Prayer

Will You Answer That?

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I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2 ESV

When our cell phone rings, it is common for us to look at the number and decide whether to pick the call, reject it or just let it go to voice mail. But when I was a kid, a phone call was actually quite an event. Our only phone hung on the wall in the kitchen, and if it rang when mom had her hands in the dishwater, she would yell out, “Will somebody answer that please!” Then either my sister or I would run to pick it up. In those days, we couldn’t just say, “Hello!” Instead, we had to begin by saying, “This is the Jones residence; may I help you please?”

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The Bible tells us about the most important call of all: the one from God. Some of us may be letting God’s call go through to voice mail because we are afraid of what we think He is planning. We picture being sent off to some scary place overseas or emptying our bank account to help the poor. But we are missing what God’s call is about. Today’s verse tells us that He is far more interested in who we are than in what we do. So, go ahead. Be brave. Pick up the phone because you just may discover that God is calling for us to be humble in how we think of ourselves and gentle in how we treat others. We also may find out He is asking us to be patient when things don’t happen as quickly as we hoped (which is often) and loving forbearance when people fail us. And with all the callings and messages we are hearing it is most important of all to remember that everything God asks of us, He has already done when He picked up His phone and answered our call for mercy!

Resting in the Arms of God

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Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Romans 8:26 ESV

“Everything is going to be alright. God’s got this.” and, “He works everything for good.” Are all great sounding Christian ideas but in times of grief and discouragement the words often feel hollow and empty.

Some years ago we used to trade babysitting duties with another young couple so we could each have a kid-free night out. Their smallest was Debbie. From the first night she came Debbie decided that the only way she would go to sleep was if I held her in my arms and walked back and forth in our apartment for at least 20 minutes. Though my arms ached by the time she fell fast asleep I grew to have a special attachment to her.

That is what prayer is supposed to be between us and God. He invites us to bring Him our inconsolable griefs and welcomes us to be carried in His arms. Often I need Him to walk me back and forth across the throne room of heaven for much longer than I needed to carry Debbie. But the comfort and assurance I find there alone helps me embrace the truth that He is working all things together for good. Yes He is a good God – but only prayer keeps me close enough to His heart so that I can learn to rest in Him. Are you resting in the arms of God today?

No Care in Prayer

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Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 KJV

If this were my letter I would have written, “Things are terrible here in prison. Please pray and if you can, send me a warm sweater and a box or two of cookies!” But instead, Paul writes to encourage his friends that God answers prayer, even while he is sitting in a cold Roman jail.

He begins by telling them, “Stop worrying!” That is because being in trouble, is like driving on an icy road. Prayer is our steering wheel; faith is the accelerator and worry our brakes. If our car starts to slide, the worst thing we could do is slam on the brakes. To put our foot on the brakes means taking it off our gas pedal of faith. A situation without faith will always skid out of control and directly towards the ditch. Instead, Paul tells us to grab hold of the steering wheel of prayer. We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can always pray. It is as if Paul is saying, “Stop gripping the steering wheel in fear, instead relax and thank God.” When we give thanks in a crisis, is like gently keeping our foot on the accelerator of faith so we keep our traction on the road. Does it feel like your life is sliding out of control this today? Trust God and pray and He promises that a peace greater than we can understand will guard our hearts bring us safely on the road towards home!

I really love listening to David Wesley’s acapella renditions of some of the classic hymns of the church. I hope you will not only enjoy “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, but also listen and watch the short documentary at the end about Joseph Scriven. Have a blessed week everyone!