In the "Why Pray Series Part 1", we discovered that prayer is the avenue for a
relationship with God. But it goes even beyond this. It is through this
relationship that comes by prayer that we open the door for God to give us
wisdom and strength!
This becomes clear when we study the life of Jesus. Even though Jesus and God
were one (". . . So that they may be one as We are one." John 17:20), Jesus
depended on prayer, and He encouraged us to pray (see for example Mat 6:6). Just
this fact should motivate anyone to pursue a relationship with God: If Jesus did
it, so should I. It must be quite important.
When seeking wisdom, Jesus would often spend entire nights in prayer. However,
the answers He received were sometimes quite confusing (sound familiar to
anyone?). Take the time He was choosing His twelve disciples: "Jesus went out to
a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came,
he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them," (Luke 6:12-13 NIV)
Let's remember that among these "elites" that God told Him to choose were
individuals who could be considered far from being "spiritual". Remember Judas?
"Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor . . ." (Luke 6:16 NIV). What about the
ambitious James and John, the "sons of thunder"? "Then James and John, the sons
of Zebedee, came to him. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we want you to do for us
whatever we ask.' 'What do you want me to do for you?' He asked. They replied,
'Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.'
(Mark 10:35-37 NIV) And of course, any such discussion would have to include the
infamous Simon Peter: "Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan!
You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but
the things of men.'" (Matt 16:23 NIV)
No human reasoning would have ever included these men in a list of people who
would later found God's church! But as I contemplated this, it suddenly hit me:
prayer is not a way to remove the unknown and unpredictable elements from our
lives, but a way to access God's wisdom so as to include unidentified elements
in the outworking of God's grace in our life! "And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to
his purpose." (Rom 8:28 NIV)
Let's not forget that Judas's low-life betrayal led to the salvation of all
humankind (See John 3:16); and James, John and Peter were all humbled, and later
on they became pillars in the church (1 Peter 5:6), all by God's grace! It
brings great relief when we realize that Jesus really can identify with us 100%
of the time. If some of our prayer-based decisions seem to turn sour, we should
not be disheartened. Remember we are seeking God's wisdom, not God's endorsement
on our own wisdom. When we seek His wisdom and follow His advice, His grace will
somehow shine through!
Wow! That's pretty awesome! It permits us to be lifted beyond our mere daily
circumstances! "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the
heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." (Eph 2:6 NIV)
We can also learn about prayer from the prayers that aren't specifically
recorded in Scripture. During His last meal with His disciples, Jesus said to
Peter: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed
for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." (Luke 22:31-32 NIV)
Interestingly, Jesus did not deny Satan's request to test Peter, nor did he pray
for God to embolden Peter to be able to resist the devil's temptation. Instead
He prayed that Peter's faith would not fail. Peter was not able to resist the
devil's temptation, but his faith did not fail. Through the grace of God, this
situation was used to change Peter into a humble man who depended upon His
Master instead of upon himself.
It seems that when facing tests, we have the freedom to fail or pass them. But
no matter what, God can turn these into grace-filled opportunities if we allow
Him! Jesus' prayers for Peter, and assuredly for Judas as well, convey God's
immeasurable respect towards human freedom (in deep contrast with the
freedom-crushing style from the devil).
As a young adult, I would have never imagined leaving my home. I loved the coast
of Belgium. I loved walking down the streets of my hometown, contemplating the
numerous historical markers and dreaming about what it must have been like to
live there in the middle ages. I delighted in breathing in the salty ocean air,
and one of my favorite things to do was to walk around the fish market. There
was nothing in the world that smelled as good to me as freshly caught fish! But
God had other plans for me. In order to pursue my studies in the fashion I had
chosen to pursue them, I would have to move. I would have to leave behind my
beloved ocean and cross the planet to another continent, to a place where the
seacoast was only a distant vacation spot.
Feeling like an alien living abroad was far from being easy and initially I
questioned the wisdom of my move, but looking back over the past thirty years, I
can now see my move as a blessing from God. As a result of my obedience, I have
experienced His grace numerous times. It was in America that I met my wife. As a
result, I have been blessed with two adventuresome boys who constantly remind me
that they make a difference in my life! Another result of my move was that I was
in the place where I could assist an abused child from my home country. She
wasn't safe in her home, and because I lived on the other side of this planet,
my family was an ideal place for her to begin the healing process. She accepted
Jesus Christ into her life and was able to put her past behind her. She
eventually married an European living in Canada, and they now have two beautiful
children. Had I not been obedient to God's guidance, I never would have been
able to see such a powerful illustration of God's grace in someone's
forlorn-looking life.
No matter your circumstances, when you prayerfully approach God's throne, you
will experience His wisdom in ways beyond anyone's imagination. Life may be
tough for a while, but what an encouragement to see God at work around us! And
He is at work, filling us with His presence and with inner peace that nothing
and nobody can disturb. He is awesome! Phil 4:7 "The peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus." NIV
If you haven't already done so, and you hunger to experience God's grace in your
life, come to Him in prayer and experience Him personally. Only then will you
experience life to the fullest! John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life,
and have it to the full." NIV
Past mistakes can be transformed and used to God's glory!
P. S. Some of these thoughts were inspired from Philip Yancey's book called
"Prayer, Does it Make any Difference?"
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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