PRAYER FOR TODAY SUNDAY 5TH MARCH 2023 – A PRAYER TO HAVE A FAITH THAT SPEAKS

DAILY PRAYER AND SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY.

Engage these Daily Prayer and Scriptures for today. Take to God all that you desire in prayers, while you watch restfully as he steps into situations to bring out beauty and colour in your live. Today, as you commune with God, know that God has settled all that concerns you, Just believe and pray with faith in your heart. Remain blessed in Jesus name, Amen.

Today’s Prayer is Authored by: Maggie Meadows Cooper

Prayer Focus For Today 5th March 2023: A Prayer to Have a Faith That Speaks

Abel. Most of us know him as the second son born to Adam and Eve or the brother Cain killed. But up until recently, I admit I didn’t know much else. His mention in Genesis 4 is short, so it seems that he wasn’t all that significant. Until we find he is the first man worthy of being listed in the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith.” And the question is, why is he there?

Hebrews 11:4 says: “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.”

Though he’s dead, he still speaks. Wow, I couldn’t wait to see what he said and how it would impact my heart. But when I got to Genesis 4 and read, guess what I found? He never spoke a word. At least not any recorded in Scripture. All we have is the record of one event in his life:

“…When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.” Genesis 4:2-5

That’s it. One seemingly insignificant offering to the Lord. But then, I looked back at Hebrews 11:4, and I saw it: “…he still speaks to us by his example of faith.” It wasn’t about the words. It was about his faith in action.

Two things we can learn from Abel are this:

1. Actions, many times, speak louder than words.

“…Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—

the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock.” Gen.4:3-4

Cain gave some, but Abel gave his best: the firstborn, along with what other translations tell us were the “fat portions.” Abel made a sacrifice. Cain made an offering. It was the heart behind the action that mattered, y’all. The humble action of faith Abel carried out “spoke”. And that is the challenge to us today. Do our actions leave a legacy that will still be “speaking” when we are gone?

2. Doing the right thing does not go unnoticed.

“…The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you…” Gen.4:4-7

The Lord never tells us that Abel did what is right, but we can infer that from this passage. And the question is, what did he do so right that Cain did so wrong? I think we see it in Cain’s reaction to the Lord’s rebuke. He became angry. A humble heart is more willing to apologize and ask the Lord’s forgiveness. But instead, pride took over, opening a door for Satan to gain a foothold that ultimately led to the murder of his only brother.

Abel possessed an obedient, humble heart, y’all. That heart led to the sacrifice that became the action of faith that still speaks today. May we all have the courage to act out our faith, do the right thing, and leave a legacy that speaks long after we are gone.

PRAYER FOR TODAY.

Let’s pray:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for Abel and his example of humility and obedience. Help me to share my faith in you, not only with my words but with my actions. Help me to have a heart willing to sacrifice the things of this world, putting you above all else.
In Your Mighty Name, Amen

This Is the Assurance of Answers to Your Prayers – Matthew 7:7-11

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN GIVE GOOD THINGS TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM!