If prayer is not first...

There is a little story that a preacher once told that goes something like this: There was once a ship at sea that was being tossed around due to a violent storm. Things began to get really bad, and the crew began to toss everything overboard. In spite of their valiant efforts, things did not get better, but only continued to get worse. Finally, one of the passengers on the ship approached the captain and said, "Captain, is there anything else we can do?" To which the captain replied, "Pray!" "Oh my!" the woman said, "has it really come to that?"

Some people only pray with times get desperate. They turn to God only when they have done everything that they could do in their own strength and power. Such people fail to realize that if prayer is not the first thing you do, it will be the last thing you do.

This seems like a very true picture concerning prayer.

One has to ask what constitutes desperation?

Thanks.

As there are two types of sorrow according to Paul (one that leads to repentance, the other which leads to death), so I believe there are two types of desperation.

There is a desperation that causes one to cast their entire being upon God, realizing He alone can provide, and waits for Him to do so. Then there is the desperation that causes one to turn to God as a last resort, that doesn't involve any waiting on God, but seeks an immediate response.

More thoughts?

Brother Jimmy I haven't told you before but your posts are a blessing and I believe with the imprint of God in your life that is clearly evident.

That is why many times prayer is not answered unless there was some unknown reason why God for his glory answered.

The prayer of desperation in many situations is the sorrow of this world, because they have not known God by lovingly serving Him, but in their desperation for their own skin they are wanting Him to help them.

good reminder. Thanks bro.!

That is why many times prayer is not answered unless there was some unknown reason why God for his glory answer..... because they have not known God by lovingly serving Him,

Indeed, and serving Him here is the key. The Scriptures encourage us to "wait" upon the Lord. Somebody once said that this "waiting" upon the Lord is not simply the passive standing by, but is much more like a "waiter" in a restaurant. A waiter is somebody who actively serves another, and answers to their beck and call. Whereas those who offer the last minute "desperate" prayers turn the table on the Lord, and treat Him as their waiter who answers their own personal beck and call. Things should never be this way!

Good topic!