This resolution of Daily United Prayer is based on An Humble Attempt, originally put forward by Jonathan Edwards in 1748. Its design is to encourage God's people in the duty of united extraordinary prayer; setting aside some time every day to pray for the revival of His church and the advancement of Christ's kingdom in our homes, in our churches, in our nation, and in the world.
"Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" Genesis 18:11.
This passage should be a source of great encouragement to those of us who are beginning to feel our age. Both Abraham and Sarah believed in the promise of God to bless their offspring with abundant fruitfulness so as to be like the dust of the earth (Gen 13:16) and as the stars of the heaven (Gen 15:5) without number. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness (Gen 15:6). But as time went on, though they still believed in the promise, they couldn't understand how it could possibly come to pass since Sarah was barren. And thus we see them employing carnal reason in Genesis 16 to see the fulfilment of this promise. This was an error and it has been the source of conflict and grief between individuals and nations ever since.
Having said all that, as Genesis 16 closes and Genesis 17 opens, we read that thirteen years have passed and Abram is now almost 100 years old. So the fulfilment of this promise looks even more impossible—humanly speaking. But it is precisely at this time of his life that the Lord comes again and reassures Abraham of His original promise to him. And to strengthen the point, the Lord indicates that the promised seed will come through Sarah, even though she was "old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women." I wish to make the simple application that no matter where we are in the spectrum of life, the Lord can and will use His people. The Lord is not restricted by our age or our infirmities. On this prayer call, we have been placing an emphasis on the next generation of young people. In my mind, this is a good burden to have, but not at the neglect of the older generation. Psalm 92:14 tells us, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing." Even in our older years, God's promise to us is that we can be exceeding fruitful for the advancement of Christ's kingdom. Remember what we read of with Moses when he died? "And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." Deut 34:7. Isn't this a most wonderful thing? That should be our prayer. We must all decline physically and we will eventually go the way of all flesh. It is appointed unto man to die. Yes. But it doesn't mean that our spiritual strength needs to diminish as well. Because, "though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor 4:16.
Lord, may we see the promise of revival and new life even in our old age. May we wait patiently for it and not resort to carnal means to "make it happen." May we, like Sarah and Moses, defy all natural odds and see Thee work in such spiritual abundance and fruitfulness despite our advanced years "until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come." Ps 71:18. Is anything too hard for the Lord?
DAILY UNITED PRAYER unitedprayer.net
Mon-Fri @ 12pm EDT // Sat @ 10am EDT
We invite you to join our dedicated and earnest group of praying participants of all ages from around the world that meet every day over Zoom to pray. At the start of each prayer call, a different individual will bring a brief Scriptural meditation. Here's the most recent:
