READ: HEBREWS 12:1-4
Today, we
shall meditate on seasons of prayer. W. W. Walford penned the timeless words
below in a classic hymn titled. ‘Sweet Hour of Prayer’.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief
And often escaped the tempter’s snare
By the return, sweet hour of prayer.
We need to identify seasons of prayer. Let me enumerate them:
1. In the time of absolute helplessness. When you pray at this time, you will suddenly discover, according to Psalm 62:11, that power belongs to God.
2. The time when you have power. At this time you better pray because, according to Zechariah 4:6, it is not by power or might but by His spirit: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”
3. In the time of poverty. We do not need to tell you this. When you pray in the time of poverty, it will not be long before you discover what Deuteronomy 8:18 says: “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Believe me implicitly.
4. In the time of wealth. When you suddenly find yourself having abundance, pray. Proverbs 23:5 says, “Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” When you have abundant money, you better pray so that the money will not fly away. I challenge you to turn all these seasons to hours of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known
In seasons of distress and grief
My soul has often found relief
And often escaped the tempter’s snare
By the return, sweet hour of prayer.
We need to identify seasons of prayer. Let me enumerate them:
1. In the time of absolute helplessness. When you pray at this time, you will suddenly discover, according to Psalm 62:11, that power belongs to God.
2. The time when you have power. At this time you better pray because, according to Zechariah 4:6, it is not by power or might but by His spirit: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.”
3. In the time of poverty. We do not need to tell you this. When you pray in the time of poverty, it will not be long before you discover what Deuteronomy 8:18 says: “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Believe me implicitly.
4. In the time of wealth. When you suddenly find yourself having abundance, pray. Proverbs 23:5 says, “Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.” When you have abundant money, you better pray so that the money will not fly away. I challenge you to turn all these seasons to hours of prayer.
MEMORIZE: ROMANS 8:26 –Likewise the
Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not what we should pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which
cannot be uttered.
