| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Mighty Prevailing Prayer” Our Bible verse for today: “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Don’t stop praying for them” Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 are about the importance and necessity of persistent intercessory prayer that doesn’t stop until it prevails. He says we are to keep praying because it is God’s will that none be lost, that everyone come to faith in Christ. Paul also notes that it’s not only in their interest that we pray for their salvation, but it’s in our own interest as well – so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life. In other words, when important people in our lives become Christians, our own life will improve because their behavior will have improved. So, don’t stop praying for them. Pray as long as it takes. That passage always reminds me of the story of Monica, a godly woman of strong faith who had a much-loved son who was totally lost in his sins as he lived a life of sex, drugs, and rock& roll. (Actually, since the story took place around 375 A.D., and since rock and roll hadn’t been invented yet, it was more a wild life of sex and alcohol but still, you get my point.) The boy’s name was Augustine and he was out of control. By his own admission (years later in his memoir called “Confessions”) Augustine admitted that during those years his only concern was living for pleasure. He was well-aware of his mother’s prayers, and he also knew that she had other Christian friends and Christian leaders praying for him, but he continued in his playboy ways – until one day the prayers broke through, the Holy Spirit grabbed his heart, and Augustine came to faith in Christ. Augustine went on to become known as “Saint Augustine” the Bishop of Hippo, and to this day he is considered the greatest theologian of the early Church. The reason it took so long for the Holy Spirit to finally get ahold of Augustine’s heart was because there were issues in Augustine’s life that had to be worked through before he was ready to give up his old life and come to faith in Christ. There were some pretty low times he had to go through, some very unpleasant things he had to experience, before he was ready. That’s often the case with people we’re praying for too. Our prayers for them are meaningful and important but before they can be answered, there are pieces that need to fall into place in their lives before they will be ready to surrender to Christ. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to orchestrate those events in their lives. It’s our job to keep praying for them as He does. So, whatever you do, don’t stop praying for them. God Bless, Pastor Jim |
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