by Tonja Taylor
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.--Galatians 6:9, NLT
God is faithful to reward our work, however we give to His Kingdom; prayer, finances, material goods, encouragement, service--He will reward it all. We are the Light in the world, and we are making a difference, no matter how it seems!
Sometimes I have been tempted to stop praying for people, especially after praying for them for years.
The devil has whispered things like, "What's the use? There is no change. Why waste your time and energy?"
However, he--the devil--is the father of lies, and can't tell the truth.
But when we pray, King Jesus prays!
Jesus our LORD is the High Priest of our confession, and when we are born again by believing in what His pure blood accomplished for us on the cross over 2,000--by cleansing us of the huge, horrid guilt of all our sins--then our prayers to the Father go through Him, and He is faithful to represent us to Jehovah!
Hallelujah!
We like to see results. We like things to be accomplished quickly.
Only the LORD knows the heart--and life experiences that have caused the good and bad--of every person, so only He knows why they react as they do.
We have to keep asking Him to help us not to judge people, but to judge Him, the LORD, forever faithful!
(There are times and seasons to life, and I've heard at least one well-respected, internationally-known preacher say the LORD told him to stop praying for a certain person. However, that is the exception.)
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.--I Thess. 5:16, NLT
The LORD knows every circumstance of our lives, and even when we feel weak, and may not be praying fully in faith, we remember that I John 5:14-15 says that when we pray in His will, we know that He hears us, and that we have what we ask!
It doesn't say that we have to feel like we're in faith, and we can't trust feelings, anyway! It says that "when we pray in His will," and praying His Word back to Him is an excellent way of praying in His will!
Hallelujah!
We also know that Jesus takes our words in His will to Father God.
But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises.--Hebrews 8:6, NLT
Jesus talks to God the Father about us and our requests.
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.--Hebrews 4;14-16, NLT
Just having the attention of the King of the universe, and being able to approach Him (through Jesus) any time, anywhere, and know that we will be received is phenomenal!
So, He is our best Friend, and, when we get weary, spending time with Him in prayer, worship, and listening to the Word, is the best way to go! Glory!
Keep on praying. Keep on serving. Keep on giving.
You are making a positive difference in this needy, dark world, evey day!
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.--Matthew 5:14-16, NLT
Tonja K. Taylor and her husband of almost 18 years live to exalt God. Tonja tutors K-12 kids and adults in core and creative subjects online, and is available for presentations and workshops on many subjects, from writing to worship to health. Book IV of The P.O.W.E.R.* Girl series is almost done!
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