For a while he was unwilling; but afterward, he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out. ‘” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?
Let me ask you to seriously consider your prayer life this month. Jesus tells us here in Luke that our prayer life includes frequency, fervency, and expectation. We can conclude that prayer is to be our “dome” to be under during our entire life. Prayer is not just part of our life, not to be looked on as a spiritual event but more like breathing. Would frequency describe your prayer life? Consider fervency. Jesus tells us that we should not lose heart and give up before we get our request resolved. Do you really want your Heavenly Father to answer your request? Are your prayers lifted up displaying a passionate intensity refusing to give up until He answers your requests? Once placing our petitions before Him do you have such an assurance, an expectation that He hears you and He will answer you?
The emotional benefits of a prayer life of frequency, fervency, and expectation continue to influence the Apostle Paul’s teaching to us on prayer in Philippians and 1 Thessalonians. He says in the Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” He adds this from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
Now believer, we have it from the Word itself that a frequent, fervent and expecting prayer life has emotional benefits to calm our fears, deal with anxiety and the peace of God guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus! Yep, that sounds like a “dome” of protection to me even the Shadow of the Almighty. Then, He answers our prayers! See how our Precious Lord blesses us! He blesses our effort and answers our prayer. What a wonderful God! What a wonderful Savior! What a wonderful Comforter! Stay under the Shadow of the Almighty!
Robert Thompson has been the senior pastor of Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church in Snellville since May 2003. He graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary in 1986. Robert is also Chairman of the Board of Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship. He and his wife Wanda have been married for 43 years. They have three adult daughters, Amanda and twins Rebecca and Sarah. Amanda is married to Jerry Jones and they have three daughters of their own. Rebecca is married to Wesley Payton; they have two sons. Sarah is married to Mark Magdziarz and they have two daughters and two sons.
Chapel Woods Presbyterian Church
3800 Lenora Church Rd.
Snellville, GA 30078
web: www.chapelwoods.org
e-mail: pastor@chapelwoods.org
phone: (770) 978 1445
