjoins us to begin our prayers with thanksgiving. John 14:13-14 tells us to ask in the name of our
Saviour Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to pray without ceasing.

Jesus Christ understood the importance of being in constant touch with His Father during His time on earth. Before every important event, He took time to be away from the crowd that constantly followed Him, to pray. Before He began His ministry, He went into the desert where He prayed and fasted for forty days and nights (Matt 4:1- 2). Before choosing His twelve apostles, He went out to a mountainside and spent the night praying to God (Luke 6:12-15). Before treading the path of Calvary to His death, He agonized in prayers in a place called Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-45). He prayed so much that once after praying, His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.

Luke 18 highlights the importance of continuous prayers with the parable of the persistent widow. Bottom line: ‘keep praying even when it seems not to be yielding any result. This way, prayer becomes a way of living so that you are constantly in God’s will for your life irrespective of what circumstances dictate. The biblical characters who lived exceptional lives, prayed continually. David prayed in the morning, at noon, in the evening (Ps 55:17) and in the night (Ps 42:8). Even whilst on his bed in the early watches of the day, his heart was stayed on God (Ps 63:6). Daniel’s custom from his early days was to get down on his knees three times a day to pray and give thanks before God (Daniel 6:10). Apostle Paul spent countless hours fasting and praying (2 Cor 11:27).

Are you in constant touch with God through prayers? Spend quality time this year tarrying in prayers. Prayer is a safe space where God through His Holy Spirit instructs, teaches, guides, and corrects us.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.