Only by Invitation (Part I)

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18, New King James Version).

This is the key Bible verse for our “Come and See” devotional today.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ was very passionate on the subject of prayer and at one point, He taught His disciples to pray.  Before His preordained arrest at Gethsemane, He rebuked Peter saying “…couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40, New International Version). A prayer is a communication between mankind and God, and is a crucial step because God does not become involved in the affairs of men and women unless invited. This spiritual truth is evident in the statement He made before and immediately after the creation of mankind when He blessed them saying: “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ (Genesis 1:28, New International Version).

After this blessing, God reverted to being a visitor of men and women on this earth. After the ownership of the earth was given to Adam and Eve, God started paying them regular visits. Although God created heaven and earth, He only helps us concerning our earthly matters if we ask Him to become involved. As the Bible indicates: “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8, New International Version).

Daniel was imprisoned in the lions’ den for daring to pray openly. However, Daniel’s predicament did not go unnoticed by the Most High God because darkness and light are the same before Him. Daniel called upon the Almighty God through his prayers for his much-needed rescue from the long and sharp fangs of the lions. In the end he said: “My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” (Daniel 6:22, New International Version).

Daniel’s experiences show that the Almighty Father is interested in every detail of our lives, no matter how trivial they may seem: even the numbers of the hairs on your head are counted. We do not need to struggle alone in meeting life’s challenges because He is eagerly waiting for our requests for help, through our prayers. God rules in the affairs of men only through invitation on the altar of prayers. Thus: 1st Timothy 2 verses 1-3 states: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,”

Let us pray: “Father, I invite you to take the lead in every affair of my life, to the Glory of your name,” in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

This message was brought to you by Evangelical Ministries International (EMI). We know this message has been a blessing to you. Please share your testimonies with us by visiting our website www.evangelicalministries.org or contact us on info@evangelicalministries.org. God bless you!