Thursday 12.16.10: Daily Disciplines

Wake Up:
6:00 am

Devotion:
Streams in the Desert
"There was also a prophetess, Anna... She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying." (Luke 2:36-37)

There is no doubt that it is by praying that I learn to pray, and that the more I pray, the better my prayers will become. For people who pray in spurts are never likely to attain to the kind of prayer described in the scriptures as "powerful and effective" (James 5:16)

Great power in prayer is within my reach, but I must work to obtain it. Abraham could not have interceded so sucessfully for Sodom if he had not communed with God throughout the previous years of his life. Jacob's entire night of wrestling at Peniel was certainly not the first encounter he had with his God. I look at my Lord's most beautiful and wonderful prayer in John 17, before His suffering and death, as the fruit of His many nights of devotion, and of His rising often before daybreak to pray.

If I believe I can become powerful in prayer without making a commitment to it, I am living under a great delusion. The prayer of Elijah, which stopped the rain from heaven and later opened heaven's floodgates, was only one example of a long series of his mighty pleadings with God. Oh, if only I would remember that perseverance in prayer is necessary for it to be effective and victorious!

The great intercessors, who are seldom mentioned in connection with the heroes and martyrs of the faith were nevertheless the greatest benefactors of the church. Yet their becoming the channels of the blesings of mercy to others was only made possible by their abiding at the mercy seat of God.

Remember, I must pray to pray, and continue in prayer so my prayers may continue.

Workout:
WOD: Active Recovery


Strength: Pullup Work

• 2x10 strict DH close grip pullups
• 2x10 strict DH close grip chinups
• 2x10 strict DH commando pullups

Notes: 

• Body is pretty sore from the week. Happy with the pullup work today. Took rest as needed in order to finish each complete set. Planning on stretching out hamstrings and shoulders tonight.