October 8

Morning

When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” — Luke 5:4 BSB

This passage teaches us the importance of human effort. The miraculous catch of fish didn’t bypass the fisherman, their boat, or their nets. All were needed to catch the fish. In the same way, God uses human instruments in the saving of souls, and while the present age of grace remains, He will continue to use the “foolishness of preaching” to save those who believe. While God is glorified when He works without human help, He has chosen to work through human effort as the primary way to display His glory.

However, human effort alone is powerless. The fishermen had labored all night and caught nothing. Why? They were skilled in their trade, not novices. They had worked diligently, not carelessly. They had persevered, not given up. There was no shortage of fish in the sea, as proven when Jesus arrived, and the nets were filled with fish. So what was the reason? The truth is that without Jesus, their efforts were fruitless.

Without Christ, we can do nothing. But with Christ, all things are possible. His presence brings success. When Jesus sat in Peter’s boat, His mere will drew the fish into the net. When Christ is lifted up in His Church, His presence is our strength. As He said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.”

So, as we go out today in our work of winning souls, let us lift our eyes in faith and look around with compassion. Let us labor diligently, knowing that He who commands us to let down the net will fill it with souls for His kingdom.

Evening

But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, — Jude 1:20 BSB

The defining characteristic of true prayer is that it is offered “in the Holy Spirit.” Genuine prayer begins with God and returns to Him. We must send back to God the very desires He places in our hearts. Only those prayers that originate with Him can move His heart and bring down His blessing. Fleshly desires have no power with Him.

Praying in the Holy Spirit means praying with fervency. Cold prayers are not prayers at all; they are requests for God to ignore them. Those who do not plead with fervency are not really pleading. Just as there is no such thing as lukewarm fire, so there is no such thing as lukewarm prayer. Our prayers must be ablaze with passion!

Praying in the Holy Spirit also means praying with perseverance. True prayer doesn’t give up but grows stronger when God delays the answer. The longer the door remains shut, the harder we knock. The longer the blessing is withheld, the more determined we are to wrestle in prayer until we receive it. God delights in tearful, agonizing, and persistent prayer.

Additionally, praying in the Holy Spirit means praying with humility. The Holy Spirit never fills us with pride. His role is to convict us of sin and lead us to bow in brokenness and contrition. Only those who cry out to God from the depths of humility can pray in a way that pleases Him.

Finally, prayer in the Holy Spirit is filled with love—love for our fellow believers and love for Christ. It is also a prayer of faith, for faith is the key to answered prayer. The Holy Spirit strengthens our faith so that we can pray with confidence in God’s promises.

Oh, that these beautiful graces—fervency, perseverance, humility, love, and faith—might flourish in our prayers! Blessed Comforter, help us in our weakness, and make our prayers fragrant offerings before God’s throne!