Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 7)

First Peter 5:7 > “ . . . casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” By coming to the altar or making a place of prayer where you are, you declare that you believe Jesus cares for you and that His care is enough. 

• He cares for your body, soul, spirit, relationships, finances, future, etc.
• He promises to provide all your needs (Phil. 4:19).

When you pray, that is, talk to Him, be . . .

• Urgent.  Get right down to business. Don't hesitate. Avoid distraction. Speak respectfully, but talk boldly.
• Honest. Don't sugarcoat your need. Tell Jesus how you feel, what you think, how things are affecting you. Speak respectfully, but talk to Jesus as if He doesn't know anything that's happening in your life. Use simple words. You don't have to impress Him.
• Persistent. Don't make this the last time you bring the matter to Jesus. Keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking until Jesus gives you a clear answer.
• Trusting. Believe that God has your best interest in mind and that it is His specialty to accomplish His will for you (Phil. 2:13). Believe in Jesus' amazing track record.

Why Prayer Is Effective (2 Kin. 4:25b-37) (Part 6)

Why would the woman go through all that work to get to Elisha and persuade him to return with her? She knew Elisha was her only hope. Without realizing it, she modeled effective prayer for us.

There is one last question that needs to be answered. Why did Elisha return with her? He returned with the woman because he cared for her. Once Elisha realized that it was the Shunammite woman who was approaching, the first thing out of his mouth was to inquire about her welfare. “When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, 'Behold, there is the Shunammite. Please run now to meet her and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’'” (2 Kin. 4:25b-26a)

Just as Elisha cared for the woman, her husband and her son, so Jesus Christ cares for you.

• Elisha's name means 'God is Savior.' Who is your Savior? Your Savior is (or should be) Jesus. What does Jesus, your Savior, save you from? He saves you from your sin. What is sin? Sin is more than something that happens to you; it is something that you do, whether by commission or omission. Sin is violation of God's laws; sin is missing the mark or falling short (Rom. 3:23).
•  Jesus showed His loving care for you by dying on a cross. 
• He endured the cross because of your sins. 
• He died for you and in place of you (Rom. 5:6-8; 2 Cor. 5:21).
• He took your punishment (death) upon himself.
• You take His righteousness upon yourself.
• In yourself no good thing dwells (Rom. 3:10-12).
• By yourself you cannot please God (Rom. 8:8).
• The cross of Jesus, the demonstration of God's love for you, demands a response.
• “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”¹ (Isaac Watts)
• Response #1 > I will cherish the old rugged cross and gladly take upon myself its demand for total dominion in my life.
• Response #2 > I will reject the old rugged cross and continue to believe that my own good works are enough, even when the Bible says they are not (Eph. 2:8-9).

Who will cherish the old rugged cross of Jesus right now?

• Who will ask Jesus for forgiveness from sin?
• Who will surrender his or her will, pleasure, and future to God's plan and purposes?

1Watts, Isaac. “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross.” Hymns of Glorious Praise. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1969. Hymn #88. Second half of verse 4.

(Tomorrow's post:  part 2 of the conclusion.)

Caring Is Not Enough

"Significance is achieved by caring and doing.  Caring without doing is the mark of frightened, tentative, whiners. That's right; small people complain. But big people don't whine. They swing the hammer, bang the problem, sing a song and alter the world.  In other words, shut up and do something."

Williams, Roy H.  "The Monday Morning Memo."  November 12, 2012.

This fits with The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lu. 10:30-37).  The last five words -- "shut up and do something" -- could make a good title.  You have to know your audience.  You would definitely have their attention, though.