Prayer is a powerful tool to sustain our faith and encourage us as we wait on the Lord whether in temptation, fasting, alms-giving, offering, thanksgiving, etc. God finds His servants trustworthy to sustain them when they pray to him including in periods of distress or temptation.
For example, when the priests and Sadducees threatened the disciples not to speak about Jesus, their brethren hearing lifted their voice to God with one accord and prayed for boldness to speak God’s word. (Acts 4:17-18; 4:23-31). Also, at Gethsemane, Jesus “began to be sorrowful and very heavy” and “ [his] soul [was] exceeding sorrowful, even unto death”. Yet he fell on his face and prayed three separate times, each seeking the Father’s will concerning his death, to be done (Matthew 26:36-45).
When we wait on the Lord in prayer, and good courage he shall strengthen our hearts and incline to hear our cry; and exalt us to inherit our desires or overcome our fears in temptation. (Psalms 27:14; 37:34; 40:1-2). Although our flesh may be weak to engage in prayer, yet the spirit is always willing. So we should “watch and pray” to avoid temptation; “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching …with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” and with thanksgiving. (Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2).
5. WAITING FOR GOD’S GLORY
