Daily Prayer_February 9, 2011

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 9:7-9 (HCSB)
⁷ The one who corrects a mocker will bring dishonor on himself; the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt. ⁸ Don't rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 142:5-7 (MSG)
⁵ I cry out, God, call out: 'You're my last chance, my only hope for life!' ⁶ Oh listen, please listen; I've never been this low. Rescue me from those who are hunting me down; I'm no match for them. ⁷ Get me out of this dungeon so I can thank you in public. Your people will form a circle around me and you'll bring me showers of blessing!"

The Word for encouragement:

Luke 18:6-8 (HCSB)
⁶ Then the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷ Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay ⌊to help⌋ them? ⁸ I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?"

My observation:

In today's passage from Luke Jesus gives his disciples the explanation of the parable he had just told them (Luke 18:2-5).

Jesus used the example of the unjust judge, and compared him to a loving, caring, and just heavenly Father. Jesus invites his disciples to make the comparison. The unjust judge had no respect for God or the widow woman, yet she wore him down with her persistence, and he responded to her cry for help.

Now Jesus makes the point to his disciples about prayer. The lesson for the disciples then and for us today is that we can come to our heavenly Father and know that he delights to answer our prayers. He waits for us to come to him in prayer. He is not unjust and uncaring like the crooked judge in the parable. You don't have to bribe or beg God to hear and answer your prayers.

The words from the lips of Jesus convince me that God will not only help us, but that his help will be at the right time and on time. Jesus said, "I tell you that He will swiftly grant them justice". God will hear and answer your prayers. However, you must come to him, and ask him to help you. He is your Father and you can come to him anytime of the day or night.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful that you are able to meet every need, and keep every promise that you make to your people. I am so glad that the answer to my need is just a prayer away.

Father, I am so grateful that you are a just God, and that you love, care, and provide for your people. Father, I pray that my first instinct will be to run to you in prayer whenever I have needs in my life. Why should I try everything else before I come to the one who loves me best?

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My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
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Start the Day Concentrating On:

1. Our power instead of our problems.

2. Our faith instead of our fears.

3. Our Savior instead of our sins.

4. Our triumphs instead of our troubles.

5. Our home instead of our house.