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“Prayer Requests Ask Yahweh Everyday Readily! (P.R.A.Y.E.R)!”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

Editors Note: This devotional was originally sent through email on Monday, November 09, 1998 at 12:38:17 p.m. to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) students and others who wanted to receive daily devotionals at the University of Pittsburgh while I was serving at IVCF! It is being republished on Pittsburgh Standard today.

SCRIPTURE:

"After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, 'Why couldn't we drive it out?' He replied, 'This kind can come out only by prayer.'" (Mark 9:28-29)

Jesus had just returned from the transfiguration where he was met by Moses and Elijah. Peter, James, and John were with Him. They were coming back from the mountainside and saw a commotion where the other nine disciples were at. Jesus found out that a boy was demon possessed and his disciples there could not get it out. Jesus eventually heals the boy and sets him free.

Observations:

1. Jesus went back indoors. 

2. His disciples come to him and ask him privately, 'why they could not heal the demon?'

3. Jesus replies, "This kind can come out only by prayer"

Interpretations:

The disciples must have felt really down that they could not heal that boy who was possessed by the demon. They felt that they could and tried to heal the boy but had no success. There were nine of them there and none of them could heal the boy. Now they wanted to know where they went wrong. They must have felt really embarrassed too because they went to Jesus privately to ask Him why they could not do it. Jesus tells them that this kind can come out only by prayer. This kind refers to 'specific ailment the boy was suffering from (demon possession)

Application:

You may have friends that you know who are suffering and hurting in different areas of their life?

You want to help them so much and see them get better?

You may feel that if they just give you the opportunity to help them, they can feel better?

You may even approach the person who is hurting with their friends to cheer them up?

But, you discover that whatever you try to do to cheer them up, there pain is still there because the wounds go deeper than you can reach them. You just wish they could get better and receive the deliverance they need. Whatever you do, you may feel it is not reaching them making you so frustrated and hurt because you care for your friend so much and love them as your friend!

When that happens it is so easy to get discouraged and down on yourself, blaming yourself wondering if you could have done something better. The important thing to realize is that when the enemy has held the other person in bondage, none of our human efforts can do any good how much we try. They are being held prisoner to their wounds and scars that only the Master's healing touch can make them recover. It is not always instant but our Lord will lift up our friends that we love and care for and restore them to complete healing. This is what happened to the boy who was demon possessed.

Jesus gave the disciples an answer how deliverance can come. It is through prayer. Prayer is the key to deliverance. We may have the best intentions for our friends but only the Lord's touch through our prayers can bring healing in their lives. We cannot do it on our own. Don't make prayer the last resort but let it be the first priority in your life bringing your hurting and suffering friends in prayer.

I can speak from personal experience because I have had friends that I loved and cared for so much. Seeing them hurt and suffering made me so sad because I felt helpless to make them happy. I knew the Master's touch can bring healing and deliverance. I knew what my friends wanted and needed. I took it to the Lord in prayer daily bringing my requests to the Lord earnestly knowing His answer will come soon. I have seen the Lord do miraculous things in my friend's lives. I am so happy for them. It helps a lot to pray with your friends who are hurting. I have done that as much as I can. Even if they are not a Christian, ask them if you could pray for them. One of my pre-Christian friends was hurting so much one night and called me at 3:30 A.M. She felt everything was going wrong in her life. I listened to her, shared with her promises from the Bible, and asked if I could pray for her. After our talk and prayer she felt much better.  Make prayer a  priority because the Lord says so! He will not ask us to do anything unless it is for our own good.

"Prayer Requests Ask Yahweh Everyday Readily! (P.R.A.Y.E.R)"/"What can P.R.A.Y.E.R to Jesus do in your friends lives?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus let us not forget the importance of prayer and how much you love us. Help our friends who are hurting and need our healing. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you that we can always come to you. We lift up our friends to you and everyone who is hurting. Only you Oh Lord can bring healing in their lives. Please help them Lord. Thank you so much! In Your Name We Pray! Thank you for hearing us and answering us! Amen!

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2013 DEVOTIONALS:

Mark 2:2-5: "What kind of F.R.I.E.N.D will you be thought of as?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 10, 07:03 a.m.)

Mark 3:14-15: "Why S.P.E.N.D time with Jesus daily?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 11:07 a.m.)

Psalm 34:4: "What can you do with your F.E.A.R.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 07, 2013, 8:43 a.m.)

Psalm 33:4: "What will you do with F.A.I.T.H in your classes?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 2013, 9:31 a.m.)

Mark 1:43-44: "What does your disobedience C.A.U.S.E for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 2013, 2:57 a.m.)

Mark 1:41-42: "What past do you need to be C.L.E.A.N from?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 2013, 10:54 a.m)

Proverbs 29:25: "Where will you take a S.T.A.N.D without wavering?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 2013, 07:43 a.m)

Matthew 18:21-22:"Why F.O.R.G.I.V.E when it will happen again?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29 2013, 09:35 a.m)

Psalm 27:14:"How do you C.O.P.E with your hurt?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

John 12:24:"Who do you remember physically and spiritually on this M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 27, 2013, 11:13 a.m)

"What has the law P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D you to do but it goes against the Lord?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 09, 2013, 6:57 a.m)

"Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 08, 2013, 6:58 a.m)

"What has A.N.G.E.R done to your relationships?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 29, 13, 1:28 p.m.)

"How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?"  By Ramesh C. Reddy (April 06, 13, 11:48 a.m.)