Help for discouragement may be the number one request here at PT. In fact, when I finish this devotion, I'll turn my attention to someone who for two days has sought help for this very reason. No doubt, many more will come today seeking help because they've lost hope.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians concerning this same problem that so many face today. The preacher had reason to be discouraged because he had resistance, mostly from the redeemed crowd who professed faith in Christ but didn't like the way Paul was teaching others to know it. Still, by Holy Spirit revelation, he was confident in his mission. He continued to preach to the Gentiles, not because it made sense but because God told him to do it.

By telling the Ephesians not to be discouraged, Paul revealed the source of his own confidence to the young Christians. He urged them to likewise exercise their freedom and approach God boldly in prayer through the power of the Son. Quite simply, Paul told them, "Jesus said you could come, so don't let anyone else talk you out of it. It's yours; be confident, not because I said so, but because Jesus did!"

I often wonder why we don't pray like we should. In most churches, prayer is given a seat of honor at our planning session banquet. But from the moment we push the chair under it, we then pay little attention to it. Prayer is often ignored for the sake of exercising other plans, things conceived in the heart of men. We stir up dust with our work while few if any stir God's Spirit through prayer. Is there any wonder why we so often fail to see God bless the work of our hands?

Have you learned to approach God in faith and confidence? If you want to learn how, here it is:

1. Go to God's word and reclaim the freedom granted you by faith in Jesus Christ;
2. Refuse to be mislead by anyone, regardless of their credentials, who winks at prayer and promotes a "different" plan;
3. Focus on what God can do and not what you can do;
4. Be ready to act, but not before until you go in God's power;
5. Trust God to do in His time, what He wants to do.
6. When in doubt, go back to step one and continue.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Is. 43:14-45:10 Ep. 3:1-21 Ps. 68:1-18 Pr. 24:1-2 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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