Open Heavens Daily Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY APRIL 25TH, 2024.

THEME: WHEN YOU PRAY I

MEMORISE: 

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;     

Colossians 4:2

READ: Mark 1:30-36 

30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

MESSAGE

Prayer is a very powerful tool given to us by God for regular communication with Him. As powerful as this tool is, it is rather unfortunate that many people don't use it at all while some who do, fail to make the best of it.

The first thing that must be in place for you to pray effectively is focus; all distractions must be done away with. The devil knows that you need to be completely focused to get the best out of your prayer time, and this is why you usually remember some not-too-important things that can distract you during prayers. One of the reasons you see many men of God praying when everyone is asleep is that they don't want to be distracted. In Mark 1:35, Jesus Christ woke up before daybreak to pray while others were asleep. He went to a secluded place to pray. You must try to remove distractions. Find a secluded place where you can always go to pray. That secluded place could be your closet or any other place without distractions.

Anyone who does not regularly go to a secluded place to pray will eventually grow cold spiritually; I am saying this from experience. Many years ago, God pointed my attention to the fact that I was growing cold. He asked me, "When last did you spend quality time in my presence? Do you remember when you used to worship me in your car so much that my presence will fill the car, and you will have to park by the roadside because tears would have filled your eyes?" I responded, "Yes Lord, I remember, but that was before I had a driver. If I worship you that much now and my driver sees tears in my eyes, he will think something is wrong." He responded, "Oh, it is now my fault that l gave you a driver?" I quickly apologized. That night, I left the house when everyone had slept to pray in the auditorium. The moment I started worshipping, tears came rolling down. I had been praying all the while, but the major difference was that I had not been going to a secluded place to pray and that had made me grow cold. Now, I have made it a habit to pray in secluded places, and my fire has increased greatly as a result.

ACTION POINT

Ensure you pray regularly in a secluded place.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 22-23

AUTHOR: PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!That calls me from a world of care,And bids me at my Father’s throneMake all my wants and wishes known.In seasons of distress and grief,My soul has often found relief,And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

The joys I feel, the bliss I share,

Of those whose anxious spirits burn

With strong desires for thy return!

With such I hasten to the place

Where God my Savior shows His face,

And gladly take my station there,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bearTo Him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His Word and trust His grace,

I’ll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

4. Sweet hour of prayer sweet hour of prayer!

May I thy consolation share,Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,I view my home and take my flight.

This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise To seize the everlasting prize,And shout, while passing through the air,Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”