Pondering Point

If you want to see this teaching of Jesus in action, read the story of Stephen in Acts chapters 6-7.

In tomorrow’s prayer for the week for IMMERSION, we will hear the prayer of Stephen, first martyr of the New Testament. He follows in the footsteps of His Master Jesus by seeking mercy for his enemies while being put to death (by stoning). He was willing to sacrifice his life in the cause of Jesus, the same Jesus who sacrificed His life for our sins and rose from the dead victoriously. Stephen took seriously the call to love one’s enemies, to live sacrificially, to commit one’s life into God’s hands – and of course to pray for those who persecute you.

Go back and re-read the above verse and envision Jesus speaking it directly to you. Then engage with God through the prayer below.

Prayer Thoughts
Chapter 39
Witnessing

What do you wish to accomplish through your prayer life? How do you see God working in your life through prayer? I believe setting goals, objectives, or having a vision serves to inform and inspire. Vision clarifies purpose and gives direction. It helps to reflect the uniqueness of a person, to serve as a guide to strategy and action for improving your prayer life. I would hope that your vision for prayer is so powerful that it would shape your prayer life each day. For example, what are your most critical prayer concerns? Does it include prayer for opportunities to witness? Does it include particular people whom you would like to share the Gospel? Once a person has an understanding that witnessing is a priority for the future then a plan can be made, possible obstacles predicted, and prayer supporters recruited. I believe the most important time I can spend for all people and situations in my life are to spend time in prayer. A strong approach to praying for open doors to witnessing can be achieved. Envision yourself praying in the future and God accomplishing a difference through you. Picture the impact! Be in tune with the power of God through prayer…. J. Hudson Taylor is credited with saying the following: “I used to ask God if He would come and help me. Then I asked if I could come and help Him. Finally, I ended by asking God to do His own work through me.” This sounds like a pretty good idea to me.

Got his book?  Read pages 179-182 in Keep Me and Keep All, Smith.

Also check out Pastor Bob’s answer to Prayer Question #17 on page 257: “How can prayer help with my relationship with God?"