Prayer That Works

January 16

(Acts 1:24 NIV)  "Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen"

(Acts 1:14 NIV)  "They all joined together constantly in prayer..."

(Romans 12:12 NIV)  "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

(Philippians 4:6 NIV)  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

The early church prayed constantly because they believed that God is sovereign. They trusted God enough to pray that His sovereign will would be revealed to them, and that it would be worked out in their lives. They wanted to be in the will of God more than they wanted anything else. One of the reasons so many Christians are confused about the will of God these days is that they seldom get down to seeking God’s will in prayer. Couple that with a general apathy about spending time in God’s word, and you end up with sheep who can be led around by almost any shepherd who tickles their ears. They operate by feelings, instead of by the word and prayer. Sincere prayer, coupled with time in the word, can lead us to where God wants us to be. Get back to prayer -- not to get what you want, but to discern what God wants you to have. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day