GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 6

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

PRAING FROM MORNING TO NIGHT

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

D.L.MOODY

It was in November or December when those men of Judah arrived at Shushan (Nehemiah 1:1-2),  and Nehemiah prayed on until March or April before he spoke to the king.  If a blessing doesn’t come tonight, pray harder tomorrow, and if it doesn’t come tomorrow, pray harder, and even then, if it doesn’t come, keep right on, and you will not be disappointed.  God in heaven will hear your prayers, and will answer them.  He has NEVER FAILED, if a man has been honest in his petitions and honest in his confessions.  Let your faith beget patience.  God is never in a hurry, said St. Augustine, because He has all eternity to work.

ERWIN LUTZER

How can we pray without ceasing?  It should be a recurring part of our lives, praying even as we are busy.  The apostle Paul is talking about a soul continuously open to God.  Day by day,  we begin by giving ourselves to God, committing ourselves and opening our lives to Him.  We walk with a sense of dependence.  Because we can’t get through the day without the Lord, we begin it with Him, inviting the Holy Spirit to help us.

Sometimes, when I am asked questions in an interview or asked to decide about some matter, I am inwardly claiming a promise like, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting (James 1:5-6).  Such promises can be in the back of my mind even while I am wrestling through some topic, some trial, or occupied with some task.

Why is it so difficult for us to pray without ceasing?  Perhaps it’s because we are out of agreement with God:  confession and dealing with sin puts us in agreement with Him.  Honestly seeking His will and what He wants for us in essential to be in a continual attitude of prayer.

PRAYER

Father, help me to pray prayers of dependence and confession regularity.

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Psalm 116:2

Because He has inclined His ear to me,

Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.

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Luke 18:1

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

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Psalm 86:3

Be gracious to me, O Lord,

For to You I cry all day long.

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1 Thessalonians 3:10

as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

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1Thessalonians 5:17 – 18

Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

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Psalm 116:1 – 4,

I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Please, Lord, save me!”

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