PRAYING

......For a gentle spirit!

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)

Lord, in this push and shove world, we Christians have changed. There was a time when we were tender. We had sweetness in us. Pain and disappointment callous our souls. Tragically, we no longer see such an attitude as inconsistent with our faith. Like Peter, we grab for a sword in conflict. How many have You had to heal that we wounded? The world says,”be self-sufficient, tough, strong, and independent. Need nothing or no one.” You prefer child-like innocence. Living in this tough, talk-back world has changed us. We are stiff and unbending. You are God, yet You humbled yourself. We want the grace You only give to the humble. We want to be tender and teachable, gentle and kind again. We see humility as weakness and servants as inferior. We are afraid to put ourselves last. Do You really trace the steps of those who abandon self to serve You, who look not to their own things, but to the things of others? Christ was about selfless devotion, but it is frightening to us. We have lived so long for self. Yes, we have integrated Christian values here and there. But, we have not made a mad rush for the back of the line. We have not crucified self for kingdom causes. Is it just language? Are these merely words? We know genuinely humble and authentic Christians. They were not weak. An inner strength anchors them. Beneath gentle ways, we sense giant strength. Help us with servant hearts. Don’t resist us as proud. Amen.

Today’s Quote

The prayer of the feeblest saint who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan. The very powers of darkness are paralyzed by prayer; no spiritualistic séance can succeed in the presence of a humble praying saint. No wonder Satan tries to keep our minds fussy in active work till we cannot think in prayer.

INTERCEDE

Prayer Exercise:

Pray through Hebrews 11. Don’t just read it, pray it. Look at the connection between faith and prayer. Step into the passage. These people were like you..