Learn To Keep Praying And Not Faint

Luke 18:1 – And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. (KJV)

A few days ago, I began to go through one of my older journals, and I came across this quotation from Hudson Taylor: "Move men for God through prayer alone." I then decided, as a reminder, to copy those wise words down into this year's journal too. Tonight, when I couldn't sleep, I ran across the quotation again, and began thinking about several people I have been praying for, for several years, without much result — at least I don't see any changes in their lives yet.

Last week, I read something that made me rethink how and what I was praying for these people. Most of what I asked the Lord to do was simply to save so and so, and keep them safe. What this writer seemed to be saying was that we should ask the Lord to send hard places into those people's lives — very hard, fearful trials that might cause them to cry out to Jesus for help.

I had never thought of this. But this made sense, because it was a deep sense of fear that had caused me to get busy seeking after the Lord. During that time, I thought that I would be willing to have even my right arm cut off if I could stop those terrible loud crushing thoughts about heaven and hell, about my being lost. I was terrified, and I truly wanted to be saved. When people get to that point, they will get busy seeking the Lord. During those difficult months, or, should I say, years, a few people told me that they were praying for me, and eventually the Lord saved me. Then His peace filled my heart, and in due course, I overcame those terrible fears. That place was hard to live through, but now I thank my Lord for everything I experienced. It was worth it.

So if we have loved ones and neighbours who are lost, let us begin asking the Lord to help us to know how to pray and what to pray. I'll be doing that too.

Prayer: Lord, please guide us in the matter of how we are to pray for those who are lost and don't even seem to be concerned at all about this. We truly want multitudes to come to You, before it is too late for them. Help us, please. Amen.