Devotionals
There are different opinions on prayer. Some think you should pray once and that is it or you do not have faith. Some think you should keep praying till you get your answer. I believe it is a little of both.
I DO think we should pray MORE than once about something. And, I DO think we should have faith WHILE we pray. God may not answer us when WE think He should or the WAY we think He should, but He WILL answer us in HIS timing.
What does the Word say about praying more than once??
Let's look at Mathew 7:7-11 I am giving it in the amplified version because after studying the Greek words carefully, the amplified gives the best interpretation of this Scripture. (I added the bold to make my point)
Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking reverently and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, the door will be opened.
Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent?
If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!
Ok, so, Jesus Himself tells us to KEEP asking, KEEP seeking, and KEEP knocking. We ARE to be persistent!
So, where does faith come in??
When you are asking BELIEVE that you receive (ref. Mark 11:24). That does not mean to stop petitioning. The petitioning is actually us EXERCISING our faith.
Steps of Coming to God In Prayer
1. Come with Humility. Humble yourself before the Lord when you pray. We need to have an attitude of humility and ALLOW God to fix our problems. Oh, and He does not, I repeat NOT need our help! (ref. John 6:66-69; Psalm 138:6; 1Peter 5:5-7)
2. Surrender. Submit to Him. Give up control. (ref. 2Kings 5:13; John 9:6; Luke 5:24-25)
3. Thanksgiving. Be thankful. Thank the Lord for His goodness, provision and mercy in your life. (ref. Psalm 100)
4. Persistence. KEEP praying. Do not stop. Remember Matthew 7:7-11! (ref. Daniel 10:12-14; Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 18:1 & 35; James 1:2-4 &12)
5. Fear Not! You need to be aware of spiritual warfare. The enemy does NOT want you to have faith OR receive your blessing, so he will pull out ALL the stops and doubts and any other ammo he can find. You MUST never forget the spiritual aspect of prayer. (ref. Ephesians 6:12)
Life as a Christian is not easy and we do not always get things the way we want them, but never give up and never...never...NEVER stop asking, seeking, and knocking. God WILL answer!
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4
For Further Study:
I encourage you to look up the reference Scriptures. I have them listed below. It is vitally important that we FEED our spirits and gain spiritual knowledge if we are going to stand in the dark days ahead!
* Mathew 7:7-11
* Mark 11:24
* Luke 5:24-25
* Luke 18:1 & 35
* John 6:66-69
* John 9:6
* Ephesians 6:12
* James 1:2-4
* James 1:12
* 1Peter 5:5-7
* 2Kings 5:13
* Psalm 100
* Psalm 138:6
* Daniel 10:12-14
This Weeks Memory Verse:
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. - James 1:2-4
Yeah, I know it is long, but it is a good one and WELL worth your effort. You will have the advantage when the enemy comes with discouragement.
KEEP Praying!!
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
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About the Author: Lara Velez is a Christian wife and homeschooling Mother of two. She is a published writer, web designer (http://designedbylara.com), and Mom of Faith (http://momsoffaith.com). She enjoys cooking, writing, scrapbooking, and web design.
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