Open Heavens Daily Devotional August 2, 2017
Topic: Want Your Prayers Answered?
Memorise: Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Proverbs 21:13
Read: Psalm 22:1-5 (KJV)
22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
22:2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
22:4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
22:5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
Bible in one year: 1st Kings 12-13, Ezekiel 18:30-19:14, Hymn: Sing hymn 9
MESSAGE: There was a popular Mexican soap opera on the Nigerian television scene a few years ago titled “The Rich Also Cry”. The title of this drama gives credence to the fact that every human being, no matter how intelligent, wealthy, powerful or highly placed, would at one time or the other in life require assistance to deal with circumstances beyond human capability and control.
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The situation that renders a person a great means incapacitated is usually the type that money, authority and influence cannot resolve. At such times, a call for supernatural assistance or divine intervention through desperate prayers to the Almighty God is the only option left. I pray that as you call on the Name of the Lord in the day of trouble, He will answer you by fire in Jesus’ Name.
However, if you want your prayers to be answered, you have a responsibility to ensure that you are not in the habit of blocking your ears to the petitions of the poor and needy ones around you. Our memory verse says that a person who heartlessly disregards the needs of the feeble, weak and helpless is wicked. The prayers of such a person will be disregarded in the day of trouble, no matter how desperate their cry for help may be.
It is common knowledge that many African nations and some developing countries around the world have suffered and are still suffering under corrupt, selfish and tyrannical leaders. Officials are known to be crooked, and a bribe is required before any service is rendered. Salary and wages are not paid when due, and they are sometimes delayed for months on end by government and corporate employers. We have also seen some Christian ministers and clerics showing more interest in monetary gain that in serving God and the people. It is time for everyone involved in such evil acts to note that eternal damnation awaits them if they fail to repent.
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One of the terrible realities of our time is the fact that even the Church is falling short of fulfilling her responsibilities to the poor and needy. The Church must not leave the less-privileged persons in our communities at the mercy of politicians and government officials, irrespective of their promises and political agenda for the poor. This is because God has neither suspended nor revoked our mandate to care for the poor. The Body of Christ must wake up to the responsibilities of a loving and caring Church, if we want our collective prayers to be answered by God.
I live my life in total dependence on the Almighty God as the Source of my life and all that I do; I am nothing without Him. I therefore cannot even bear to imagine what my life would be like if God ceased to hear me when I call Him. I decree in the Name that is above all other names that heaven will never ignore your cry for help in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer Point: Father, please give me the grace to be a great source of assistance to impoverished people around the world in Jesus’ Name.
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God