Praying in Prayer

Posted on April 30, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

I am struggling in my praying. I am sure you have also experienced the seasons where your prayers seem to go no further than the ceiling or seem to go unanswered. It’s discouraging and hard to continue. I sat in my kitchen and told the Lord I was tired. Tired of praying, waiting and not seeing a definite outcome. Yes, the Lord has moved in a mighty way in the recent past but I was complaining because the result was not yet where I wanted it to be. As I opened Streams in the Desert this devotion waited to speak to my heart.

Streams in the Desert – April 29

Times have changed, but life’s hard times haven’t

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are. James 5:17

Thank God for that! He got under a juniper tree, as you and I have often done; he complained and murmured, as we have often done; was unbelieving, as we have often been. But that was not the case when he really got into touch with God. Though ‘a man subject to like passions as we are,’ ‘he prayed praying.’  It is sublime in the original–not “earnestly,” but “he prayed in prayer.” He kept on praying. What is the lesson here? You must keep praying.

Come up on the top of Carmel, and see that remarkable parable of Faith and Sight. It was not the descent of the fire that now was necessary, but the descent of the flood; and the man that can command the fire can command the flood by the same means and methods. We are told that he bowed himself to the ground with his face between his knees; that is, shutting out all sights and sounds. He was putting himself in a position where, beneath his mantle, he could neither see nor hear what was going forward.

He said to his servant, “Go and take an observation.” He went and came back, and said–how sublimely brief! one word–“Nothing!”

What do we do under such circumstances?

We say, “It is just as I expected!” and we give up praying. Did Elijah? No, he said, “Go again.” His servant again came back and said, “Nothing!” “Go again.” “Nothing!”

By and by he came back, and said, “There is a little cloud like a man’s hand.” A man’s hand had been raised in supplication, and presently down came the rain; and Ahab had not time to get back to the gate of Samaria with all his fast steeds. This is a parable of Faith and Sight–faith shutting itself up with God; sight taking observations and seeing nothing; faith going right on, and “praying in prayer,” with utterly hopeless reports from sight.

As you look at your prayer list do see things moving along or do you see “nothing” happening?

Keep praying in prayer!

Blessings,

Kathy

Written by Kathy Withers Kathy Withers is on staff at America’s Keswick and serves as Director of Partner Care. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 30 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and teaches a Bible Study for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 7-8, Revelation 17| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “Do you know how to pray that way, how to pray prevailingly? Let sight give as discouraging reports as it may, but pay no attention to these. The living God is still in the heavens and even to delay is part of His goodness.” –Arthur T. Pierson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – 2 Corinthians 5:20-21