Never Give Up

Why do we pray? In faith, we believe God hears what we are saying, and desires to have that conversation with us. 

Sometimes we too often think of prayer as a wishing station. We throw our coin in the well and wait…. impatiently, for the answer we have already prepared in advance to be the answer. 

God isn’t in the business of granted wishes. He is a mighty, powerful God who desires healing and hope for all of his people. His one and only purpose is to see us all turn to him. He loves you and wants you to have all of the desires of your heart…. that is a relationship, not a fortune teller. 

I say this because I think we are so use to instant gratification that even in our prayer lives we think one time praying is enough and the whole thing should be given to us, fixed, healed, battle should be over. We as a church have even taught people that there faith isn’t great enough if they keep asking, persisting in the same hope…. Do you mind if we look at what Jesus said in Luke 18:

¹ Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. ² He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. ³ And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

⁴ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”

⁶ And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸ I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

So, for those of you that feel you are nagging God for the same things…. keep it up… Jesus is looking for you of great faith!! 

A Kiss

Most of my days begin in the most awesome way. My dear hubby, who leaves for work about two hours before I even think about crawling out of bed, gives me a kiss. It isn’t terribly romantic and I am usually not awake. But my heart rejoices in knowing he takes a moment in his morning routine to think of me. That simple act of affection tells me that I am important and a priority to him.

About a year ago, my friend Sara and I challenged each other to spend a few extra moments each day with God. Neither of us are morning people but both of us felt called to give the first part of our day to Him. How do we make this work?

First Fruits is what we have called it. Acknowledging the first part of our day as belonging to God. I am a big fan of setting myself up for small successes. This is one thing in my personal time that has worked out quite well. There isn’t much to it. I relate it to the way I feel when my husband kisses me in the morning. My first fruits are a kiss to God, a moment to acknowledge Him as a priority to my day. It is a simple moment of affection.

I set my alarm about 15 min earlier than I use to. I check the email on my phone for the daily devotion that has come into my inbox. I rarely read the devotion but I read the Word. Usually, a short sentence or two of scripture to read and then I pray. I tell God how thankful I am for Him, I tell Him how much I love Him. No petition, no conversation, no expectations. Just a kiss, to let Him know He is my priority today.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. ~Jesus (Mark 12:30)

We are about to start an 8 week series on prayer during our Wednesday night Growth Track at Canvas Church. I love prayer. I don’t think we do it enough, don’t set ourselves up to be successful. Do you think a prayer life can start with something as simple as giving first fruits?