Orange Moon Tuesday, July 12, 2022 "Always To Pray" - Part 7 - Conclusion

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Always To Pray"

Part 7 - Conclusion

"Men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

(Luke 18:1)

     I smiled when I typed "Conclusion" as I began the finale of this series of messages on prayer.  There will never be a conclusion to prayer, either in our understanding or practice of so wondrous a privilege and responsibility.

   "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

    In His prayer just before the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ reveals "life eternal" to be more about relation than duration.  Rather than how long we will exist, the Lord emphasizes who we will know forevermore.  This explains the Apostle John's declaration that believers already "have eternal life" (I John 5:13).  We already know God, albeit in far more limited scope and measure than we will experience when entering our Lord's direct Heavenly presence.  Prayer constitutes a primary means of knowing Him by faith as we consciously commune with Him through praise, thanksgiving, request, intercession, confession, and the realization of how near and available our Father is to us.  "The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Hebrews 7:19).

   Prayer makes possible the experience of eternity, as known in time.  God's answers to our prayers bear eternal significance and consequence.  The "daily bread" for which we pray makes possible our walk with God whereby He works in us to accomplish things that will forever resonate with His glory and His involvement in our hearts and lives.  "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it" (Ecclesiastes 3:14).  Considering that many of God's doings proceed from our praying, the blessed gift of communion with Him shines far more brightly in the light of its eternal value and consequence.  "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever…"

   We conclude our consideration of a reality that will never reach a conclusion.  The includes both our understanding and application of prayer.  Whatever even the most godly among us know about the gift, or how faithfully they pray, their journey into the heart of an infinite God has just begun. Thus, the prayer of the disciples uttered so long ago bears no less significance and necessity than it did when our brethren of old sought their Master's help and counsel.  Let us often echo their request so that we might found fulfilling the privilege and responsibility of "always to pray, and not to faint..."

"Lord, teach us to pray."

(Luke 11:1)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(Romans 5:1-2)

   

   

   

  

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