DON'T STOP PRAYING , PRAYER WORKS

Knowing JESUS Daily Devotional | January 10, 2019 | Enrich and Sustain your relationship with Jesus reading our daily devotional – Hosea 12:2-4 – The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

Beloved, right from the outset of creation, God the Father delighted and continue to have earnest and passionate delight in communion with His saints. He encouraged them to call upon Him in their troubulous times.

Psalms 50:15. And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. He promised in affirmative to deliver them in trouble as they call upon Him.

Psalms 91:15: He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Also, He promised them speedy response as they prayed.

Isaiah 65:24. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Job 22:27: Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.

Jeremiah 29:11-13. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 33:3. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

BELOVED, IF YOU WILL GO BACK TO MEMORY LANE, YOU SHALL DISCOVER THAT ALL THE SAINTS THAT PREVAILED IN BIBLE DAYS, TRAVAILED WITH GOD IN PRAYER.

So why go from pillar to post? Why go from one revival program to another conference because of challenges, the Bible calls common?

1 Corinthians 10:13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Why on earth have you made merchandise ministers to be milking you, just because of an issue God will address without stress, if you will commune with Him?

Jabez prayed and turned sorrow to honour.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10. And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Hannah a sorrowful barren woman got prophet Samuel, by travailing in prayer.

1 Samuel 1:27. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

Jacob prevailed over his blood thirsty and vengeance driven brother through trailing prayer.

Genesis 32:24-30. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Hezekiah conquered life threatening sickness through travailing prayer.

Isaiah 38:1-5 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.

You also shall turn this intimidating challenge in your life and family to testimony, if you will pray.

Luke 21:13. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

YOU KNOW I SEE YOU TRIUMPHING THROUGH GOD, SO GO AHEAD AND PRAY. The blessed Holy Spirit challenged all saints and believers of all ages and that includes you, to travail in prayer and triumph in whatever challenges confronting their lives, by using the victory of Jacob over Esau to speak to them, till the end of time. See it.

Hosea 12:2-4. The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS INSPIRATION, IF JACOB PREVAILED AND SPEAKS TO YOU, CERTAINLY AND ASSUREDLY, YOU ALSO SHALL PREVAIL OVER THIS PRESENT CHALLENGE THREATENING YOUR LIFE, MARRIAGE AND SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD IN JESUS NAME.

See otters that travailed through prayer, if they could, why not you?

1. Manasseh :

2 Chronicles 33:12 -13. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

2. King David :

Psalms 56:9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

3. The Israelites :

Psalms 107:6: Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses

Psalms 107:19: Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

Psalms 107:28: Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

God promised you something that has been eluding you? You can only have God promises fulfilled on the altar of prayer, so pray and possess your possessions in Jesus name.

Ezekiel 36:37. Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

HOWEVER, ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS, NEVER EVER FORGET. A PRAYING MAN WILL NOT SIN. A SINNING MAN WILL NOT PRAY.

This is because sin hinders prayer at all times. But then, you are not supposed to be a sinner but a saint, so pray and God shall answer your prayer.

Isaiah 59:1-2. Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalms 66:18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

But just in case you have been overtaken by sin, then, there is a way out for answers to your prayers.

2 Chronicles 7:14. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

What are you waiting for, go ahead and do what the scriptures say and pray and this challenge shall turn to testimony for you in Jesus name.

Jesus Christ our Lord came to this world, not only to redeem us but to teach believers of all ages, especially you, how to live a lifetime and. lifestyle of conquests through travailing prayer.

Acts 1:1. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

He began His earthly ministry by prayer and ended it, prior to the cross of Calvary through consistent prevailing prayer . See how the scriptures affirmed this assertion.

1. Beginning of His earthly ministry :

Luke 3:21-22. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

2. During His earthly ministry :

Mark 1:35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Matthew 14:23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Luke 6:12. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

3. At the end of His earthly ministry before the cross of Calvary.

Luke 22:41-44. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

See His teachings for believers of all ages and you in particular :

1. You must never faint because you have prayed and not received answer , but to continue praying:,

Luke 18:1. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2. If you lack anything, don’t beg but pray:

James 1:5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

3. Intercessory , ask, seek and find to get good things from your loving Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:7-11. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

4. Manner of prayer : prayer begins with thanksgiving and adoration and ends also with thanksgiving and worshiping God for His unmerited manifold blessings you have received before.

Matthew 6:9-13. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Psalm 103:1-2 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

However, sinners prayers shall not be answered: this is because you are supposed to be saintly at all times.

John 9:31. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

WHETHER YOU ARE IN AFRICA, EUROPE OR ASIA, CORINTH OR ROME. IF YOU ARE REDEEMED WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS, YOU ARE CALLED TO BE SAINTS.

See what the Bible says :

1 Corinthians 1:2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Romans 1:7. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

GOD ANSWERS THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND NEVER FORGET THIS ONLY RIGHTEOUSNESS MAKES YOUR PRAYERS EFFECTUAL

1 Peter 3:12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

James 5:16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

See instances of answered prayers of righteous believers.

Acts 12:4-11. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Acts 16:25-26. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

It is time to pray, endeavor to be saintly and remain saintly. God will continually answer your prayers till Jesus comes in Jesus name.

1 John 3:22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

JESUS BEGAN AND ENDED HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY THROUGH TRAVAILING PRAYERS AND TAUGHT BELIEVERS OF ALL AGES AND YOU IN PARTICULAR TO TRAVAIL IN PRAYERS.

Your earnest desire to be part of the dawning rapture shall be granted in Jesus name. But remember satan and his cohorts were dwelling in heaven before they were driven out because of iniquities. These wicked beings have vowed to make it hard for anyone to go to where they have been driven out from. But concerning you, they shall woefully failed in Jesus name.

Revelation 12:12-13 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Revelation 12:17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

THIS WAS WHAT INFORMED THE PRAYER OF PAUL EARNESTLY PRAYING TO GOD TO PRESERVE HIM TO THE END. GOD DID. HE WILL DO SAME FOR YOU TOO IN JESUS NAME.

2 Timothy 4:17-18. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

You will discover that both believers and unbelievers alike delights in praying. But for the Worldling and carefree believers, satan and his cohorts shall with ease deny them from partaking in the dawning rapture or leaving eternally with God in heaven, because when they pray, God will never answer their prayers.

This is because God called them to be saved, they rejected His call. He called them to obey His words in the Bible, they declined. See what the Bible says.

Zechariah 7:13. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:

Proverbs 1:24-30. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Proverbs 28:9. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

But for you, you shall be part of the rapture in Jesus name. So engage in ceaseless travailing prayer to subdue the devil and God will continually answer your prayers till Jesus comes in Jesus name.

Ephesians 6:12-13. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray without ceasing. James 5:13: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

James 5:17-18. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.