Anglican Devotional 16 May 2023 – Persistence In Prayer

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 May 2023 – Persistence In Prayer

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TOPIC: Persistence In Prayer

READ: Luke 11: 5-13(NKJV)

And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;

‘for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;

“and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?

“I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

” So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

“If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if [he asks] for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?

“Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

THE MESSAGE:

Many years ago, one of my friends, based on relationship, visited at night without prior information. There was no food due to an emergency that prevented me from going to the market that day. Owing to our relationship, I boldly went to my mother who was living in the same town in that late hour to collect food. In Luke 11, the prayer life of Jesus Christ so much challenged his disciples that on a certain day, they requested Master Jesus, to teach them how to pray. After giving a model of regular prayer (Lk. 11: 1-4), he taught importunity in prayer based on friendly relationship with God. From our text,

a) The two major characters are friends;

b) A friend is bold to visit his friend’s house anytime;

c) A friend sacrifices, reaching out to others to help his friend without discouragement.

The implications of this teaching to our prayer life are:

i) We need to make God our friend by being born again and living righteous and holy lives.

ii) We can then approach the throne of His grace with boldness to seek help anytime(Heb.4: 16)

iii) We should not be discouraged by seemingly negative situations around us; we must persevere until we receive answers.

iv)We should be ready to intercede for the needs of our friends anytime.

PRAYER: Lord, make me an active and a fruitful intercessor, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) provides daily scriptural readings and reflections to help individuals deepen their relationship with God. This edition for 13 May 2023 focuses on the theme of forgiveness and explores how we can receive and extend forgiveness to others as Christ did for us. Join us in this enriching journey of faith and discover the power of forgiveness in your life.