praying effectively: Enter the Narrow Gate (gospels)

(Matthew 7:13-14)  “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

(Luke 13:24-30)  “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; 27 and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. 29 And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.”

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will: that the only way we can be saved and enter heaven is through believing in Jesus (Mt.7:13-14, Lk.13:24))

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your work on the cross to make salvation possible to anyone who decides to believe in You.  It is so simple, yet for so many people, that in itself is a stumbling block.  Give Your children the opportunities, the courage and the love to share the good news.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit to the point that You are overflowing to those around us.