In Matthew 25, Jesus shares a sobering parable of ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom—five wise, five foolish. All had lamps. All waited. All slept. But when the moment came, only five had oil. It’s a story not just about readiness, but intimacy. It’s a call for believers to move beyond appearances and into authentic daily connection with God.
Let’s be real: it’s easy to look like a Christian. We know how to lift our hands, show up at church, post a verse, and serve in ministry. But the lamp—our outer life—is powerless without the oil of intimacy. You can’t burn without oil.
This generation is structured, gifted, and informed. But structure without surrender is empty. Talent without intimacy is hollow. We were not made to perform Christianity—we were made to burn for Christ.
And that fire doesn’t come from yesterday’s prayer. It comes from daily devotion. Just like manna in the wilderness couldn’t be saved for tomorrow, yesterday’s oil won’t sustain today’s battles.
The moment we stop praying is the moment we start drifting. Drift doesn't require rebellion—it just requires neglect. Stop reading. Stop praying. Stop worshipping. And slowly, the flame fades.
We feed our flesh when we don’t feed our spirit. And a malnourished spirit cannot stand against the attacks of the enemy. Galatians 5:17 reminds us the flesh and the Spirit are in constant conflict. Whichever we feed will lead.
Prayer isn’t a religious duty—it’s spiritual nutrition. It’s our anchor. Our defense. Our power source. When we drift from prayer, we become weak, vulnerable, and distracted. But when we press in—when we pray through—we ascend the hill of the Lord (Psalm 24) and enter into true fellowship with God.
When the bridegroom came, the foolish virgins asked to borrow oil from the wise. But oil can't be transferred. Intimacy can’t be shared. You can’t live off your parents’ faith or your pastor’s fire. You need your own relationship with Jesus.
The oil is what keeps you burning in dark seasons. It sustains your faith in the wilderness. It fuels your passion when you’re tired. And without it, the fire will eventually go out.
The modern church has often invited people to blessing without brokenness, to peace without repentance, to a party without a cross. But Jesus never said, “Follow me and life will be easy.” He said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
The true Gospel requires a response: surrender.
Leviticus 6:12 gives us a powerful visual:
“The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out.”
That fire represents passion, holiness, and presence. And it requires daily tending.
Just like we plug in our phones or electric cars, we must plug our spirit into the source. Sunday is not enough. You can’t run all week on a single charge.
Prayer doesn’t always get you out—but it will always get you through. We don’t pray to impress God—we pray to be transformed by Him. The secret to a strong spirit is the secret place.
Ask yourself: Am I burning for God—or just busy doing things for Him?
Do I have the fire—or just the form?
Have I cultivated oil in my lamp, or am I running on empty?
This week, commit to consistent prayer. Not out of obligation—but out of love. Stir the fire. Guard the altar. Don’t let the oil run out.
Your lamp was made to shine—but only with oil.
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