Persistence in Prayer

Since that last post that I put up on George Mueller, I have been doing some reading and studying on prayer. I found, on Kindle, 6 free books by him and below is a small snippet from his Answers to Prayer book on how God provided for him and why God made him wait.

The funds are exhausted. The labourers, who had a little money, have given as long as they had any left. Now observe how the Lord helped us! A lady from the neighbourhood of London who brought a parcel with money from her daughter, arrived four or five days since in Bristol, and took lodgings next door to the Boys' Orphan-House. This afternoon she herself kindly brought me the money, amounting to £3 2s. 6d. We had been reduced so low as to be on the point of selling those things which could be spared; but this morning I had asked the Lord, if it might be, to prevent the necessity, of our doing so. That the money had been so near the Orphan-Houses for several days without being given, is a plain proof that it was from the beginning in the heart of God to help us; but because He delights in the prayers of His children, He had allowed us to pray so long; also to try our faith, and to make the answer so much the sweeter. It is indeed a precious deliverance. I burst out into loud praises and thanks the first moment I was alone, after I had received the money. I met with my fellow-labourers again this evening for prayer and praise; their hearts were not a little cheered. This money was this evening divided, and will comfortably provide for all that will be needed to-morrow."

Müller, George (2012-05-12). Answers to Prayer From George Müller's Narratives (pp. 32-33).  . Kindle Edition.

Sometimes God makes us wait on Him for the answers to our prayers only for the reasons that He delights in the prayers of His children and He is trying your faith.

Proverbs 15:8 NIV

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked,

but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

James 1:2-3 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

1 Peter 1:7 NIV

These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Brothers and sisters, just because Father hasn't answered your prayer right away that doesn't mean that He won't. There are reasons for this and one of the reasons may just be that He finds joy in hearing you pray and speaking to Him. Press in with prayer, make sure your heart is clean and your prayer is not selfish but according to His will.

I'm linking this post with Barbie at The Weekend Brew.

Blessings,

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Joy of the LORD

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV

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You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

Too often, we let our present circumstances define our mood and direct our emotions. Above, Paul is talking about new Christians finding joy in the Lord in amongst severe suffering. The new Christians imitated Jesus and did not let their anguish determine their mood but rather chose joy in suffering. The powerful message of the gospel filled them up and the Holy Spirit carried them through intense persecution.

Here in North America at this present time, we do not face intense persecution but never the less we can and do face intense suffering. Misery from illness, finances, loss of a loved one, divorce, intense physical and or sexual abuse and so on, can cause us to lose joy. We have to choose joy in suffering and not allow our present circumstances to steal away the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:
Dear Father,
Please turn my suffering into joy and do not allow my outward circumstances determine my mood but empower this joy by Your Holy Spirit. Allow the joy of the Lord to spread to all who cross my path and help me to be a better example of spiritual joy to those around me. In Jesus' name, amen.

                                                                   

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James 1:2-3 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.






Blessings,
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