Pastor Cory Smithee
Philippians 2:25–30 (ESV) 25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus (my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.
Charles Spurgeon said, “I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.”
Penned Truth: No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, you may be only one prayer away from a dream fulfilled, a promise kept, or a miracle manifested into reality.
• Attitude of Honor
Honor | Dictionary of Bible Themes: Great respect; the creation is called upon to respect and revere God as its Creator.
My Definition: To show esteem, worth, and value to Him and Him Alone.
Luke 11:2 (GNB) 2 Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say this: ‘Father: May your holy name be honoured;
Psalm 145:18 (ESV) 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Penned Truth: Psalm 145:18 indicates that He is attentive and responsive to the heartfelt prayers of His people. Moreover, how much time was spent Honoring His Name?
• Attitude of Determination
David Ibiyeomie once said, “Determination opens the door for extermination of procrastination.”
Determination: firm or fixed intention to achieve a desired end
John 15:4 (ESV) 4 Abide (dwell, remain, be present, stay put) in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:4 (AMPC) 4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
John 15:7 (ESV) 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Penned Truth: The Word of God is not merely a written text but a living and dynamic force that transforms and guides our prayers.
• Attitude of Perseverance/Endurance
DL Moody said, “Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all.”
Perseverance: Steadfastness- firmly fixed in place: immovable
Endurance: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity
Luke 18:1–8 (NLT) 1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’ ” 6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
Penned Truth: Persevering prayer involves praying until your requests are answered or until God tells you to stop.
Luke 18:1 (ESV) 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Final Statement: Jesus’ teachings on prayer are significant because they emphasize the importance of a personal relationship with God and offer guidance on how to approach prayer. His teachings highlight the importance of sincerity, persistence, and seeking God’s will. Prayer is also viewed as a means to connect with God, receive guidance and strength, and deepen one’s faith. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Never stop praying.”
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