The Greater Work

“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.” - Oswald Chambers

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” -  Oswald Chambers

 

**********************************************

 

God is reminding me these days that prayer is the greater work that He desires from me before I do anything else.  In recent days, while praying for family and dear friends, I have sometimes been discouraged that I could not do more for them and caught myself thinking and saying, “Well at least I can pray.”  God is teaching me that prayer is the best I can offer them and that he will provide a way if I am to do more.  And He is being faithful to do that.

 

I am so grateful that we have the privilege of praying any time of the day or night.  Being the recipient of so many of you praying for me, there is nothing like feeling the impact of those prayers and knowing that by believing and asking in Jesus’ name, they have been answered.  Sometimes the response has been “Yes”; sometimes “No”; and sometimes “Wait, I have something else for you.”

 

Father, please continue to teach me the greater work of praying, trusting, and waiting on you and then to respond in obedience.

 

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Romans 12:12

 

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 

Ephesians 6:18

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

 

 Be joyful always;  pray continually;  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 I Thessalonians 5:16-18