Prayer Facts:

“As the Son began His prayer by making clear His relation to the Father, pleading His work and obedience and His desire to see the Father glorified, do so too. Draw near and appear before the Father in Christ….Say that you too have given yourself to finish the work the Father has given you to do, and to live alone for His glory….” (ref#19, TWENTY-SEVENTH LESSON).

Reasons for Waiting for GOD:

Because You do not faint or grow weary (Isa 40:28), I will wait for You.
Because You are faithful to sanctify me completely (1 Thes 5:23-24), I will wait for You.

The Bride of CHRIST
“My beloved is mine, and I am his;…” (Song 2:16 ESV).

FATHER, CHRIST is mine, “I possess him, I have interest in him, as my head and my husband; and I am his, possessed of him, owned by him, given up unto him: and that as to my Beloved in a conjugal relation” (ref#35, p153). CHRIST and I are far from equal— He never sins, I do—but I am part of His bride, the church, and will attend the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9).

FATHER, remind me that CHRIST and I always stand facing each other holding hands in mutual resignation like couples in a marriage service. He takes me to be His, to love and care for me; I take Him to be mine giving myself up to be His in obedience.

He says, “…I know by experience those that are mine, and those that are mine know me by experience, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…” (ref#37, p238, [John 10:14-15]). And so, CHRIST, if I love You, then I am known by You (1 Cor 8:3). You make rich provision for my needs, You pay all my debts and I can share in Your wealth and You even allow me to assume Your name (ref#34, July 22nd AM). My sin is covered by my Bridegroom. His puts on me His very own comeliness that makes me beautiful—even perfect (ref#35, p156).

And, on my part it is to consent to accept all He gives—to “receive, embrace, and submit unto the Lord Jesus, as…husband, Lord, and Savior—to abide with him…and be ruled by him forever” (ref#35, p157).

FATHER, I thank You that You have made me prefer CHRIST counting everything else as rubbish compared to Him (Php 3:8). Thank You for my heart change so I am willing to give myself up to Him. I desire He see my face and hear my voice and count it as sweet and lovely (Song 2:14).

“He is…your Husband, never seeking a divorce; your Friend, sticking closer than a brother; your Shepherd, with you in death’s dark vale. He is your help and your deliverer; your castle and your high tower; the horn of your strength, your confidence, your joy, your all in all…” (ref#34, April 19th PM).

Plants That Do Not Produce a Crop

FATHER, a backslider is like most of the scattered seeds in the “Parable of the Sower” (Matt 13:1-8). They, for a time, grow well but then something inhibits them. The attention of backsliders is often diverted by tribulation or persecution that arises from following CHRIST, or they are held back by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:21-22). And, the subtlest and probably the most prevalent way a plant is attacked is the disease of pride. And all, like tender sprouts, their plight must be quickly reversed or they will die without yielding the fruit of eternal life.

FATHER, I fear the arrogance of ____’s heart is deceiving (him/her) (Jer 49:16). (His/Her) overconfidence gets (him/her) into trouble; making (him/her) unable to listen to Biblical teaching, or hear admonitions and warnings.

CHRIST dealt with pride in His Apostles (Matt 26:33). Peter said he would lay down his life for CHRIST (John 13:37). But, CHRIST knew that would not happen. So, since Peter would not listen to His teachings or hear His warnings CHRIST turned to prayer (Luke 22:32).

FATHER, I know You may give satan permission to sift ____ like wheat, as You did Peter, before You poured out mercy on (him/her) (Luke 22:31-32). But, through JESUS’ prayer Peter came to posses enough faith to turn and help others.

So, I come with a similar prayer for ____. Move ____ to see (his/her) sin and return like Peter with enough faith to grow into a plant that bears fruit and yields 30, 60, or hundredfold (Matt 13:23).