A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives ·  Archive/print editionThursday, May 1, 2008  Stairs in Charleston South Carolina (photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt)  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Prayer" "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). Last night I watched a few minutes of a broadcasted committee hearing held in our state capitol in Harrisburg. A group was presenting their case for a very sensible moral position, one which would have not been an issue less than 10 years ago. The lead spokesperson was a mild-mannered lady who thoughtfully and graciously presented her case. One of the state senators, a vile man who is "retiring" due to his involvement with corruption, lashed out at her in a vicious and cynical verbal attack that I found extremely difficult to watch. I felt for this lady and scores of others who seek to do good in a culture that is in a deep and rapid moral decline. It's easy to become discouraged and weary under these circumstances. Today is "National Day of Prayer" here in the USA. Daily Encouragement is sent to believers in many different countries all around the world and is written for the spiritual edification of all true believers regardless of where they live. I am unaware if other countries have official national days of prayer, but I hope that they do. I genuinely believe this is a very important day in our country where God has providentially ordained that I should live out my life here on this earth.  Organized efforts for prayer are held in large and small communities throughout the U.S. Here in Lancaster County we have a very well organized and focused prayer task force. The event began last night with a countywide youth rally and all through today there will be Bible reading and intercessory prayer at a large city park. Of course many communities have events as well all through the county and country.Is it worth it? I'm sure I am not the only one who turns that question over in my mind at times. After all, the moral and spiritual state of our country continues to decline. I believe the daily verse, although not specifically related to prayer addresses this question: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). In prayer (as in other acts of obedience to God) we are "sowing" in a manner ordained by the Lord. When we pray earnestly to the true God of heaven, through His Son Jesus Chris,t in faith and humility we are "doing good." Prayer does not always result in an immediate harvest but we have a wonderful promise that "we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." This harvest (reaping) will take place in the "proper time" ordained by God. The "we" in the text are the people of God. The harvest is ultimately spiritual and eternal. The moral decline may very well continue and judgment will most certainly come. The people of God in past generations saw their countries experience God's judgment as a result of their sins. Consider the godly remnant who lived at the time of the fall of Jerusalem during the time of Jeremiah. They lived through horrendous conditions yet in this very context Jeremiah declared "Great is Thy faithfulness." So let me encourage you today, wherever you live, to continue to call out to the one true God. Whatever your circumstances, however serious your situation, regardless of how long you've waited; keep believing and obeying. Keep praying, for we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Be encouraged today, Stephen C. Weber Daily prayer: Father, we ask you to be merciful to our land because You are a loving, forgiving God. You have called on us, Your children, to be a people of prayer and devotion. We pray for our land to repent of neglect and defiance of Your commands. We come against the powers of darkness that seek to extinguish the light of Your salvation that brings help and hope to weary souls in this life and secures their eternal place in heaven. Help us not to grow weary in our intercession, for we want to be faithful in prayer so that, at a future date, we will witness the harvest of souls. We pray for Your will to be accomplished in the name of Jesus, amen. Daily Encouragement Net Reader Survey - We want to thank all of you who took a few minutes to fill in our online survey last week. If you are interested here's a brief summary of the results including some comments and tips regarding technical problems several mentioned having. If you haven't taken the survey yet and would like to do so click here. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Seeds Of Prayer" Audio "God Answers Prayer" Audio "We Come Seeking You" Audio Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
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