“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.”
James 5:17 ESV
Welcome to the 27th week of our devotional recap. This week, we started with a study on Sanctification. It was followed up by Holiness. We then proceeded to learn about purpose in prayer and the importance of the word.
On Monday, we learnt that sanctification refers to distinction. As believers, we have been called out by God from the world, and this separates us. Consequently, our call is both positional and practical. Our position in Christ sets us aside for good works (Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:10).
On Tuesday, we did a follow up study on Holiness. A major takeout is that we are made holy because we have been set apart by the indwelling of God’s Spirit in us. We didn’t attain holiness because of our moral uprightness but because God dwells in us (Hebrews 10:10). As a result, we are empowered to live a holy life by His Spirit.
We then proceeded to learn about purpose in prayer on Wednesday. As believers, we have changed desires. We have been called to live for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). This changed desire also changes our perspective to prayer. To fulfill our cause, we must be given to prayer. No step in purpose must be taken out of prayer.
On Thursday, we looked at the importance of God’s word in our christian walk. We must place a premium on the word over our experiences as God’s word does not change (1 Peter 1:25).
Finally, we emphasized the place of prayer on Friday. We examined the prayer life of some patriarchs in the faith, and concluded that to get the kind of results they got, we must pray as they prayed (James 5:17, Ezekiel 37:7). Prayer changes situations, and your situation can be changed with a little more persistence in prayer.
The Christian life is lived based on the knowledge of the word and fervency in prayer. Everyday, we must seek to guard this in our hearts more than ever before.
Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 9:28-36, 1Thessalonians 1, Psalms 135, 1 Chronicles 23-25