Prayer Day 4 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #280

Today, I’d like to return to Daniel to see a different aspect of prayer.  I want us to consider the outcome of faithful praying; not just answered prayer, but the effects of praying.

“Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are,

and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth

by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth her fruit.”  James 5:16-18

Let me simply comment on part of this passage that many misunderstand.  When James says that “Elias (Elijah)” prayed for rain to stop, and then for rain to come, he didn’t do it on his own, he did it at God’s bidding.  See the context in 1 Kings 17-18, it’s an amazing story, but don’t get the idea that prayer is a heavenly slot machine!  It’s not!  It’s communion with God, speaking with Him and listening to HIM!  Jesus gives us the parameters in very simple terms, and our prayers are to ever to be measured by it!  Am I walking with God or dictating to Him?

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Paul speaks to prayer as well; we are not to fret (be careful), but take all things before God, pursuing His will and not our own, yet understanding that wanting to know what to do, how to do it, and the when’s and where’s of our decisions are subjects that God wants us to share with Him! Even when we ask amiss, if we will but listen and heed, we will find ourselves in less stress and more of God’s peace!

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Sometimes God is calling us to wait!!!  Oh, no, not that big “W” word?  Yes, if we will but wait on Him, HE will answer!

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Let’s look at Daniel’s friends in the trial of the fiery furnace, in this account we find that their confidence was in the relationship they had with their God in prayer and faithful dependence on Him.  God heard, answered and displayed His glory amazingly!  We must know Him and His Word in personal confidence.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

Where is your confidence?  Are you willing, like these young men, to say God can—but even if He doesn’t deliver us out of the fire, HE will deliver us through it into His presence.  And my friends, if Jesus tarries, we may find ourselves facing the fire!  Are you prayed up?  Let’s pray diligently—oh how I long to see God move among us once again!

Amen and Amen!!!