Topic: Praying and Looking Up [Thursday March 19, 2015]
Text: Psalm 5:1-7
Key Verse: “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:3).
When an athlete at a school’s sport programme crossed the finish line just ahead of his closest rival, a spectator observed that the winner’s lips were moving through the last couple of laps. He went to find out what the sportsman was saying. “I was praying,” he said. “I was saying pick (my legs)… up, Lord and I’ll put them down.” The man prayed for God’s help and followed up with faith in God for answered prayer.
That was what the Psalmist, David, did in today’s reading. David persisted in prayer with confidence that God would hear him. He determined that he would not live without prayer. Next, he decided that he would offer quality time to God in prayer. If we figure our lives around God, morning prayers will be the natural thing to do. The dawning of each day calls for a fresh start and renewed dedication to God, fellowship with Him and feeding on His word (Psalm 119:147).
Prayer is a two-way affair. When a believer in Christ prays according to the will of God in the name of Jesus, God expects him to exercise faith by “looking up” to receive. God will always play His part by granting our request but requires us to first pray and thereafter obtain the answers through faith.
This relationship however is not for the unsaved. “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquities” (verse 5). A beneficial communication with God can only take place when you repent of sin and invite Jesus Christ, the Son of God to come into your life. There is also need to fully dedicate yourself to living for, loving and serving God. Though the initial experience of knowing God is instantaneous, a lifelong fruitful relationship continues as you abide in His word, righteousness and fellowship with His people till the end.
Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 43-45
Thought for The Day: God still answers prayers of His children.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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