Praying the Distance
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful"
Colossians 4:2
Colossians 4:2
Kevin
wiped a tear from his eye as he held out a slip of paper for my wife,
Cari, to read. He knew Cari and I were praying for our daughter to
return to faith in Jesus. “This note was found in my mother’s Bible
after her death, and I hope it encourages you,” he said. At the top of
the note were the words, “For my son, Kevin.” Below them was a prayer
for his salvation.
“I carry this with me in my own Bible today,” Kevin explained. “My mother prayed for my salvation for more than thirty-five years. I was far away from God, and I’m a believer now.” He looked intently at us and smiled through his tears: “Never give up praying for your daughter—no matter how long it takes.”
His words of encouragement made me think of the introduction to a story Jesus told about prayer in the gospel of Luke. Luke begins with the words, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
In the story, Jesus contrasts an “unjust judge” (v. 6) who answers a request merely because he doesn’t want to be further bothered, with a perfect heavenly Father who cares deeply for us and wants us to come to Him. We can be encouraged whenever we pray to know that God hears and welcomes our prayers.
“I carry this with me in my own Bible today,” Kevin explained. “My mother prayed for my salvation for more than thirty-five years. I was far away from God, and I’m a believer now.” He looked intently at us and smiled through his tears: “Never give up praying for your daughter—no matter how long it takes.”
His words of encouragement made me think of the introduction to a story Jesus told about prayer in the gospel of Luke. Luke begins with the words, “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
In the story, Jesus contrasts an “unjust judge” (v. 6) who answers a request merely because he doesn’t want to be further bothered, with a perfect heavenly Father who cares deeply for us and wants us to come to Him. We can be encouraged whenever we pray to know that God hears and welcomes our prayers.
Reflect & Pray
Who’s constantly in your prayers for salvation? How does it help to know of others’ stories of answered prayer?
Abba,
Father, thank You that no request is too large or too small for You.
Help me to pray faithfully for those who do not yet know You!
Have many unbelievers in my life who haven't had a personal relationship with the Lord. But the power of PRAYER is mighty and so powerful and God hears our cry and hears our call for Him to reach those that don't know him. Don't stop praying for those in your life that don't know Him yet, God hears your cry and wants to reach those in your life that don't know him. This is such an encouraging piece!
ReplyDeleteA mother's prayer for her children is a most powerful thing. It's easy to get wrapped up in the 'doing' of our faith, yet forget that prayer is our most effective tool. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading of the fervent prayer of a saint for an unsaved soul and yet this saint died with his friend still in a rejecting state. However, this friend would later become a believer and strong follower of the way. Even our prayers may be answered past the time we have on this earth and personally I need to keep the perspective of eternity in mind and not so easily give up on someone as I often tend to do. This was a convicting message for those with a patience that is short.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to pray and connect with God is a wonderful thing. It is up to the Spirit to draw people to God and we need to be open to know what we should do in the process. God's plan is in progress, we need to check in with Him.
ReplyDeleteThis addresses exactly what I was lamenting a few devotions ago. I have so many in my family who are unbelievers. I have more unbelievers than who do believe and sometimes, especially as some of them age, I find myself getting anxious. I need to pray first to trust in God with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, and then continue to pray for my family members.
ReplyDelete