Kept Burning Regularly

Daily Reading: Leviticus 24-25

Scripture Focus: Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly. Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, Aaron shall arrange it from evening to morning before the Lord regularly (Leviticus 24.2-3a)

Devotional Thought: Recent hurricanes pressed many people into using home generators for power. I wonder, though, how many people went to fire up those generators only to discover that they were out of gas. What good is a generator without fuel? The church's programs and services and ministries are like those generators, and prayer is the fuel that keeps them running. Prayer connects us to the power source.

Refueling through prayer requires deliberate attention:

• Prayer takes determination. Prayer doesn't just happen. The people of God must make a conscious decision to pray, to seek his face and power. The people of Israel had to raise those olives for the oil. They had to adjust their business plans in order to have enough oil to bring. Without determination, the lamps in the tabernacle would have gone out.

• Prayer takes discipline. Prayer isn't easy. The Israelites had to beat the olives for the oil. The Apostle Paul said, "I beat my body and keep it under control" (1 Corinthians 9.27). If we let the flesh rule, we will never pray. And, it may be that if we fail to discipline ourselves, God will send us discipline to force us to our knees.

• Prayer takes dedication. Prayer must be done according to the will of God. Our prayers are not to be self-centered wish lists. The people of Israel had to bring the olive oil to God for his purposes. "Not my will, but thine be done!"

Are you keeping the fire of prayer burning regularly in your life?

Prayer: Teach me, O Lord, to pray, and enable me to pray with determination, with discipline and with dedication. I consecrate myself to this holy calling. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. (Psalms 111:1-5)