Devotional
for the Week—26 February 2007
Prayer—Key
to Revival: What is Prayer – Devotion?
Scripture Text: Luke
2: 25-40
In
the Luke 2, we read of two persons by the name of Simeon and Anna.
They were waiting for the Consolation of Israel and the redemption
of Jerusalem. In the backdrop of the busy bustling world, the
spotlight was cast on two obscure but significant individuals:
Simeon and Anna. They were described as devout persons and seekers
of God.
Why is it important to Seek God in prayer?
1.
It defines our worship.
Prayer is more than asking for our needs to be met. Prayer in
its fullest sense is the language of our soul communion with God.
To merely view prayer as a ministry resource is inadequate because
this is not God’s only intention. For God created Man as
a spiritual being. We have a unique spiritual conscientiousness
which desires God. Prayer, thus, is the language of the soul;
the language that rises to God’s throne. It is the language
of the soul’s quest to sit in audience with God. For after
all, prayer is not “using” God but finding God (Deuteronomy
4: 29) and delighting in who He is.
2.
It deepens our life.
The word “Devotion” also refers to “Consecration”
– which refers to the setting apart of anything to the worship
or service of God. Devotion is a part of the very spirit of true
worship, and is of the nature of the spirit of prayer. Devotion
thus belongs to devout man, whose thoughts and feelings are devoted
to God. God can wonderfully use such men, for devout men are His
chosen agents in carrying forward His plans
3.
It develops our faith.
Faith, the muscle of our spirit does not develop itself in empty
vacuum or in the school of the world, but in the school of ardent
prayer. God dwells where the spirit of devotion resides. The early
church was powerful because they had learnt the necessity of waiting
prayer in order to build up a strong faith. Acts 6: 2-4 shows
us that the Apostles refused to let any urgency or pressures from
the world cause them to neglect prayer. They saw prayer as their
chief work and chose to persist in it. For without extended and
consecrated prayer, the ministry of the Word withers up. This
causes faith (Rom 10:17) and holiness (John 17: 17) to decline.
Therefore, whatever opposes prayer, opposes the whole work of
the ministry.
Conclusion
We are warned of the insidious and subtle danger of sacred substitutes.
Many a Christian is not destroyed by the worldly forces or satanic
schemes but by the clotted, unkempt vineyard of the inner soul.
The blame lies in the self-destructive, prayer-less habits cultivated
by the individual Christian.
Have you taken the step to spend time with the Lord, to seek His
face every morning? If you have not done so, be encouraged to
spend at least 15 minutes pouring out your love to Him. When you
draw close to Him, He will draw close to you.
Prayer Response:
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me if I have in any way allowed the fire
of your Spirit to be quenched. May your Spirit of prayer and devotion
come upon me so that I may spend time in worship and communion
with You. Bless these times of prayer in Jesus Christ’s
name, Amen.
Devotional
based on a message by Rev. Vincent Goh