Often we do not know how to pray though we feel a desperate need to do so. Here are a few scriptural encouragements that cry out to the only one who holds the answers
In the sermon on the mount Jesus gave us a pattern for prayer. While some question whether its closing verse is part of the original, Solomon prayed with almost the same words more than one thousand years earlier. May it continue to be our own petition till heaven’s kingdom and will indeed are done on earth.
And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Luke 7:37-38 ESV
Luke doesn’t try to put a positive spin on the fact that this woman was a sinner. Actually, this story hinges on the sinfulness of the woman and the grace of God. Many of us are like this woman except that we wear 21st century clothes. What has not changed is that we have exactly the same problem. If we follow this woman’s example, we will find that Jesus has exactly the same solution!
Are we willing to go into the Pharisees house and put ourselves in a vulnerable position before Jesus Christ? Are we ready to go into a place where we might be criticized, ostracized or tossed out? This woman came and wasted no time going to Jesus. She must have decided that if she was going to be tossed out at least she would have time to pour out her alabaster flask. Yet as she drew close to Jesus something unexpected happened. She began to weep for her sins and the tears fell on His feet. Then seeing the tears coursing through the dust on His feet she knelt and began to wipe them with her hair and kissed them and anointed them with her oil. She might not have understood what was happening and the Pharisee certainly had no clue. The throne of grace is an awesome place. We never know what will happen when we get there. What we can know is that when we get there Jesus is ready to receive us and forgive our every sin!
When our eyes first open and the sun peeks in
We can thank the Lord as our day begins
Or when storms close in with darkening skies
And we run for shelter to our dear Lord's side
When we've run the race as far as we can
He renews our strength as we pray to Him
In brightest day and darkest night
In every victory - through every fight
When we stand up strong or when we fall down
If we'll pray to the end He has promised a crown
For it's not by wisdom that our battle’s won
Nor by our strength that the race is run
For He gives when we ask
When we seek - We will find
If we pray and not faint
To the end of the line!To the End of the Line by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2022
All rights reserved
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Luke 18:1 ESV
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