DCLM Daily Manna 16 February 2024 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Ought About Prayer
TOPIC: The Ought About Prayer (DCLM Daily Manna 16 February 2024)
KEY VERSE: “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).
TEXT: Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
MESSAGE:
One of the city-dwelling relatives of a farmer visited him. Before dinner, the farmer bowed his head and said grace. His sophisticated relative jeered: “This is old- fashioned; nobody with an education prays at the table anymore.” The farmer admitted that the practice was old and even conceded that there were some on his farm who did not pray before their meals. Feeling justified, the relative remarked: “So enlightenment is finally reaching the farm. Who are these wise ones?” The farmer replied, “My pigs.”
Truly, those who live without praying identify with the lower animals that possess neither the instinct nor the ability to pray. But because we were made in the image of God, we have a natural inclination to God, which finds expression through worship (including prayer). Man cannot do without God. Christ’s parable in today’s text about the importunate widow and the unjust judge was fittingly designed to teach us one lesson: men ought always to pray, and not faint. In the parable, the helpless widow depended on the reluctant judge for justice against her oppressors. Her persistence won the day.
Christ did not mean that God is difficult to approach or reluctant to attend to our prayers as was the unjust judge. It was to teach us that if the unrighteous judge could be moved by the perseverance of a hopeless widow to do justice, we have every reason to expect our compassionate God to answer those who cry to Him “day and night” for interventions.
Prayer is, basically, an acknowledgment of our rightful dependence on God. We must do it with faith in God’s goodness and faithfulness. He is able to meet our needs and solve our problems. But we must pray.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Prayer is a privilege, a priority and a power source.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Joshua 19-21
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
