WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT PRAYER

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. - Romans 12:12. Another instructive trifecta, supplementing joy with hope and ceaseless prayer with perseverance and calling anew for patience. Patience, with hope and perseverance, has already been a part of the supplementary verses we have seen.  Remember Peter's vigil at  1 Peter 5:7-8: "And when you have suffered for a little while, ...God ...will ...restore, support, strengthen and establish you." Remember the faith from Hebrews, reminding us that God is encouraging us to  "run with perseverance" (Hebrews 12:1) .  We are called to believe that God is at work. And recall God's reminder at  Jeremiah 29:11: "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord."   We may not immediately see God's future for us, but God cares about our daily welfare and wants us to have hope. Another well-known verse comes to mind, from  Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through th...

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. - Matthew 11:28-30 A two way invitation from Jesus himself: first, to come to him for comfort: rest from weariness, relief from the burdens we carry and ease from all that troubles us; and, second, to learn from his example of gentleness and humility and to let his yoke be our comfort. This is a motion picture of prayer, and it adds a few scenes that we don’t usually think of.  When we are tired of the heavy loads we carry, we can turn to God in prayer, but here we find things turned around: Jesus calling out to us and inviting us to walk to him. And while prayer is often considered a way to ask God for help, here Jesus asks us to participate: to take up his yoke and learn how it lightens the load.  We can certainly find ...