(Albrecht Durer - Praying hands)
Jabez (1Chron:4:9-10) started his life with pain. More so for his mother. She might have been extremely fed up that she named him Jabez. Which means he makes sorrowful.
But his epitaph was different. A man honourable than any of his brothers. He decided to transform his pain to honour. It was not his determination. It was not his will power. But his decision to pray to the Almighty God. To bless him, to expand his territory. To be with him in all he does. To keep him from trouble and pain. He translated all his pain and the pain he caused to prayer. AND GOD GRANTED HIM HIS REQUEST.
What is your theme of prayer?
For Today.
For this month.
For this year
For your life.
Jabez prayed for his expansion of territory. And God granted him his request. Is it not wonderful that we follow a God who has promised, I will do whatever you ask in my name. John:14:13
So what do I ask?
God is eagerly listening to what I pray. 1Pet:3:12.
Ha! Will He be disappointed that I do not pray at all?
And if at all I pray, it will all be self centred, self oriented and to appease the desires of my pathetic self?
When do we learn to accommodate others in our prayers. It has always been, me, my family, my children, my job, my security, my health.
Why doesn't other's spiritual growth be the theme of our prayer?
Why don't we pray for our spiritual closeness to God than our material benefits and desires?
Why don't we pray for our children's spiritual maturity and Godly wisdom than their academic excellence and security of future?
Woe unto me, that I look unto God only for benefits and blessings. Let our theme be only seeking His kingdom.
Ashamed we should be seeing our prayer list, if at all we have one. In meetings we pray for spiritual blessings and closeness to God, for the congregation. Where as behind closed doors, we pray for blessings alone.
Yes we are no less than those merchants in His temple - who has made it a den of thieves.
🙏
ReplyDelete