Prepare: The revelation of our spiritual standing is what we ask in prayer; sometimes what we ask is an insult to God; we ask with our eyes on the possibilities or on ourselves, not on Jesus Christ. - Oswald Chambers
Read: Luke 18:1-14
In Russia, a Christian asked his pastor, "How must I say the words, 'Lord have mercy?'". The pastor answered, "You do well to ask. It is a short but important prayer and is not easily said. When you say the words, evoke the image of the cruicified Lord. Look at Him with nails driven into His body and remember His words, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' If you say the simple prayer like this, you will glorify God, serve men, and grow in grace yourself."
If prayer is really standing before the awesome majesty of God, bowing to Him and speaking with Him, all desires which you had before that moment will play no role in it. Only love remains - love to God and love for the eternal salvation of others.
Often a father has to refuse the request of a child because he knows that what the child asks would hurt rather than help. God is like that. Only He knows what is good for us in the long run. That is why Jesus said that we must never be discouraged in prayer. The widow had one weapon - the weapon of persistence. The Pharisee did not really go to pray; he went to inform God how good he was. When you say again and again that simple prayer, "God, have mercy," He will be merciful to you.
Respond: We, beg often our own harms, which the wise powers deny for our good, so we find profit when we lose our prayers. - Shakespeare.
Read: Luke 18:1-14
In Russia, a Christian asked his pastor, "How must I say the words, 'Lord have mercy?'". The pastor answered, "You do well to ask. It is a short but important prayer and is not easily said. When you say the words, evoke the image of the cruicified Lord. Look at Him with nails driven into His body and remember His words, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' If you say the simple prayer like this, you will glorify God, serve men, and grow in grace yourself."
If prayer is really standing before the awesome majesty of God, bowing to Him and speaking with Him, all desires which you had before that moment will play no role in it. Only love remains - love to God and love for the eternal salvation of others.
Often a father has to refuse the request of a child because he knows that what the child asks would hurt rather than help. God is like that. Only He knows what is good for us in the long run. That is why Jesus said that we must never be discouraged in prayer. The widow had one weapon - the weapon of persistence. The Pharisee did not really go to pray; he went to inform God how good he was. When you say again and again that simple prayer, "God, have mercy," He will be merciful to you.
Respond: We, beg often our own harms, which the wise powers deny for our good, so we find profit when we lose our prayers. - Shakespeare.
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