Praise
the Lord!!
"...
I will not let you go unless you bless me". (Genesis 32:26)
The
Old Testament speaks much about outward, physical blessings from God, and the
New Testament tells us of the more important, invisible spiritual blessings
that we have in Jesus Christ. Both kinds of blessings are far more important
than most of us can imagine. What can we do to receive these blessings from the
Lord? "The most obvious instruction from the Lord is that we are to ask in
prayer for an outpouring of God's favor", writes Jim Cymbala. In I
Chronicles we read of Jabez. What made him stand out in his generation? It was
his prayer! Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would
bless me and enlarge my territory!” Please notice the emphatic words,
"Jabez cried out". It was not just a prayer coming from his lips but
from the depth of his heart. What was the outcome? God granted his request!
Halleluiah! Jabez's prayer reminds us of another person in the Bible - Jacob
who had a personal encounter with the Lord one night! In that moment of
solitude, Jacob wrestled with God crying, "I will not let you go unless
you bless me" (Genesis 32:26), and The Bible tells, "Then He (The
Lord) blessed him”. (vs:29) It is very rare to see these kind of passionate
desperate prayers these days. People all over the world feel that fervent,
heartfelt prayer is not necessary today. They say that, since God is love, we
just have to ask Him once politely, what we need and everything will turn out
fine. How easily people are misguided! Let us take the example of our Lord
Jesus. "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and
petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from
death". (Hebrews 5:7) If Jesus Himself prayed so, then why should we
restrict ourselves from pouring out our hearts to the Lord in prayer?
Dear
friends, surely seeking God with our whole heart is the right kind of prayer
that secures not just answers, but the blessings of the Lord that we all need.
PRAYER: Almighty God, let me not
deceive myself that praying prolonged prayers, agonizing in prayer and waiting
upon the Lord in prayer are all old fashioned terms. Let me passionately and
desperately long for your blessings while I pray. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
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