Daily Devotional
Do You Labor With God?
“Who, in the days of His flesh, when He [Jesus] had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear.”
Hebrews 5:7
August 7, 2020
Ponder This
My Savior prayed with “vehement cries and tears.” How that rebukes me. When was the last time you shed a tear over some soul that is mortgaged to the devil? When was the last time you, like Jacob, said, “[Oh God,] I will not let You go unless You bless me” (Genesis 32:26)? When was the last time you “labored with God in prayer” (Colossians 4:12)?
Prayer is hard work! For the energy it takes, I’d rather preach than pray. I’d rather study than pray. It takes work to pray. And here is our Savior, who was praying passionately. We need that same passion in our prayers.
The effect of my preaching is not measured by how my sermons are outlined or illustrated, but by the power of Almighty God upon my life because I’ve been alone with God in prayer.
Practice This
The life of the Lord Jesus shows us by His example how we should pray. Set aside a time every day to get alone with God in prayer.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
