CAC LIVING WATER DEVOTIONAL FOR JANUARY 13, 2024 : tOPIC – THE POWERLESS PRAYER
READ PREVIOUS CAC DEVOTIONALS HERE
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 2024
TOPIC: THE POWERLESS PRAYER
MEMORISE : He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
READ : Luke 18:10-14
[10]. “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
[11]. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
[12]. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’
[13]. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
[14]. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
EXPOSITION
Prayer serves ast the vital channel for our communication with God. It grants us access to His blessings, protection, and provision. Furthermore, it is within the realm of prayer that we receive divine guidance and instructions for our lives and ministries. Prayer is an essential component of a Christian’s life. An axiom aptly states, “A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian” (cf. Lk 18:1). Prayer is not just an option; it is a necessity. The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:18). In God’s kingdom, there is no substitute for prayer, no amount of diligence, studying, or gifts can replace it. While it is essential to speak to others about God, it is even more important to converse with God about them. Before seeking an audience with people, you must first speak with God; this is the path to achieving results. But when does prayer become powerless? It loses its potency when it fails to access God’s presence. Consider the story of Cain and Abel, who both offered sacrifices to God. God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s. Why? Because Cain’s prayer, like that of the Pharisees, lacked power due to some factors:
1. Self-justification
2. Self-assumed righteousness-a filthy rag in God’s eyes (Isa. 64:6)
3. Pride-God opposes the proud (Psa. 12:3; Prov. 16:5)
4. A boastful and sinful heart (Rom. 1:30)
Before approaching God in prayer, it is vital to introspect and address anything that might render your prayers ineffectual.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB: 405
1. The Great Physician now is near,
The sympathizing Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!
Chorus:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest name on mortal tongue,
Sweetest carol ever sung:
Jesus! blessed Jesus!
2. Your many sins are all forgiven,
Oh, hear the voice of Jesus!
Go on your way in peace to heaven,
And wear a crown with Jesus.
3. All glory to the risen Lamb!
I now believe in Jesus;
I love the blessed Saviour’s name,
I love the name of Jesus.
4. His name dispels my guilt and fear,
No other name but Jesus;
Oh, how my soul delights to hear
The precious name of Jesus.
5. Come, brethren, help me sing His praise,
Oh, praise the name of Jesus!
Come, sisters, all your voices raise!
Oh, bless the name of Jesus
6. The children too, both great and small,
Who love the name of Jesus,
May now accept the gracious call
To work and live for Jesus.
7. And when to the bright world above
We rise to see our Jesus,
We’ll sing around the throne of love
His name, the name of Jesus.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I receive deliverance from attitudes that will make my prayers useless, in Jesus’ name.
2. Lord, let my prayer get results and testimonies
3. Pray that the Lord will rekindle the fire of prayer on the altar of our hearts and churches, afresh.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Genesis 34, 35, 36