February 17, 2023
Keep On Praying
Nehemiah - “But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’” (Nehemiah 6:9)
DAILY DEVOTION
Nehemiah was a prayer-addict. His first response in every situation was to pray. No matter what happened, he went to the Lord in prayer. When he was slandered, instead of taking it out on others, Nehemiah took it to God in prayer. Nehemiah did not get defensive when they started making all the false accusations about him. Instead, he simply replied, "It's not true" and went and prayed about it. That's all we should do as well. If people are falsely accusing us, we don't have to go into a long defense. We can simply say "That's not true" and then go and have a conversation with the Lord.
Jesus once said, “You should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1) His statement makes perfect sense because In life we're always doing one or the other. We’re either praying or we’re giving up. When the heat is on and the press is heavy, we’re bound to either pray or panic. But we have direct contact with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Why should we give up? Instead, we should pray.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Prayer is the main work of the ministry.” Walter Wink said, “History belongs to the intercessors - those who believe and pray the future into being. Watchman Nee made the statement that “If you fail at prayer, you fail at everything.” S.D. Gordon said that “The greatest thing anyone can do is pray. It is not the only thing; but it is the chief thing. The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean the people who take time to pray.” Charles Spurgeon also said that “The power of prayer can never be overrated. Those who cannot serve God by preaching need not regret. If a man can but pray, he can do anything. He who knows how to overcome with God in prayer has Heaven and earth at his disposal.” E.M. Bounds writes, “What the church needs today is men whom the Holy Spirit can use - men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men - men of prayer.
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
In your journal or on a piece of paper, write out three things that you are thankful for. Then, write out three people you know who need a miracle in their lives. After that, list the names of three people you know who do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Finally, list three things you would like to do for God. When you’ve completed this list, spend time in prayer about each item. If you’re leading your family through this devotion time, work through the previous exercise as a family. Whatever you do, don’t forget to pray at the end.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, thank You for the example of Nehemiah, who didn’t let fear cloud his perspective. When fear comes my way, help me to have a clear perspective and be resolved to follow You wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.