.
• Col 4:2 . . Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
The Greek word for "devote" is proskartereo (pros-kar-ter-eh'-o) which
means: to persevere; viz: not give up and/or lose interest.
• Luke 18:1 . . And he spoke a parable unto them to this end: that people
ought always to pray, and not lose heart.
For many of us, prayer is a last resort; a grasping at straws because we
simply have nowhere else to turn. We wish for success with prayer, while
not really expecting it because we already know from plenty of experience
that prayer too often leads into a cul-de-sac of perplexity and
discouragement; so then, what's the use? In other words: prayer is very
difficult for some Christians because it's often so futile.
Why doesn't God respond? And if He's not going to respond, then why keep
on making a fool of ourselves trying to get through to an imaginary
playmate when all the while its phone is off the hook?
C.S. Lewis-- famed author of "The Screwtape Letters" and "The Chronicles
Of Narnia" --once remarked that he prayed, not because he expected results
but, because it made him feel better.
Well, if prayer makes you feel better, then more power to you-- in point of
fact, I highly recommend conversational prayer because talking things out
with somebody, even an imaginary playmate, is far and away better than
holding everything in.
There are instances in the Old Testament where God actually sent His people
troubles just to get their attention and start them talking to Him again. Sort
of like a little boy in third grade spitting on the hair of a girl sitting in front of
him so she'll notice him. (chuckle) Well, if God spits on your hair, so to
speak, then maybe it's time you and He had a fireside chat.
Nobody knows the trouble I've been through,
Nobody knows my sorrow,
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen.
Sometimes I'm up,
Sometimes I'm down.
Oh, yes, Lord; sometimes I'm almost to the ground.
Well; some of us would be to the ground were it not for going to prayer
instead. (cf. Luke 18:1)
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