The Power of Prayer

The power of prayer

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, NIV) So often when a person prays, they have uncertainties regarding the question: Does God hear me? Or, will God answer my prayer? This kind of prayer is laced with uncertainty. How does one pray with a measure of faith that believes? I use to fall into the trap of quoting scriptures to reinforce my belief that God would somehow be bound to the words I spoke when I appended them with scriptures. I’ve since come to accept the truth that God is sovereign and that His will, not mine is all that matters. In this passage of Matthew, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane and as He falls to the ground and begins to pray, He asks His Father that if there is any possibility to save mankind without having to die on the cross, let His life be spared. But He immediately says, “…not as I will, but as you will.” Christ understood the importance of obeying the divine promise to save all humanity; even at the cost of His life. There is no restriction to asking God to hear and answer our prayers, but we are not empowered to dictate to the Lord to do as we ask. This is the mistake which believers can make; assuming that God is bound to do as you ask. I have not found this philosophy to be true in scripture or in my life. God is sovereign, that is the truth whether I choose to believe it or not. God answers prayer, but how God answers prayer is within His will; not mine. In fact, scripture teaches that there are times when a prayer is simply not answered. Prayer is our method of communication with God, but in reality, most prayers consist of a request we make known to God. No matter whether we are praying on behalf of someone else or our self, prayer contains an expression of a perceived need from me to God. We want God to do something which we ourselves cannot do. Years ago, this would be referred to as a miracle, today we simply say, God answered my prayer. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives...” (James 4:3, NIV) What about unanswered prayers with the right motives? Why do these prayers go unanswered? I have known people filled with guilt because they were told that they lacked sufficient faith to be healed. As a result of this lack of faith, God never heard their prayer for healing. This to me is ignorance of the sovereignty of God. Many Christians have been burdened with the guilt of insufficient faith. But we must consider a fundamental question for Christians when it comes to answered prayer: Who moves mountains on my behalf? Is it me or God? If it is simply a matter of belief, why then doesn’t the power of positive thinking change the world we live in? I have seen individuals on television, heard the promotions on the radio, and received promises in email and postal mail that there is a privileged key to unlocking the flood gates to my prayers. Each of these salesmen (and women) would have you believe that you can have what you want. I do not believe that God holds some individuals in higher regard than others; that they alone can get an audience before the throne of God and achieve results which others cannot. This philosophy negates the sovereignty of God. The prophet Elijah once asked the question: “…How long are you going to waver between two opinions?” he asked the people. “If the Lord is God, follow him!” (I Kings 18:21, TLB) A believer may find themselves stuck between what I would refer to as true faith and ignorant thinking. True faith trusts in the sovereignty of God regarding the outcome of my prayers. True faith says, “not my will Father, let Your will be done.” Ignorant thinking says, "I can have whatever I want." I remember reading in Daniel about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being faced with a crisis of their faith. They were given the choice of forsaking the one true God by submitting to idolatry, or remain faithful and die by being burned alive. I don’t personally know anyone who had to choose either death (for their faith) or life (by giving up their faith in Christ), but the bible chronicles that this happened to these three men. When given this ultimatum, here is how they responded: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18, NIV) They believed the God of heaven and earth was able to preserve their life, but they also were reconciled in the belief that if He chose not to save them, they would choose to die believing in His sovereignty. This helped me to understand that my prayers are not left to a random occurrence of events, there is no secret key which unlocks God’s willingness to answer my prayers, no oil, cloth, or holy water can do what only God chooses to do on my behalf. I don't dispute that prayers have been answered using a point of contact (the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, touching a piece of fabric, or the use of water). I believe that God will do what He chooses to do and how He chooses to do it when it comes to answering prayer. But I must also believe that what He chooses to do and how he chooses to do it is the best possible outcome for me. That to me is the power of prayer! Trusting God to do what I cannot and accepting how He chooses to do it. Think about the fact that God already knows the need in my life or in the life of someone I’m praying for. If He didn’t know, it wouldn’t make much sense to ask Him. Since God is already aware of what I’ve yet to ask, why do I pray? As I said, most prayers consist of some form of a request being made known to God. But since our Heavenly Father already knows what we have a need of, prayer is my acknowledgement that I depend upon God and not myself. Prayer is the method of spiritual communication between God and me. More than that, it is the only means of communication between you and God. There is no form of communication which is one way. Every form of communication requires some type of two-way conversation. God is not a spectator in your life! He is both intimately acquainted and involved with all aspects of your life. He doesn’t just seek to hear your prayer, He also seeks to be heard by you. That is when your prayers become a weapon of spiritual power; when there is true communication between you and God. As you move from the position of always asking God for something and never hearing God, to the position of spiritually communicating with God, you initiate the power of prayer. At that point, you know God is able, but even if He chooses not to do as you ask, you know He is still God and you are content to trust His will with the outcome and not your own. That’s the power of prayer. Try it! MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Christ in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

Come

Seashore Waves

Walking along the shore…     I hear the thunderous waves of the ocean…     calling me. They are the sound of a beating drum. It is like a primal call “Come”. I'm reminded of the words of Jesus, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” “…let the one who is thirsty come...” I think of Noah, Abraham, and Moses,     Old Testament men who actually heard...     the voice of God. The New Testament believers such as     the twelve apostles, Paul, and others…     who were witnesses to The Son of God. Today, I have my bible...     the written word of God. Still, as I walk, I hear the ocean roar. Echoing one simple word...     Come! He calls, and I rise. Eyes open, ready for the start of a new day,     a new season, a new time. I have fallen in love with a simple four-letter word...     Come! “…if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” Jesus was lifted up, and I was drawn to The Christ. I will lift up praises to Him, and perhaps...     someone will hear the word: Come!

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

Hearing

Overwhelmed with the emotions…     of sorrow and grief. Unaccustomed to crying…     but still no relief. Who will hear...     my impassioned plea? The silence is deafening…     the stress will not cease. I cry out to God…     but He says not a word. I give You my all…     please say that You've heard. Then in my silence…     God says to me. I've heard every word…     I've heard every plea. Compose yourself child…     and listen to me. I've given you life…     a gift that came free. A free gift for you…     but it came at a cost. Your life was condemned…     your soul was once lost. I sent my Son Jesus…     to stand in your place. He died on the cross…     so you would have grace. Up there He hung…     His blood streaming down. That you one day would wear…     an eternal crown. Know that I hear…     every word that you say. But will you listen…     to Me on this day? Choose you this day…     whom you will serve. If God be God…     then His voice you have heard. Walk in My grace…     and the newness of life. In the midst of the chaos…     of sin and of strife. Stand firm in the faith…     in Christ you are free. Walk in the grace…     of true liberty. poem by MTJ

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

The Keys to Listening

Last week I wrote about discovering what God wants from me. At the time, I remember thinking; there is so much to be said on this topic. How can I fit it in just one post? I decided to write it in a way I felt gave honor to God, while offering encouragement to

those who hear or want to hear from God. Little did I know, that post would lead me into an area on my spiritual journey, which speaks to the subject of listening.

A friend whom I love and respect shared some thoughts about me (I asked) and my friend realizing how I (at times) tend to overreact tempered what was said. Of the few words which were spoken to me, there was one word which caught my attention. The word was never.

Now never is a word in and of itself, which can be either good or bad. I understood it to be absolutely bad. To me, the word was all-encompassing (even though it perhaps was not meant that way). For me, the word never, spoke to my past, present and future. For me, there was no escaping never.

I was imprisoned by a word which offered no reprieve.

I decided to go and pray because I needed grace to overcome the disappointment, hurt and anger echoing in my ears. I found myself directed by the Holy Spirit to James 1 and there I read something that pierced my disappointment, hurt and anger.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”¹

What caught my attention were the words, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” Anger does not produce agreement or the correct standing with God. I will never agree with God when I’m angry. If I won’t agree with God, I’ll never agree with anyone else.

I thought it might help if I looked at other versions of scripture to learn how it might be expressed:

The Message:
“Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life. Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!”²

Living Translation:
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.”³

This time, what caught my attention was, “get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts”. To accept the word God has planted in my heart takes humility. I cannot take a defensive position regarding my life (no matter how justified I may feel that position is) and be humble to the extent of accepting God’s word.

Why do I attempt to defend myself? What will my pleading and arguments accomplish?

The key to listening seems to be tied to both my senses and emotions. There are three actions I must take to humbly accept the word of God:

1. Be quick to listen
2. Be slow to speak
3. Be slow to anger

Why does God want me to be quick to listen?

I believe listening in conjunction with my silence, short-circuits my mouth and emotions. If I’m not talking, I’m not attempting to defend myself. Look at the example of Christ:

“The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, ‘Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.’ But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.”⁴

Instead of listening, I opened my mouth in a vain attempt to defend myself. I was wrong.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”⁵

The example set forth by Christ is that of a servant! How can I presume to be more than Christ? Can I sublimate my ego to the place of humility? When I get there, I will find Christ waiting for me. To be humble, I must do more than listen…I must do what I hear. It serves me no useful purpose to listen, if I’m not committed to obeying God.

“Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.”⁶

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”⁷

Humility and obedience are interconnected as spiritual virtues. The more humble I become, the greater my capacity to obey God word. Having the capacity to obey is not the same as obeying. To obey takes discipline and self-control of my life, particularly what I say.

“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”⁸

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”⁹

“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief. You know their names—Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer—intemperate hotheads, every one.”¹⁰

It is a difficult lesson, but one worthy of learning:

1. Be quick to listen
2. Be slow to speak
3. Be slow to anger

These lead me to the place of humility and the path of obedience where I am welcomed by Christ.

Father God,

I realize that the in order to hear your voice, I must come to the place of humility. It is there where Christ wants me to stay, that I will hear Your voice. You don't want me to just hear, I must obey You. This is my desire O Lord. I reject my ego and my arrogance. I accept the mind of a servant; I will not practice my own form of self-justification. I am only justified by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Without Him, I am lost and I have no hope. I exalt You because You are life to me.

Now, O God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servants. For Your sake, Lord, look with favor on this nation of people. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the emptiness of our hearts. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because the people of this nation call on Your Name.

When we are weak, You give us strength. When we are afraid, You give us courage. When we are distressed, You give us peace. When we cry out for forgiveness, You hear and forgive our sins.

Thank You for all that You are O Lord. You are the Great and Mighty God who reigns supreme throughout eternity. We praise You with our hearts. Amen.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte and Ginger). I believe you will find the blogs linked there filled with a passionate love for Christ. I encourage you to visit. You won't be disappointed.

Footnotes:

1. James 1:19-22, NIV
2. James 1:19-22, The Message Bible
3. James 1:19-22, New Living Translation Bible
4. Mark 15:3-5, NIV
5. Philippians 2:5-8, NIV
6. Ezekiel 33:31-32, NIV
7. James 1:26, NIV
8. James 3:5, NIV
9. Psalm 19:14, New Living Translation Bible
10. Proverbs 21:23-24, The Message Bible

References:

1. The Ryrie Study Bible (New American Standard Version), Edited by Charles C. Ryrie, Moody Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, ISBN 0-8024-8920-6
2. The Amplified Bible, by The Lockman Foundation, Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, ISBN-13: 978-0310951414
3. King James Version, The Crusade Analytical Study Edition, Crusade Bible Publishers, Inc., PO Box 90011, Nashville, Tennessee 37209
4. The Message Bible, by Eugene H. Peterson, NavPress Publishing Group, Colorado Springs, CO, ISBN-13: 978-1600060250
5. New King James Version, by Nelson Bibles, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc., PO Box 141000, Nashville, Tennessee, ISBN-13: 978-0840713704
6. The NIV Study Bible, Edited by Kenneth Barker, Donald Burdick, John Stek, Walter Wessel and Ronald Youngblood, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530, USA
7. The New Living Translation Bible, by Tyndale Charitable Trust, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, ISBN-13: 978-0842384896

Parallels

Have you ever seen a parallel which reflected an analogy of your relationship with Christ? As a parent, you may see an example of your relationship to Christ through an experience with your child. As an employee, you may see the quality of your service to Christ by your professional conduct in your workplace. As a husband or wife, you may see your role as a bride to Christ in your marriage relationship.

This morning as I began to pray, I found myself asking God if there was anything I needed to hear…those of you with pets know the excitement they exhibit when they first see or hear your voice. I don’t know if God was licking His chops at the open door I’d given Him but He did have something to share with me.

I remained quiet while the Lord revealed that I’ve often listened but I have at times not heard Him. My instinct was to protest and to offer clarification; those of you with children or parents probably get this immediately. Anyway, I wanted to interrupt but I no longer had the floor. As the politicians say here in our nation’s capitol, I yielded the floor to my esteemed Creator on High.

I remained silent.

I wanted to hear everything I’d previously missed.

God showed me how I held a place in my life that was mine, all mine and no one got through that door; access was restricted.

Could I have listened to God’s direction and not heard one word? What kind of Christian is that? Am I guilty of rejecting instruction, direction and counsel?

When God finished, I saw my guilt with Him and others. I confessed my area of independence, expressing my desire that I DO want to always hear Him, obey Him, serve Him and please Him with my life.

I cannot imagine life without Christ but I’ve been willing to carry on with the status quo and reserve a place just for me. I realize that as much as I love to talk, I need to allow the grace of the Lord to show me how to hear; not just Him but others as well.

I wish I could share something insightful today but this is all I have and it was a necessary confession.

"O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly;
My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water." (^{Psalms 63:1})

I praise you Lord for your merciful grace showered in my life today. I bathe in it today and experience a freedom and cleansing only you can give. Thank you for loving me so kindly and forgiving me for my arrogance.

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On a side note, I want to express my thanks to some bloggers who have been an encouragement to me (particularly this week when I looked at the man in the mirror).

I started to include a disclaimer that said, "There are other bloggers whom I express my appreciation in personal comments; please don't look unkindly towards me for not listing you today." -- But as people who love and trust Christ is this really necessary?

Back to my thanks:I would be negligent if I didn’t share with this community that these bloggers have a heart for Jesus Christ that seeks to please Him and hear Him. As I've said, "they encourage and inspire me be be a better Christian":

DC Alisa Lloyd Dean Kim Jane Elizabeth Merana Sharon Sarah Tiffany Teresa

A Promise Keeper Faith Imagined Solid Rock or Sinking Sand? Glory to God Family, Money and Stuff Days of Our Lives 100th Lamb Quiet Ministries The Power of One Writing Tea with Tiffany Triumphant Victorious Reminders

If you haven’t visited these blogs, I would encourage you to check them out. Mention MTJ and you’ll receive…well, you don’t get any gift for mentioning me but tell them I asked you to visit anyway.