Today’s Key Scripture

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”

— Colossians 4:2-3

Andrew Murray (1828–1917), the anointed South African writer, teacher, and pastor, has influenced generations of believers, especially on the subject of prayer. He wrote:

Of all the mysteries of the prayer world the need of persevering prayer is one of the greatest. That the Lord, who is so loving and longing to bless, should have to be asked, time after time, sometimes year after year, before the answer comes, we cannot easily understand. It is also one of the greatest practical difficulties in the exercise of believing prayer. When, after persevering pleading, our prayer remains unanswered, it is often easiest for our lazy flesh…to think that we must now cease praying, because God may have His secret reason for withholding His answer to our request. It is by faith alone that the difficulty is overcome.

The Word declares, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).

When we persevere in our prayers, unceasingly, we are essentially putting our complete trust the Lord. So keep praying!

 

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, teach me to pray with perseverance. I want to know You more, even as I follow Your path for my life. Help me to spend time with You, growing closer to You day by day. Help me listen to You. Help me become more like You. Help me remember that You may have Your secret reasons for withholding Your answer to my question. I pray all this in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, amen.

 

*All references NKJV unless otherwise noted.