“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”— Matthew 7:7
Jim Cymbala once said, “God can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.”
And he would know. Pastor Cymbala began at Brooklyn Tabernacle as an ill-equipped, under-educated, time-strapped preacher who already led a second congregation in New Jersey. The Brooklyn church had no money to pay him, a ramshackle building, and barely enough attendance to bother with weekly meetings.
Today, the Tabernacle hosts around 6,000 Spirit-filled worshipers. So what made the difference?
The answer is prayer. One morning, in a moment of desperation, Pastor Cymbala set aside his planned message and called the church to hit their knees in prayer. Soon, it was the weekly prayer meeting and not Sunday worship that became the focal point of the church’s activities.
And as God’s people prayed, He graciously responded!
Are you desperate today? Can you admit just how much you need God’s intervention at your point of need?
If so, be encouraged because God really can’t resist the humble cries of His children. So whatever burdens are weighing on your heart, set aside time today to go before God in prayer.
Prayer Challenge
Admit your neediness to God and ask Him to intervene in your struggle. Pray also for the grace to trust Him no matter what His response.
Questions for thought
What are some situations or issues in your life that you need to bring to God in prayer?
How does humble, honest prayer help you walk more closely with God?