Discouraged About Prayer?
Jesus Chooses His Apostles
Luke 6:12 At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God.13 The next morning, Jesus called his followers to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles:14 Simon (Jesus named him Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon (called the Zealot),16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who later turned Jesus over to his enemies.
Jesus spent the whole night praying and here is the answer to the prayer. Twelve men that would be REAL SLOW to catch on (at least by today's fast pace standards) and one that would later betray Him. Do you think that maybe He prayed all night trying to convince God to give Him a different group of 12? No, these were the 12 that God chose. Do you think Jesus ever had doubts about these 12? Matthew 17:16 I brought him to your followers, but they could not cure him.”17 Jesus answered, “You people have no faith, and your lives are all wrong. How long must I put up with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy here.” At first glance I think, “couldn't Jesus have picked 12 men like this without praying?” These 12 were God's divine answer and He knew what He was doing. God used these men for His purposes. We understand our weaknesses and how God can still use us through the power of their testimonies.
I often get discouraged when I pray and the answer I get is not what I expected. Do I truly submit to “not my will but Yours be done?” Saying it is a lot easier than accepting it. I also need to remember how hard-headed I can be yet God still is patient with me and I need to show that kind of patience to others.
Created about 2 years ago
