Title Let's Pray
Contents Do you know what day tomorrow is? This is the day the special morning prayer meeting begins. I have an elder friend who emails me.
We had a special early morning prayer meeting for 40 days at the church we serve, and I wish you peace in Chamju from Daejeon to Gwangju. Shalom!!
Today, as usual, I left my house in Gwangju at dawn
After the 40-day special morning prayer led by God's purpose,
Having a delicious breakfast at church
I got on the express bus and headed to Daejeon, where the office is located.
Today is the 39th day, so the burden of obligation will be relieved tomorrow (Friday).
But the Holy Spirit doesn't let it go just because it's over
I feel that I continue to build altars as a holy habit.
God's purpose leading up to this morning
{40 Days Special Early Morning Prayer} ended with grace
But the end is not important
From now on, continue that holy habit
Early morning prayer until the day God calls
Establishing a balance as the most important routine
I think our lives will be
Because of the love and sacrifice of many people...
Everyone forgot about the difficulties
After looking back and encouraging each other, we finally did it.
I thought the pastor was the most difficult
Not at all uncomfortable, but rather, the hardworking saints
In the last words of encouragement every day,
I also wiped away the flowing tears and was grateful and moved.
Brothers and sisters, we will also start a special early morning prayer meeting tomorrow. What would you do? We hope you decide to attend. Please decide to pray for our children who are taking the SAT on November 23rd. I hope you will decide to pray for the revival that will be held on November 27th.
Dear saints, we also want to create a new history of Advent Church at this special morning prayer meeting. We can too. I hope you believe it. Especially in today's text, the Lord commands us to pray. Then, in the face of the special morning prayer meeting, how should we pray?
1. You must always pray.
2. Do not be discouraged and pray persistently.
Brothers and sisters, we must always pray. However, if answers do not come when we pray, we may become discouraged and give up our prayers. Not only do we give up on prayer, but there are times when the roots of our faith are shaken. Even in such cases, Jesus told the story of a widow, advising us to always pray and not give up.
In a certain city there was an unjust judge who disregarded both God and man. A widow lived in that city. The widow had an enemy who was tormenting her unjustly. She appealed to this unjust judge. The judge was annoyed and paid no attention. The widow had no hope that her problems would be resolved. A widow is one who does not have a husband who can defend herself. Because widows were socially ignored, there was no social pressure to move the judges. Because the widow was financially poor, she couldn't even afford the bribe the judge liked. It's really desperate.
Nevertheless, Jesus says, the widow has found a way. The trick is that she visits them day and night to annoy the judge. Wherever the judge goes, he goes and weeps. not a day. Not even a week. It's been a month or two, and I'm not disappointed and I'm going to go find it. Eventually the unjust judge surrendered, and the widow got what she wanted.
Dear brothers and sisters, what is the main point of Jesus' story of the widow? Just as the widow's persevering attitude moved an unjust judge, we are saying that our persevering prayer is the key to moving God. That's right. Dear brothers and sisters, we hope that you will never be discouraged because of the delay in answers while praying. Please continue to pray patiently. Please pray until you receive God's answer.
But we might be skeptical. “Do you know how earnestly I prayed like this widow? But there was no response. Does God really hear our prayers? Or has not God forsaken me? I am in a complicated dilemma.” But, saints, God is faithful. The problem is that we pray for a while and then give up.
Jesus encourages us by giving us another reason to pray persistently and not be discouraged. Verses 6-8. “Hear what the unjust judge has to say, saith the Lord. How much more will God not avenge his elect, who cry out day and night, and will he be patient with them? Hallelujah! Dear brothers and sisters, the God who hears our prayers is our Father God who cannot be compared with an unrighteous judge.
Brothers and sisters, we are not annoying God to force Him to answer prayers. God loves us. God cares about us. Also, God has commanded us to pray and has promised to answer our prayers. Therefore, God loves to hear our prayers. He enjoys communing with God through prayer. And He loves to hear and answer our prayers. I hope you believe it.
saints, Please never be discouraged if answers do not come when we pray. Please continue to pray patiently. Surely our Heavenly Father will answer your prayers.
3. We must pray in faith.
After giving examples of the story of the widow and the case of God, Jesus concluded the following: Verse 8. “But will you find faith in the world when the Son of Man comes?” Here the Lord said, “When the Son of Man comes, will you see anyone praying on the earth?” I didn't. The Lord said, “When the Son of Man comes, will you find faith in the world?” That's what you did. Because prayer is faith expressed in words.
Dear brothers and sisters, prayer is believing. Prayer is faith. Prayer is giving thanks instead of complaining. Prayer is trusting instead of doubting. Persevering prayer without giving up is a practical faith that never gives up and trusts to the end. Please pray with this kind of faith.
Dear saints, the Lord did not say, “When the Son of Man comes, he will not find faith in the world.” Also, the Lord did not say, “When the Son of Man comes, you will find faith.” The Lord left a possibility by asking, “Will you find faith in the world when the Son of Man comes?” He left an uncertain lingering impression that could or may not be seen soon. But, dear saints, what is certain in these words of the Lord is “when the Son of Man comes”. The Lord is definitely coming. The Lord is faithful. The problem lies with us. We are easily suspicious. Trust well and get anxious easily. In this way, we can be discouraged. Dear saints, however, I hope you will continue to pray with faith until the end.
Dear saints, I hope you know that the prayer of faith is “until the Son of Man comes”. Our prayers may not be fulfilled in our lifetime, but may come later. I had this happen to me too. This is a prayer for my eldest son. He came to us with cerebral palsy and returned to the Lord when he was 6 years old. I prayed for healing. In Jesus Christ, I am waiting in faith for the answer to this prayer. I hope you believe that all our prayers will be answered when the Son of Man comes.
Dear saints, the special early morning prayer meeting will start tomorrow. It is difficult to get up early. The weather is also cold. It will be even more difficult for those who are far away from the church. But, gentlemen, God knows all of our circumstances. The problem is the attitude of our hearts. The problem is our beliefs. Consider that some people attended the special early morning prayer meeting for 40 days from Daejeon to Gwangju. The Church of Love held a special early morning prayer meeting at the Jangchung Gymnasium. He said he would get up at 2 or 3 o'clock to attend.
Saints, we can do it too. Just do it. Let's try it this time.