Keep Praying – June 20, 2022

I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
2 Timothy 1:3

Keep Praying

It was the little boy’s turn to say prayers at family devotion. With head bowed, eyes closed, and a solemn voice, he said, “Dear Jesus, make all the bad people good, and make all the good people nice.”

Whom have you prayed for lately? A family member? A coworker? A neighbor? Maybe your list is long and constantly changing. Maybe your list is short and hasn’t changed since bell-bottom jeans were in style. But you pray.

You pray because you know that God has invited you to pray. The door to his throne room is open just for you. As you walk in, the King of kings who conducts the affairs of the universe leans forward with eyes locked on you, ready to hear what and who is on your mind.

The apostle Paul made the most of that power for young pastor Timothy, his student, protege, and friend. Paul constantly prayed. He knew that prayer was wrestling with God for the good of God’s kingdom. He knew that in the hearing of prayer, the Lord of heaven blocked out the attacks of Satan and crushed any evil plans. Paul knew that prayer realigned Paul’s dreams and desired to reflect God’s dreams and desires more fully. And so, Paul prayed for Timothy.

Like Paul, keep on praying. God is eager to hear what you have to say and carry out his plan for the world. A plan that has only your good in mind and crushes evil, now and for your eternity.

Prayer:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you for hearing my prayers. May I be emboldened to pray more often and with bigger prayers because you have invited me to pray. Take my prayers and answer them as you know best. Crush evil and bring about your good. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.