Grow in God's Love Each Morning!

Word Of God:

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”- James 3:17-18

Daily Devotion:

Before the Throne!

"I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions,and giving of thanks be made for all men" (1 Tim 2:1)

Every child of God is a priest before Him representing the needs of people. When we forget this, we fail in our primary responsibility. What should we pray for?

First of all, we are to pray for "all" men for their salvation. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim 2:1,3,4). Our prayers should encompass all men. We should have a global vision. Paul asked in Romans 10:14, "How can they hear without someone preaching to them?" On the basis of 1 Tim 2:1,3,4, shall we ask, "How can they be saved without someone praying for them?"

Then we are to pray for God's people for their revival and restoration. The Church that is, is not the Church that was. The Church that is, is not the Church that should be. By and large we are backslidden and have lost the former glory. This is the condition of the majority of the Churches. Five out of the seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3 were rebuked by Christ. They represent our condition. In the first Church—Ephesus—Christ was in the midst of the candlesticks, but as we come to the last Church—Laodicea—Christ is out knocking for an entrance! The Church does not miss her Lord but continues functioning! "Lord, will You not revive us again?" (Psa 85:6). Joel the Prophet of the last days calls the priests of the Lord to prayers and tears (Joel 1:13;2:17). We have preached, printed and published enough about revival, but not prayed enough for revival. That's why revival tarries! A sick Church cannot save a dying world. Let revival be the first item in our daily prayer list.

Thirdly, we are to pray for the believers with whom we closely move or work. This may refer to the members of the same local Church or fellowship. "Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (Js 5:16). Formal greeting and shaking of hands are not enough. Remember your fellow-believers before the Throne regularly. We are not independent but interdependent. We cannot manage with our own prayers. Jesus wanted His disciples to watch with Him in prayer. Paul beseeched the believers to strive with him in prayer. Let's pray for one another— really, fervently. It is to be noted that the requests in the Lord's prayer are not for "me" but for "us."

Prayer:

Create in me a pure heart, O my God,And renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope!
Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause,O my Best-Beloved,And by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path,O Thou the Goal of my desire!Through the power of Thy transcendent might Lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness,O Source of my being,And by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me,O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquillity on me,O my Companion,And let the riches of Thine ancient countenance Deliver me from all except Thee,O my Master,And let the tidings of the revelation of Thine Incorruptible Essence bring me joy,O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest And the most hidden of the hidden! Amen.