Remember Me
Sunday, February 22
Luke 23:42-43 (NIV)
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Devotion
In Pastor Franklin's sermon, he talked about how short prayers are more powerful than long ones. God would rather us pray shorter prayers all throughout the day than go on forever. In other words, get to the point. The thief on the cross said a prayer asking Jesus to remember him, and it worked. We don't have to recite a long-winded prayer to get Him to listen. He wants us to be passionate and pray with a sense of urgency, like Peter did when he was sinking; he asked Jesus to save him.
God will come to you when you say heartfelt prayers. Say it like you mean it and that you really need His help, and He will answer. Don't be like the Pharisees, who say long prayers and praise themselves instead. Cry out and ask God to have mercy on you, and He will. Many times in the Bible, Jesus stopped what He was doing to help someone in need, even though He was on His way somewhere else. He stopped and healed lepers, the woman with the issue of blood, and the lame.
All this happened while Jesus was on His way somewhere else and had another purpose. Why worry when we can pray? What good does worrying do anyway? It gets you nowhere. God will put everything on hold for the possibility of helping someone in need. He will open doors, but you have to pray. All throughout the Bible, people said short prayers. The prophet Elisha said a short prayer asking God to open Gehazi's eyes to see the army of God that surrounded them. And He did, and he saw chariots and horses all around.
If you learn to pray short prayers, you won't have as many problems because you'll learn to go to God with everything, and you will have victory in your life. So start praying short prayers and see what God will do. After all, if He provided bread and fish for thousands of people, He will have no problem caring for you.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are looking for a sincere heart when I come to You. Well, here I am—no fluff, no barriers, just an open heart. I trust You with my life because I know You. Hear my voice, O Lord, when I cry out to You. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
The Heavenly Father knows what we need even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8). So, just come to Him. He’s looking for a conversation that builds a relationship with you. Prayer is the link and the partnership with Him, especially when we intercede for others. So pray. As you pray short prayers throughout the day, you stay continually before Him—and that’s a good place to be.
Resources
- Join us this morning at 9 & 11 AM (ET) right here on the App, on YouTube, or on Facebook as Pastor Jentezen continues the powerful series, The Power of Short Prayers. Come expecting—God can do so much through a simple prayer!
- If The Power of Short Prayers book and sermon series has encouraged your heart, strengthened your faith, or blessed your life in any way, would you consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon?