‘ONE GREAT SECRET TO SUCCESS–WORK” We live in a culture that has seen a great decline in its appreciation for the value of work. The percentage of working age people with full time jobs is at one of the lowest points in our history. While some of the decline can be attributed to economic conditions, the reality is that many people are quite content to avoid work as long as someone else is willing to provide them with enough money to get by. At one time there was a greater appreciation for the need and value of hard work. The founder of the Holiday Inn hotel chain said, “The secret of success was to work half days—and it didn’t matter which twelve hour period you chose”! That spirit is certainly not common in our day. While we rightly lament this decline in character that plagues a society which avoids work, when it comes to the Christian life, there are a number of hard things we are commanded to do as well. One of those is prayer. Praying rightly, according to Scripture is hard work. Paul said of Epaphras “Always labouring fervently (agonizing) for you in prayers” (Col 4:12). This is not a casual prayer offered at meal time, bedtime, or at the beginning of a service. This is fervent, intense and serious praying—praying that costs us something. When our hearts are stirred by needs, we find ourselves willing to struggle and agonize in prayer until the answer comes.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 15:09:29 +0000