Chicago During Covid-19 #22

She wrote on the sidewalk to encourage Chicagoans. I photographed her work to encourage you. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks!

Chicago During Covid-19 #18

I passed bright green bushes and pale purple pansies on my walk to the store.

I savored sweet smelling lilacs.

But the grocery store, a few steps beyond these flowers, was boarded up and closed.

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

How to Pray Effectively (7 of 7)

Pray with perseverance.

Though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. And I say to you ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Luke 11:8-9)

How to Pray (7 of 10)

Pray with earnestness and importunity, which is persistence, especially to the point of annoyance.

The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months (James 5:16-17).

Don’t Give Up Praying

Jesus told his disciples . . . that they should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1).

“To someone who prays in faith, unanswered prayers are simply the evidence that the answer is much closer.”*

*L.B.Cowman, Streams in the Desert, p.39.

God Gives Life

Dry bones came to life and became an exceedingly great army when God gave them breath (See Ezekiel 37:1-10). This story is a powerful picture of what God does.

Keep praying for those who need life. Jesus came “that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).”

Be Willing to Wait

Friends gave us a book. Twenty-one years ago. I just started reading it.

Perhaps a gift you’ve given is sitting on a shelf. Perhaps your prayers are yet unanswered.

“And Patience was willing to wait.”*

*L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert, p.339.

Our Present Sufferings

Sometimes suffering seems endless. Keep praying. Keep waiting. Our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Cheerful Expectation

David’s prayer began: “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me (Psalm 13:1)?”

Though he still waited for God to answer, his prayer ended: “I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13:5-6).

Pray with cheerful expectation.

Keep Watch and Pray!

It was night when Jesus and his disciples went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. The disciples fell asleep.  Jesus asked them, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray (Matthew 36:40).”

It was a bright sunny day when we visited the Garden of Gethsemane. I imagined Jesus asking me, “Could you watch with me one hour? Keep watch and pray.” “Watch and pray . . . the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Matthew 26:41).”