PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
“Hear a just cause, O Lord, give heed to my cry; give ear to my prayer, which is not from deceitful lips. Let my judgment come forth from Your presence; let Your eyes look with equity. You have tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested me and You find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. As for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips I have kept from the paths of the violent. My steps have held fast to Your paths. My feet have not slipped. I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings,” (Psalm 17:1-8, NASB).
God doesn’t need us. He knows exactly what steps to take in order to accomplish His purposes. Yet at the same time, He calls us to be devoted to prayer. And if we’ll obey, here are some blessings that await us:
Prayer changes us. As we seek the Lord’s face and spend time in His Word, we’re transformed. His desires become ours, and our thinking more closely aligns with His thoughts.
The Lord answers our petitions. He promises to listen and respond to the prayers of His children and assures us that He’ll act when our requests are in accordance with His will.
God works through our prayers. He’s chosen the prayers of His people to be one of the means through which He accomplishes His will on earth and in the believer’s personal life.
Prayer allows inadequate people to connect with an all-sufficient God. He alone knows our needs and can meet them as we depend fully on Him. As our understanding of His character grows, we’ll have a better idea what to ask, and our prayers will become more effective. So don’t give up! Keep spending time with God, and you’ll discover the blessings of prayer.
Jeff