Finding Encouragement to Persist in Prayer - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 13

PLUS...20 Scriptures to Strengthen Your Marriage  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ &zwnj [Crosswalk.com Logo]( The Crosswalk Devotional  [Devotionals](        [Newsletters](        [e-Cards](      [The Crosswalk Devotional]( Finding Encouragement to Persist in [Prayer]( By Christine Perry "Rejoicing in hope, patient in [tribulation]( continuing steadfastly in prayer." [Romans 12:12 NKJV]( A recent Pew Research Center poll of [the frequency of prayer among Christians]( showed 68% of Christians pray daily. Living in an instant gratification society, we are not very patient and often give up when we don't see the results we want. In DL Moody's book Prevailing Prayer, he shares this story, "About 1,500 gathered for two hours of lively, focused prayer. Later, I asked Pastor Jim Cymbala why so many were attending the Brooklyn Tab prayer meetings when many other churches have canceled their prayer meetings for lack of interest. He answered, 'You would also have a full church on prayer meeting night if your people actually believed that God answers prayer!'" When we face delayed answers, we tend to grow weary of praying. But, remember, the God we are praying to is the same God who: gave Sarah a son past child-bearing years, parted the Red Sea, brought forth water from a rock and manna from heaven, shut the mouths of lions, rescued three men from the fiery furnace, healed the lame, gave sight to the blind, and paid for the penalty of sin so we could spend eternity with Him. Is there anything too hard for God? No! When we pray, the power does not rest on our abilities. Instead, it rests on the character of who God is. And lest we forget, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever ([Hebrews 13:8]( St. Augustine said, "If God seems slow in responding, it is because He is preparing a better gift. He will not deny us. God withholds what you are not yet ready for. He wants you to have a lively desire for His greatest gifts. That is to say, pray always and do not lose heart."  [CONTINUE READING →](            You May Also Like:        [20 Scriptures to Strengthen Your Marriage](  Debbie McDaniel There’s a battle over marriages today, and the enemy would love nothing more than to destroy yours, and to bring you down.  [CONTINUE READING →](       [3 Ways to Empower Your Prayers](  Rev. Kyle Norman We are called to be bold in our prayers. God is the one who hears us and answers us before we call. Unyielding grace surrounds our prayers. There is no need, passion, or desire that we cannot lift to God in prayer.  [CONTINUE READING →](            ['Slow Down' - Nichole Nordeman Sings Emotional Love Letter From Moms To Their Babies](  GodTube.com Christian artist Nichole Nordeman shares a touching song written from a mother's perspective for her children. This emotional song has captured the hearts of the world and the beautiful lyrics reminds us that children are truly a gift from God.  [WATCH NOW →](        [5 Things Christians Label as ‘Sin’ That Aren’t Actually Sinful](  Dale Chamberlain  Sin separates us from a relationship with God, as well as each other. The power of Jesus’ resurrection is that sin no longer enslaves us. God has empowered us by his Spirit to fight back against it.  [CONTINUE READING →](                            Bible Trivia Question of the Day                                           Complete the following: `Blessed are the merciful:...` A. For they shall be comforted B. For they shall obtain mercy C. For they shall inherit the earth D. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven [ANSWER THE QUESTION →](     [Crosswalk.com Logo](  [Read about Salem Web Network](  |  [Unsubscribe](   [Email Preference Center](  |  [View in Browser](   © 2023 Salem Web Network. All rights reserved. 111 Virginia Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219. This email is never sent unsolicited. You are receiving this email because your email address, {EMAIL}, is signed up to receive newsletters, updates, and special offers from Crosswalk. Â