HAVE YOU PRAYED?
HAVE YOU PRAYED?
Ella was upset again!
It was the third time this morning.
What was going on?
What had happened to the fruit of the Spirit of self control?
This was not looking good at all.
And she knew she had to do something very quickly before she had a full blown melt down. She tried to get into the gospel according to Luke that she was meant to be studying. But she just kept getting distracted. Her account officer kept calling trying to talk her through the new updated App for the bank. One client was chatting on WhatsApp about picking up her orders. A second one was ringing about rescheduling her appointment and the line kept going off. All of that did not make it any better. Frustration was mounting.
By the end of the work day, she was as drained as the dishes she left on the dish drainer the night before. Well it was finally time to go home and as she got ready she had a feeling of elation in anticipation of the warmth of her home. Thank God for her safe place. Her husband and her children. They always helped to melt away the tension these days, especially the children.
As soon as she got home she spent some time with them and then finally settled down and picked up her bible. She just had this feeling that God was seriously trying to get her attention.
She had not even made it to the end of the first chapter of Luke’s gospel (she had only just read about seven verses) when God began to talk to her:
“See Zechariah and Elizabeth, they were both from the priestly line of Aaron, both righteous before me, both keeping my commands blamelessly yet Elizabeth was barren and they were both very old. And in spite of this, Zechariah was still serving in the temple and even still praying to me. He did not give up.
I heard his prayer and answered it and then I sent an angel to tell him, (never mind that he did not believe the angel) ; to tell him that I had heard his prayer and that he would become a father by Elizabeth”
“Now you, my dear child, are complaining, grumbling, getting upset and angry. But have you prayed?”
“You should do that you know.” said her Heavenly Father.
“You should pray Ella, because…
I still hear and answer prayers.”
Ella gasped!
She realised that she had been letting things get to her, things that she could not really control but that she could sort out and settle in the place of prayer.
God loved her. She knew this beyond a doubt. She knelt by her bed and began to sing praises. Intermittently thanking Him for reaching out to her and bringing her out of the darkness that was threatening to consume her.
By the time she was done, she felt much better. The dark cloud that had been hovering over her for the past couple of days had lifted. And then she bagan to pray… about EVERYTHING.
Dear friends, any one of us could be in Ella’s shoes for any reason whatsoever. So I make bold to ask you today.
Have you prayed?
About every single person or everything that displeases you?
Have you prayed?
About what wearies you and makes your fuse short?
Have you prayed?
About what makes you anxious and angry?
Have you prayed?
About your needs that have not yet been met?
Have you prayed?
About being overweight?
Have you prayed?
About the health challenge of your partner?
Have you prayed?
About your health challenge? Instead of staying up all night asking AI about all kinds of symptoms?
Have you prayed?
About the auntie whom you have not heard from though you have sent her many messages?
Have you prayed?
About your elderly parents?
Have you prayed?
About your childrens schools, their teachers and their friends?
Have you prayed?
About your family?
Have you prayed?
About your work, your businesses, your finances?
Have you prayed?
About your country?
The bible tells us the following :
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 KJV
Jesus also encouraged us to pray always.
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Luke 18:1 KJV
Whatever it is, let not our hearts be troubled. Let us find a way to pray.
God still hears and answers prayers.
We must not give up!
HAVE YOU PRAYED?
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©