What things so ever you desire when you pray believe that you receive them and you shall have them’
DAILY READING 1 Timothy 5:23-6:21; Jeremiah 3-4; Psalm 120
John Knox was a great man of God, who stood resolute in the place of prayer and brought changes to his nation. He was a Scottish clergyman and leader of the Protestant Reformation who brought reformation to the church in Scotland through fervent prayers..
For being outspoken, Knox was often imprisoned and enslaved. And though he was under threat of persecution, he believed that “one man with God is always in the majority.”
John Knox wanted the nation of Scotland to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. At this time the church in Scotland was in a sorry state. The nation was steeped in doctrinal and ecclesiastical compromise. John prayed fervently for his nation, believing God for a change of situation. He would often cry out to God “Give me Scotland, or I die.” Knox’s ministry of preaching and prayer were so well known that Mary, Queen of Scots who was a Roman Catholic, saw it as a threat to the throne of Scotland. She once said, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.”
John Knox preached and prayed to the end that God would rescue Scotland. And his prayers were answered; Scotland was transformed and the Scottish Parliament adopted the Reformation doctrines.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’
God will heal our land and heal our lives, when we rise up to pray.
Prayer indeed works. Prayer does change things, prayer does level mountains. However, the key is persistence. Refuse to give up. The enemy knows that if you persist you will receive, this is why he tries to discourage and weary you to give up before your answer comes.
Mark 11:24 tells us ‘What things so ever you desire when you pray believe that you receive them and you shall have them’
This is the promise of God. Whatsoever you desire, is an open cheque. Therefore if we can stand resolute in the place of prayer our answers will surely come. Indeed everything is possible, to him that believes.
We must therefore believe God for great and mighty things as we come to the second half of this year. It’s a new season, and something is about to happen.. Since the beginning of the year, our clouds have been filling up and now the rain is about to fall. God is about to move. When the disciples prayed with one accord, The Holy Ghost came as a rushing mighty wind. And at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, when the priests blew the trumpet with one accord, God’s glory came down. And now as the church in one accord, lift her voice to God, the nation is about to shake. Every wall of Jericho is about to fall flat.
July is a pivotal month. It is a make or break month. In this month everything is about to swing to our favour. And just as John Knox secured the victory over Scotland on his knees, so can we secure our victory, as we persist on our knees in prayer.
PRAYER: Lord, please give me the grace to persevere in the place of prayer until my answer comes, help me not to grow weary but to persist until I see my desired result in Jesus Name. .
quote
Until you cry out in the place of prayer certain things won’t happen
– WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]