Matthew 17:19-23
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.
When the father went before the Lord, the Lord's help immediately came upon him, and the demon immediately left his son. After this incident, the disciples secretly went before Jesus, and I like how the Bible says they went to Him "in private." They had to go to him in private because they didn't want other people to know, but the Lord didn't turn them down. Did you know that you can bring you most embarrassing moment before the Lord? You can look upon Him because He's the God who's filled with grace and mercy! They asked God why couldn't they cast out that demon, and the Lord answered that such type of demon had to be cast out through fasting prayer. In other word, ordinary prayer is not enough, and prayer in desperation is needed. The Lord taught us a great principle for prayer, which is the pray in different ways.
Many Chinese Christians believe that they should only pray quietly, but silent prayer is only one type of prayer. It will help you to be calm before God and enjoy His presence. Silent prayer, however, make it much easier to fall asleep while praying. Remember when all disciples fell asleep when the Lord was praying in the garden of Gethsemane? I believe that they were praying quietly, but Jesus was praying out loud, because He was carrying out a prayer of warfare, which is not supposed to be done silently.
Why do you think your prayer is not effective? Perhaps it's because you are only praying in one way. Actually, you can try different formats of prayer. If your silent prayer is not effective, then pray out lout; if praying out loud is not effective, then pray in proclamation; if praying proclamations is not effective, then fast and pray, or even pray over-night. The greatest danger in the spiritual realm is that we insist on going by our thoughts and ways, but not listen to and obey the Lord's way. If you have been praying for something for a while but the prayer has not been effective, you should try a different type of prayer. Seek to obey God, and He will give you wisdom in all things. The Lord will give you strength and help you to breakthrough your current circumstance, so let's depend on Him in our daily life!
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, I thank you because you are the true God who gives us strength and authority. When we seek you face, may the Holy Spirit teach us to pray so that we may experience your victory and abundance. May you deliver us from our current circumstance and help enter into your freedom and joy, and let your name receive true glory through us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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