PRAYER PROMPT ••• Yesterday’s prayer prompt ended with a reference to our “toolbox,” so today, let’s dive into it.
Most toolboxes contain a hammer.
Do you ever find yourself needing to hammer in the same lesson more than once?
You just keep trying to get that nail of truth to drive home, but it won’t sink.
Prayer is the answer.
Jesus prayed in John 17:17 and 20, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.”
Sanctify means to “set apart” or “make holy,” and to further clarify, “make holy” doesn’t mean “make perfect.”
It means “sacred” and “devoted.”
So when you struggle with certain teachings, Jesus Himself has prayed for you to be sanctified in the truth.
As the author of our very faith (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus is a prayer away from giving you the confidence you need.
Next in the toolbox is a screwdriver.
We use a screwdriver as a more durable way to connect two pieces.
Nails can come loose over time, but screws, being twisted in, are less likely to do so.
Thanks to the blood of Jesus and His gift, we cannot be disconnected from our salvation.
When we pray for salvation with a truly repentant heart, Jesus accepts us as one of His own.
Once saved, we’re always saved.
We will sin again, but the Holy Spirit can change us to become more like Christ.
Next, let’s get out the pliers.
These are used to both pull things out and hold things in place.
Once we’ve received Christ, and as we change, we may be tempted by sin, but we now have the might of the Holy Spirit to pull us out of situations; help is a prayer away.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Notice the common denominator is prayer.
It’s our direct link to God and is our most powerful tool (and weapon).
Today, as you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to keep prayer first in your mind.
When things are difficult, ask Him to help you reach for prayer over any other tool you may be tempted to use.
