Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Persistent, Patient Prayer
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Persistent, Patient Prayer
If we make a request of someone—perhaps a friend or coworker—and don’t receive an answer, we wonder why. Did they forget? Does their silence mean no? Are they still considering our request? We may be afraid to ask again and so continue in a state of confusion. Sadly, we take that human experience and apply it to God in the case of unanswered prayer.
Several things are different when it comes to unanswered prayer. First, Jesus taught that God knows what we are going to pray for before we even ask (Matthew 6:8). That eliminates the possibility of God not having heard our prayers. Second, Jesus told a parable illustrating the fact that we should continue to ask and not give up (Luke 18:1-8). In the parable, a woman petitioned a judge with her request and continued to ask until she received an answer. A second parable of Jesus illustrates the similar points of boldness and persistence in prayer (Luke 11:5-8).
Third, God is good and will not withhold anything from His children according to His perfect plans. Pray and be patient while awaiting God’s answer.
The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.
F. B. Meyer
For Your Phone or Tablet
Official Mobile App and Lock Screens
Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.
You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:
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King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
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Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
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Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
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Roman Empire
When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).
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Future European Coalition
This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).