Month: December 2024

What is prayer good for?

Our text today is Luke 18:1:  

“Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart.”

Let’s take a closer look at why prayer is so essential. Here are three reasons we need to pray.

1. Prayer Builds Gratitude 

When we pray before meals, it’s often called “giving thanks.” As children, we might have prayed, “Thank you for Mommy and Daddy…” showing appreciation for those who matter most. Similarly, as parents, while we value our children’s requests, hearing their gratitude touches our hearts deeply. Few things sting more than an ungrateful child. We are God’s children, and we must not neglect to thank Him for all He provides.

2. Prayer Gives Us Hope  

We all encounter situations where we’ve done everything we can, yet the problem remains unsolved. Someone once said we should never say we’ve done all we can until we’ve prayed, because prayer is always that “one more thing” we can do. As Peter reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Through prayer, we find renewed hope.

3. Prayer Provides Guidance  

“Let prayer be your steering wheel, not your spare tire,” someone wisely said. This challenges us to consider how we use prayer. Is it something reserved for emergencies, or is it a daily guide for our decisions and actions? Prayer shapes our path when we let it lead.

Take a moment to reflect: What is one of your favorite things to pray about?

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Pray from Anywhere

Our Verse for today is Psalm 139:7-8.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.” These verses emphasize that no matter where we are, God’s presence is with us.

Indeed, one of the most beautiful truths about prayer is that it is not bound by location or circumstance. Whether we are in a church building, under a vast open sky, or confined by the walls of a prison cell, God is always ready to listen.

The Bible gives us vivid examples of this truth. Jonah, swallowed by a great fish, from the bottom of the sea, prayed earnestly to God. Jonah 2:1, says, “From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” 

In Acts 16:25, Paul and Silas, imprisoned and chained, chose to pray and sing to God. Their prayer and worship were so powerful that the prison doors flew open, and their chains fell off.

These stories remind us that prayer is not restricted to holy spaces or places. The presence of God is always near. Prayer always connects us to a loving Father who is attentive to every word and every cry.

Whether we are at work, in our car, or in the middle of a sleepless night, we can turn to God in prayer. He is always near, ready to comfort, guide, and respond. Prayer isn’t about the place but the heart that seeks Him. 

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Effective prayer is persistent prayer.

Our focus today is Luke 18:7.

“Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night?”

In Luke 18, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow seeking justice from an indifferent, unjust judge. Though the judge neither feared God nor cared about people, he eventually granted her request simply because of her persistence. Jesus uses this parable to teach us about prayer, concluding with the powerful reminder, “Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night?” If even an unkind earthly judge responds to perseverance, how much more will our loving Father hear and answer us?

Persistence in prayer is not about convincing God to act but about deepening our trust in Him. It shapes our faith, teaching us to rely on His wisdom and timing. Persistence in prayer requires faith.

Sometimes seemingly, unanswered prayers can be discouraging. Yet Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things together for good. When we continue in prayer, even when the answers are delayed, He still hears us.

Persist in prayer, trusting that the One who loves you most hears every cry and knows the right time to answer.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Prayer requires faith!  

Ephesians 3:12 says, “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.”  

What a privilege it is to approach God boldly and confidently in prayer! Imagine coming before His throne, fully assured that He hears us. But how is this possible? The verse makes it clear—the way is through of our faith in Christ. Our boldness and confidence in prayer rest entirely on our trust in Him.  

When we pray with confidence, we draw nearer to God than ever before. It’s as if He leans in, bending His ear to hear every word we speak. That nearness is a beautiful reminder of the relationship God desires to have with us.  

Here’s a thought to carry with you: “The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer.” 

Unanswered prayer is a matter of interpretation. Sometimes God’s answer is no, sometimes it is wait, sometimes it is yes. God answers in the way that is best for us.

Un-offered prayer is a matter of lack of faith. We do not ask, because we do not believe there is any point to it.

A great prayer life is a matter of faith. He waits everyday to hear from you. 

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.  

The first thing you need to learn about prayer is that prayer is a conversation between you and God.  

Prayer is when you go to the burning bush.  

Prayer is when you stand before the throne, and the One on the throne says, “Talk to me.”

Our prayer verse for today is Hebrews 4:16:

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Do you see it? This verse reveals an incredible truth about prayer: prayer is going to His throne and talking to God.

Imagine if you had the personal phone number of every world leader, and whenever you called, they not only answered but truly listened to you. What a privilege that would be! Such access would make you one of the most influential people in the world.

Yet, we are invited to approach the throne of God Himself. We don’t come in fear but with confidence. God welcomes us. He is glad to hear from us and attentive to what we say.

Prayer is not just a ritual or a duty; it’s a privilege and a promise. It is a conversation you get to have with God! Don’t miss it!

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Beginning tomorrow, I will share a daily Bible verse on the subject of prayer. 

We start today with Psalms 116:2.

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”

When I was going through my counseling classes, we had an exercise that I did not enjoy. We had to put an empty chair in front of us, imagine someone is in the chair and share that name with the class. After this we had to talk to the imaginary person in the chair and confront them with how they offended us. It was supposed to help, but I just remember being glad when it was over. 

For some folks, prayer is like talking to an empty chair. They are not sure God is listening. When you feel that way, you will not keep a faithful prayer life.

When you read today’s verse you will see why the Psalmist prayed and why he will always pray. The answer is found in the first part of the verse. “Because He has inclined His ear to me.” One translation put it, “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”

When you believe that God is bending down to listen, like a loving father would do for a child, then you will pray. When you think God does not hear, then sermons and exhortations will not be enough to create a good prayer life.!

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our verse for today is Ephesians 4:32:
“Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Children often ask, “Why?” Let’s ask that question about forgiveness: Why should I forgive?

First, God commands us to forgive.
Forgiveness isn’t optional. Today’s verse clearly instructs us to forgive others as God forgave us in Christ.

Second, we need forgiveness ourselves.
In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.” Our willingness to forgive reflects our understanding of God’s grace.

Most people agree forgiveness is important, but the challenge lies in practicing it. As one person said, “You just don’t know how badly they hurt me.” Here are three thoughts to help:

1. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting.
   It means deciding not to bring the offense up again. This takes strength, but it’s worth it.
2. Forgiving lightens your load.
   Holding onto hurt is like carrying a heavy burden. Over time, it wears you down. Forgiveness frees you.
3. Forgiveness helps you most of all.
   While it can help others, forgiving always helps you. It frees your heart from bitterness and fills it with peace.

So, why forgive? Because God commands it, you need it, and it sets you free. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Cain and Abel Jealousy

Genesis 4:8 says:  

“Then Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let us go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.”

The story of Cain and Abel, found in Genesis 4, is a powerful lesson about jealousy. Both brothers brought offerings to God, but God accepted Abel’s and rejected Cain’s. Cain became angry—not at God, but at his brother. Hebrews 11:4 explains that Abel’s offering was given “by faith.” If faith comes by hearing, Cain likely failed to follow God’s instructions.

Why was Cain angry with Abel? Likely because Abel’s success exposed Cain’s own shortcomings. Instead of addressing his own failings, Cain allowed jealousy to take over, leading to murder. 

This same destructive pattern can creep into our lives. We may feel fine until someone else succeeds. Whether it’s salaries kept secret, athletes demanding top pay, or neighbors competing to “keep up with the Joneses,” it’s all rooted in what I call “Cain and Abel jealousy.”

Jealousy is a trap, and it didn’t end well for Cain. It won’t work for us either.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

I admit to having been jealous. You probably have also, but what does that mean?

Let’s read Galatians 5:verses 19 and 20

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, …jealousy, and rage.”

This text includes many other terrible activities, but it speaks of jealousy right in the middle of these. Because of this, we rightfully think of jealousy as a negative behavior. 

A reading of Exodus 20, verse 5 might cause us to pause in our thinking. “You shall not bow down to them or worship other gods; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.”

Is jealousy wrong or right? The answer is: – maybe “YES” –  and maybe “NO.”

At first glance, jealousy has a negative connotation—it is linked with selfishness and insecurity. Galatians 5 lists jealousy as a “work of the flesh,” warning that those who live in such ways will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Yet not all jealousy is sinful. In Exodus 20: verse 5, God Himself is described as a jealous God.

Here is a simple definition of Jealousy. It is the feeling you get when you feel that you are about to lose something of yours that you value and love. 

The difference between “sinful” jealousy and “righteous” jealousy lies in motivation. Jealousy becomes wrong when it seeks to control or harm others for selfish gain. Think of Cain, whose jealous anger led to the tragic murder of his brother Abel (see Genesis 4).

It is righteous when it defends what is sacred, as God does for His people. Divine jealousy arises not from insecurity, but from His perfect love and desire for our undivided devotion. 

God has a jealousy over you. What a wonderful thought.

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Our verse for today is James 1: verse 4.  

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  

We often admire patience in others but struggle to practice it ourselves. 

In a world where instant gratification is the norm, waiting can feel like a heavy burden. Yet, scripture consistently calls us to embrace patience—not just as an act of waiting, but as a way of behaving while we wait. Patience is about the attitude and grace we demonstrate while we wait.  

Consider the farmer in James 5:7. He patiently waits for the rain to nourish his crops, trusting the process and the seasons. He doesn’t try to force the growth because he knows it’s out of his control. In the same way, God uses our times of waiting to shape our character, teaching us to lean on His wisdom and timing rather than our own.  

Patience reveals love. As 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us, “Love is patient.” When we practice patience, we reflect God’s endless grace and love for us. 

In closing, remember the words of the Psalmist who said, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret.”

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.