Pray and Not Lose Heart
Last night, I was given the opportunity to share a little bit during our church's weekly prayer meeting. I was a little nervous about it because I just haven't felt like praying recently and at the end of the day, some times I would much rather try to sleep (which I haven't been managing to do recently either- thanks to those who have known about this temporary insomnia and been praying). You know how in times of discouragement we often don't feel like praying though I've heard many times and in fact repeated many times the quote: 'If you feel like praying, pray because it would be a shame to miss out on such an opportunity. If you don't feel like praying, pray because it is dangerous to remain in such a state.' Not to mention the many verses such as Luke 18:1 and Philippians 4:6 that remind us that we "ought to always pray and not lose heart", to "be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let [our] requests be made known to God". I also like how Romans 12:12 (NIV) also says "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer". Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, Luke 22:40 & 46 and Colossians 4:2 also remind us that we should always be watchful and pray so that we won't fall into temptation. My dad often reminds me also that Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray in the context of their tiredness. 1 Thessalonions 5:17 reminds us that we should pray continually and Ephesians 6:18 goes on further to remind us that we should "pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints".
Why am I sharing this? I'm sharing this because I am so very grateful to the Lord for reminding me of the power of prayer. Yes, through prayer we reach the world, we see God doing great and wonderful things where we cannot go but through prayer, we also see God's hand in and on our own lives. In prayer, it is not possible to stay discouraged. In prayer, it is not possible to be anxious. In prayer, it is not possible to feel fear. Why? Because in prayer, we see God. Prayer is all about God, His will and His kingdom. In prayer we discover more of His love, His faithfulness, His grace, His mercy, His sovereignty and His power... in short, we discover Him. And this is why I can be joyful in hope because He is my joy. And this is why my "affliction" is tolerable because He suffered so much more for me. And this is why I want to be faithful in prayer because without Him, I can do nothing, I am nothing.
That last verse I mentioned, Ephesians 6:18 was written in the context of spiritual warfare. It is a good reminder that we are constantly in the midst of the battle. It is so easy to slip into a state of complacency and not realize the great danger that places us in. Indeed, it is dangerous to stay in that state where the armor of God just begins to slide off our thinning bodies. Before you know it, not only do we not have the strength to oppose the lies of the devil with the sword of truth but there is also nothing to guard our minds from the fiery darts of discouragement. So yes, thank you so much to all those who have been praying on my behalf just as Paul says to the believers in Ephesus "that utterance may be given me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" (Ephsians 6:18-20). I am greatly and hugely encouraged and I pray that you will be too, to press on towards that goal, the higher calling of Christ Himself.
'God is [my] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, [I] will not fear, though the earth should change, and though mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raise His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has wrought desolations in the earth. he makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns chariots with fire. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord of hosts is with [me]; the God of Jacob is [my] stronghold.'
- Psalm 46
