Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Psalm 119:130-140
Psalm 119:133 (NLT) "Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil."
Some years ago a young girl was very sick and not expected to recover. Because of her love for Jesus, she was troubled that she had not been able to do more for Him in her short life. Her pastor suggested that she make a list of people in their little town who needed Christ and pray that they might put their faith in Him. She took his advice, made a list, and prayed often for each person.
Some time later God began to stir a revival in the village. The girl heard of the people who were coming to Christ and prayed even more. As she heard reports, she checked off the names of those who had been led to the Lord. After the girl died, a prayer list with the names of 56 people was found under her pillow. All had put their faith in Christ--the last one on the night before her death (Christianglobe.com).
The young girl was specific in how she prayed for others. To be specific means you are "particularly concerned with the subject specified. For David in Psalm 119:133, the importance of being specific started with His prayers to God. Instead of praying, "Oh, God, guide me," he prayed specifically for God to direct His steps according to His word so that he would not be overcome by evil.
Do you see the difference? The broad prayer--"Oh, God, guide me"--doesn't give us any future reason to praise God. Too many of our prayers take broad strokes that seek God's blessings and nothing more. However, prayers that are effective and fervent focus on specific requests. If we pinpoint our prayers, we will have reason to praise God for particular answers.
Before you pray today, reexamine your prayer list. Take the effort to talk those you are praying for and take notes on how God is working in their lives. Even if you only hear a small praise report, know that the power of your definite, specific, and fervent prayer goes farther than broad attempts. Faith Lesson: If we want specific answers to our prayers, we must make individual, personalized requests for those we are praying for.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
READ: Psalm 119:130-140
Psalm 119:133 (NLT) "Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil."
Some years ago a young girl was very sick and not expected to recover. Because of her love for Jesus, she was troubled that she had not been able to do more for Him in her short life. Her pastor suggested that she make a list of people in their little town who needed Christ and pray that they might put their faith in Him. She took his advice, made a list, and prayed often for each person.
Some time later God began to stir a revival in the village. The girl heard of the people who were coming to Christ and prayed even more. As she heard reports, she checked off the names of those who had been led to the Lord. After the girl died, a prayer list with the names of 56 people was found under her pillow. All had put their faith in Christ--the last one on the night before her death (Christianglobe.com).
The young girl was specific in how she prayed for others. To be specific means you are "particularly concerned with the subject specified. For David in Psalm 119:133, the importance of being specific started with His prayers to God. Instead of praying, "Oh, God, guide me," he prayed specifically for God to direct His steps according to His word so that he would not be overcome by evil.
Do you see the difference? The broad prayer--"Oh, God, guide me"--doesn't give us any future reason to praise God. Too many of our prayers take broad strokes that seek God's blessings and nothing more. However, prayers that are effective and fervent focus on specific requests. If we pinpoint our prayers, we will have reason to praise God for particular answers.
Before you pray today, reexamine your prayer list. Take the effort to talk those you are praying for and take notes on how God is working in their lives. Even if you only hear a small praise report, know that the power of your definite, specific, and fervent prayer goes farther than broad attempts. Faith Lesson: If we want specific answers to our prayers, we must make individual, personalized requests for those we are praying for.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
