Day 19
ENDURE
Reminder: Write a copy of the prayer routine you constructed yesterday, and build your prayer life upon it. Can you start to follow it today?
As we approach the culmination of this 20-day prayer Reset, I want to highlight the crucial role of endurance in prayer. Endurance is essential if we are to approach the glorious reality Paul described of praying without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17).
It can be tempting to view this Reset as an experiment or test run, as though to say, “If I get something meaningful out of these 20 days, then I’ll continue.”But that’s like planting a kernel of corn and saying, “If I get a harvest of corn in the next 20 days, I’ll plant more.”
It can be days or weeks before we begin to reap benefits from the seeds we sown in prayer. But let God’s word fuel your expectation—if you’ll sow you’ll most certainly reap:
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Ps 126:5-6)
PRAY. Ask the Lord for enduring grace to sow time, energy, and faith into your secret prayer life.
The assurance that reaping follows sowing is found in many places in Scripture. Here’s one of my favorites:
For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Gal 6:8)
We’re assured that when we sow to the Spirit we’ll reap to the Spirit. As we sow to the secret place we’ll eventually reap to the secret place. It’s impossible to keep sowing to the Spirit without ultimately reaping authentic spiritual vitality. Let me say the same thing a couple different ways.
✦ Sow time into word meditation and you’ll reap word illumination.
✦ Sow grace-empowered effort into your prayer life and you’ll reap the satisfaction of a vibrant prayer life.
Endurance is key. Enduring daily in prayer is the only way a prayer life is established. This 20-day Reset is meant to help you discover that, through Christ’s strength, you can do this!
“By your patience possess your souls.” (Luke 21:19)
Consider this powerful word from Christ:
Patience here means endurance. Endurance is the means by which we gain a firm grip on our eternal destiny with God.
Sheer willpower or inspiration might carry our devotional life for 20 days, but only Spirit-empowered endurance will carry us long-term.
PRAY. Call out for grace and power to endure in prayer. Let it come from the depths of your soul.
Take time to listen. Is the Holy Spirit leading you to continue in daily prayer after this Reset? Do you want to extend the promise you made on Day Two of this reset?
If so, you’re invited to indicate your promise here.
My Enduring Promise to God
I hereby resolve, by God’s grace, to spend at least 20 minutes a day in the secret place with Jesus, for the next _________________. (Fill in the amount of time you want to commit, such as six months or three years or whatever time period you desire.)
May the Lord honor your sowing with a great spiritual harvest. May His affections ravish and satisfy your soul continually. By His grace, may you discover realms of intimacy with Jesus that only enduring prayer can access.
You’re going to have a blessed day abiding in His love!
RESET: 20 Ways to a Consistent Prayer Life Copyright © 2018 by Bob Sorge Published by Oasis House
Reproduced with permission.
For information on all Bob’s books, go to www.oasishouse.com