Prayer does not have to tend to some complicated formula before it can be effective. David was flying from his son’s plot when he heard that Ahithophel was in league with Absalom. Knowing how potent his counsel could be, he made his supplication in just one line. “And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” II Samuel 15:31 NKJV. Reclaiming the throne later had something to do with that timely prayer. One of the malefactors crucified with Jesus had requested to be remembered in the kingdom. As our text shows, that simple prayer in the last moment of his life gained him an eternity with God. It is not where or how you say the prayer that counts, it is the sincerity of the heart that determines the outcome.

What you can do even without a pay can be said to be a pointer to your calling… If you have just one last breath left, what would you rather use it for? Your answer can be a clue to what you are cut out to do.

Let’s turn our attention to Jesus’ conduct on the cross when He saved the malefactor. His action is a demonstration that service should not be left to our spare moments. It is not what we do when it is convenient. Despite the excruciating pain associated with being on the cross, Jesus did not stop serving. He served in His area of calling by saving one more life. There are clues to understand your calling. Firstly ask yourself, “What am I eager to do even without pay or reward?” What you can do even without a pay can be said to be a pointer to your calling. We can add something to this from Jesus’ experience. If you have just one last breath left, what would you rather use it for? Your answer can be a clue to what you are cut out to do. Jesus used His last breath to save a soul; and that was what He came to do.