In reflecting upon the last few months, the word “unprecedented” kept returning to my thoughts. I thought it might be time to revisit these words …
“On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord …” (Joshua 10:12, NLT)
On the very day of victory, Joshua prayed. Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still so there would be more daylight and Israel would be better able to defeat their enemies. And it did.
“There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day! (Joshua 10:14, NLT)
In sitting for a few minutes, looking at those words before me, the thought comes:
Prayer yields things never before experienced.
That one sentence brings several reminders:
- We must never tire of praying. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT). It was on the very day of victory in which Joshua yet prayed that he received the victory over his enemies.
- Keep on asking. “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11, NLT). This verse does not teach that God will give us everything we ask for regarding extravagance. It is teaching us to persist in prayer. God will answer in the way He knows is best for us.
- Be assured God hears our prayers. “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12, NLT).
May we each persist in prayer and wait expectantly for God to respond.
“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” (Max Lucado)
*This is an edited post which first appeared HERE.
Photo by James Pritchett on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
