The Powerless Prayer – CAC Living Water Devotional
THE LIVING WATER
CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Saturday, January 13, 2024
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
EXPOSITION:
Prayer serves as 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
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
Prayer is the Master’s key, Lord let our prayers begins to be fruitful and rewarding, results oriented with returning of glory back to God, Amen and Shalom.
