Being Like Him - a 40 Day Lenten Devotionalનમૂનો

Prayerfulness

I am convinced that the one thing the enemy would not like us to do is pray. We see Jesus constantly praying to His father as His mission was to defeat Satan and establish His Kingdom. The family of Godhead was undoubtedly a praying family. Intercession was and is part of their distinct profile. The Bible reminds us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of His father and is interceding for us and also the Spirit of God is praying on our behalf and is interceding for us (Rom 8:26,34). This is a remarkable part of the GodHead family in our prayer life.

Prayer was so important for Jesus while He was on this earth. Earnest prayer enabled Jesus to recognize His Fathers will. It showed His constant dependence on God the Father. We have been created as both physical and spiritual beings; prayer is the nerve that connects the earthly realm to the Spiritual. Hebrews 5:7 says, during the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One who could deliver Him from death. And He was heard because of His reverent submission. He prayed for the world so passionately with a desire that none of us, made in His image, would be destroyed. So, unlike us, frail beings who constantly pray for our own needs, Jesus’ prayer was focused on each one of us. He not only prays but empowers those who are struggling without words and groaning because of their unspeakable griefs and sorrows.

At the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was about to be crucified, He instructed his beloved disciples to watch and pray with Him. His soul agonizing his sweat turned into blood. He required His disciples to watch with Him and pray. But to Jesus’ disappointment, his disciples were sleeping. Their spirit was willing, but their flesh was weak. The purpose of asking them to pray was “that they will not fall into temptation.” His invitation to pray was for them to functionally partner in His mission. Their prayerlessness invariably affected them as they promptly denied him and even went back to their old professions.

To pray without ceasing is the will of God. He eagerly desires that we pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (1 Thes 5:17, Eph. 6:18). Prayer is the armor of God against satanic forces that are taking us away from His purposes.

A few years back, as a family, we decided to organize our family prayer calendar. We divided our prayer points day-wise so that we won’t be on a selfish prayer trip. Each day had a separate list that covered most of what we wanted to intercede. As Leonard Ravenhill says, “If we are not praying, we are straying.” Are we straying or praying? Let us model the family of Godhead and strengthen our inner being by praying and growing in Him.

Prayer

Lord, I confess that I have lacked much in prayer and have often looked up to you only when I’m in dire need. Please forgive my prayerlessness and help me to organize my personal prayer life and my family prayer, so that I will participate in your mission through prayer. In Jesus name, Amen.