prayer | Daily Encouragement

“I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1-2, NLT)

Imagine having the private telephone number to the President of the United States; or Warren Buffet’s personal e-mail address; or Bill Gates’ unlisted Skype number (yes, Microsoft owns Skype, too!). Imagine having an invitation to contact any one of them, at any time you wanted, for any reason, as often as you would like.

Imagine the resources at your disposal!

All rolled into one — and any 100 other people you would choose to add — this resource would not be as big, or as powerful, as the help we have available from our heavenly Father.

As children of God, we have God’s “ear.” The psalmist reminds us that He “bends down to listen” to us.

Prayer is the lifeline for the child. God values this relationship, as well. He answered the prayers of the ancient saints. His only begotten Son taught us how to pray. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

There is no substitute for prayer in the life of a Christian disciple. There is no substitute for prayer in a disciple’s relationship with his or her Lord. Resolve, as the psalmist did, to “pray as long as I have breath.”

In the words of the hymn: “O, what peace we often forfeit; o, what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.” – Luther

REMINDER: Daily Encouragement is on break tomorrow. Have a great day of rest, reflection, and worship. Lord willing, see you on Monday!

Tagged Bill Gates, God's care, prayer, Skype, the book of Psalms, Waren Buffet

July 18

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“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10, NIV)

Praying for our friends can be a difficult choice. (Particularly when they have rubbed us the wrong way — as friends are in an excellent position to do since they are close to us and know our crimes and inconsistencies.)

In Job’s case, his friends began well at the beginning of his afflictions: They came to Job and sat with him for a week, saying nothing, but being present just the same. Then, they began to give advice.

It was sincere advice, but it wasn’t intelligent advice. Their advice grieved Job.

At the end of Job’s ordeal, it was time for reconciliation. Job could have borne a grudge but, in obedience to God, Job prayed for his friends.

We can do our friends no greater service than to take what we know of their crises, burdens, fears, and joys to the Lord in prayer. We impede the work of God when we choose to gossip, pontificate, and prognosticate about the situations of our friends.

Pray for your friends, as only true friends can. – Luther