Divine Providence and Earnest Intercession

"Divine Providence and Earnest Intercession"
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Was encouraged tonight in study. Meditation on Providence has proven fruitful. The Lord gives understanding when we seek it as hid treasure. (Prv 2:1-6) My mind was enlightened to know more of the blessedness of Divine Providence and earnest intercession. In reading through Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology I read, "When we earnestly intercede for a specific person or situation, we will find that God has ordained that our prayer would be a means he would use to bring about the changes in the world." (pp 334) He then quotes James 4:2 which encourages, "...ye have not, because ye ask not."
O how this stirs me! Why faint in prayer? Why lose heart to intercede? My prayers are part of God sovereign work! This brings great encouragement to my heart!
Intercession tonight was especially sweet! My heart was enabled to believe that God was working to this very end!
"Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me." (Ps 66:20)

Evangelism is a Divinely ordained means.
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" (Rom 10:13-15)
and I add, "How shall they be sent, except it be asked for?"
For Jesus commands,
"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Mt 9:38)

Earnest prayer is a Divinely appointed means the same way evangelism is.
We are to pray:
1. that labourers would be sent
2. that boldness would be given to preachers
3. that sinners would have ears to hear
4. that God would give those sinners the gift of faith that leads them to call on him
5. in short: that they may be saved. (Rom 10:1)

Let your heart be encouraged to tears for souls today.

"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." (2 Tim 1:7)