Focused Prayer - November 3, 2019

S. Mark 14:37-38 “Then He returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray so that you will not give into temptation. For the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak.’”

O. Jesus teachers His followers to stay focused to the their call and pray - so that they will not fall into temptation. Focused prayer is a key to overcoming the weakness of the flesh.

I have observed during my life that when people are tired (myself included), we seem to have a natural bent to make costly mistakes, to sin, to error and grieve God. The flesh is weak when we are tired. However, during these times, until our bodies can receive the rest, temptation does not take a break; therefore, we must come to God with focused prayers asking for His strength.

A. I will continue to practice times of focused prayer (along with meditation, Bible Reading and worship songs) not only when I’m alert, but also in those moments when I am extremely tired.

P. Thank you Father for this reminder. Holy Spirit fill me and lead me to more times of focused prayer to strengthen me against times of temptation. in Jesus’ name!

Why I Observe 21 Days of Prayer - Daniel 10:13

S. Daniel 10:13 “But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the Kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the Kingdom of Persia.”

O. This is a clear example (one of a few) that illustrates the spiritual battle that goes on in the unseen world against demonic forces…and that prayer and fasting may affect the outcome.

A. I will continue to pray daily and twice a year commit to a focused 21 days of prayer and fasting, interceding for others, praising God for who He is and petitioning (asking) Him for his continued favor and protection in my life.

P. Thank you Father for the word today. Thank you for the encouragement of answered prayer and for the idea of a focused period of time … 21 days.. of intense prayer and fasting.

Trusting God Because His Ways are Unfathomably Higher Than Ours -

S. Isaiah 55:9

“For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

O.

God reminds us that His ways and thoughts are unfathomably beyond ours. It’s good to remember that when we are interceding for the lost, or for seemingly impossible situations. In that light, remember also:

*Light is more powerful than darkness

*Truth is stronger than error

*There’s more grace in God’s heart than sin in man’ hearts.

*There’s more power in the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin than there is power of satanic forces to tempt men to sin.

*There’s more power in one drop of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus to cleanse men’s hearts from the stain of sin than there is in the accumulated sins of men since Adam and Eve. (p.876 New Spirit Filled Life Bible, Jack Hayford)

A.

I will continue to pray and trust God for his unfathomable ways. I will pray bold prayers of faith believing God to do the impossible; believing God to do far beyond what anyone thinks is possible.

P.

Father, thank you for this word today. Holy Spirit give me wisdom, boldness and grace as I intercede for others and trust God to do what only He can do. In Jesus’ name!