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.
"My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue." Psalm 39:3.
The Lord Jesus directs these words to the church at Laodicean, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot." Revelation 3:15. What an indictment to a church—especially to a church that thought they were doing quite well because they were rich and increased with goods. The Lord would have us to have a "hot heart." The two on the road to Emmaus had discouraged hearts—cooled hearts. Why? Because their hopes were dashed. They put their faith in this Jesus, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word (Luke 24:19). "We trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel." This is the language of discouragement and defeat. They thought He was going to do one thing but another happened. Their prayers were unanswered and their once-hot hearts were now quite cold. Is this not how things go with us so often? Either through carnal comforts or through unanswered prayers, our hearts can become cold.
This is not the will of God for us.
Regarding those two on the road to Emmaus, as the Lord Jesus talked with them and revealed to them a thing or two from the Word, they began to walk by faith and not by sight. Their hearts began to burn within them. Far from being a monumental defeat, God was working the greatest work of victory in the cross work of Jesus Christ. They just needed to exercise their faith.
Psalm 39:3 teaches us that "My heart was HOT within me, while I was musing the fire burned." Friends, let's learn the lesson well. The world in which we live is unremitting in its attempt to bring NOISE, TROUBLE, and ANXIETY into the lives of God's people so that we cannot MUSE on God's Word and have our hearts warmed. Isn't it interesting that the very word "amusement" is so named from the opposite of "muse" which is to think or to contemplate? The devil doesn't want us to muse. Because as we muse, the fire burns. O how we need to learn to shut the door on every competing thing and the natural cares of life and pray to our Father which is in heaven. May it be so, Lord Jesus.
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:
