Open Heaven 25 April 2024 Thursday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

TOPIC: When You Pray 1 [25 Thursday, April 2024] 

  MEMORISE: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” – Colossians 4:2 (KJV) 

  READ: Mark 1:30-36 (KJV) 

 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 

 31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. 

 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 

 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 

 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 

 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 

 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

  BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 22-23

  MESSAGE 

Prayer is a very powerful tool given to us by God for regular communication with Him. As powerful as this tool is, it is rather unfortunate that many people don’t use it at all while some who do, fail to make the best of it. The first thing that must be in place for you to pray effectively is focus; all distractions must be done away with. The devil knows that you need to be completely focused to get the best out of your prayer time, and this is why you usually remember some not-too-important things that can distract you during prayers. 

One of the reasons you see many men of God praying when everyone is asleep is that they don’t want to be distracted. In Mark 1:35, Jesus Christ woke up before daybreak to pray while others were asleep. He went to a secluded place to pray. You must try to remove distractions. Find a secluded place where you can always go to pray. That secluded place could be your closet or any other place without distractions. Anyone who does not regularly go to a secluded place to pray will eventually grow cold spiritually; I am saying this from experience. Many years ago, God pointed my attention to the fact that I was growing cold. He asked me, “When last did you spend quality time in my presence? Do you remember when you used to worship me in your car so much that my presence will fill the car, and you will have to park by the roadside because tears would have filled your eyes?” I responded, “Yes Lord, I remember, but that was before I had a driver. If I worship you that much now and my driver sees tears in my eyes, he will think something is wrong.” He responded, “Oh, it is now my fault that I gave you a driver?” I quickly apologised. That night, I left the house when everyone had slept to pray in the auditorium. The moment I started worshipping, the tears came rolling down. I had been praying all the while, but the major difference was that I had not been going to a secluded place to pray, and that had made me grow cold. Now, I have made it a habit to pray in secluded places, and my fire has increased greatly as a result. 

  ACTION POINT: Ensure you pray regularly in a secluded place. 

  Open Heavens 2024 Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.