September 15, 2006
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Constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Acts 12:5
When I was a pastor, I often visited residents in rest homes. Ill never forget one dear elderly lady I met. She was blind and had been bedridden for 7 years, yet she remained sweet and radiant. One day she told me about a dream she had. She was in a beautiful garden, where the grass was a luxuriant carpet beneath her and the fragrance of flowers filled the air.
She dropped to her knees, entranced by the scene. As her thoughts were drawn heavenward, she felt the need to pray for her own pastor, for me, and for others. When she awakened, however, she discovered that she was still in her hospital bed. With a smile she said to me, You know, Pastor, at first I was a bit disappointed. But in a sense the dream was true. This old bed has been a garden of prayer these 7 years! Prayer had made her room a holy place of meditation and blessing.
Prayer also made a difference when Peter was in prison (Acts 12). It isnt always easy to pray, for real intercession takes self-discipline. Many of us lapse into saying fine-sounding words without truly praying. God often drives us to our knees through the press of circumstances, where we are to seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore (1 Chron. 16:11).
Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year; Proverbs 22-24; 2 Corinthians 8
This devotion is a thrilling one, and I thank you for posting it, Mayor!
I am often led to contemplate these truths from Scripture:
"My house shall be called a House of Prayer!"
~JesusOr do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
~1 Corinthians 6:19"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
~John 4:23And He said to them, Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.
~Mark 6:31