Tag Archive | prayer

If Only You had Been There!

Oct14

I’ve wondered about prayer since I was kid. I wonder how does God feel? Does my lackluster prayer life hurt His feelings, like if I just stopped Skyping my Mom? How does He begin answering prayers before I’ve prayed them?  Why does He wait so long to solve problems that He is going to end up solving for me in the end?  Does He ever answer me, and then I just don’t understand the answer at all?  How many “thank-you notes” for prayers answered have I forgotten to send in my life?

During my childhood, when I would plague my parents with questions like this at the dinner table, my sister would tell me that I would have to wait to ask God when I got to heaven. But as I was preparing a recent post (http://www.maidservantsofchrist.com/detail.asp?DetailID=74&Return=bymonth.asp?Start=9/1/2012) I ran across a passage that may have a few of the answers.

Towards the end of Jesus’ ministry, he was called back to Judea by an urgent message from Mary and Martha.  They were close friends-he had been a guest at Martha’s house for dinner (Luke 11:38-42). They said simply, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” There is an enormous amount of faith here.  Not only faith that Jesus can do something about it, but that he will (John 11: 1-3).

Hearing the message, noticing the faith of these two women and loving their brother deeply, Jesus hops up and takes the express donkey south. Nope. That’s not it at all. Let’s try again. Hearing the message, noticing the faith of these two women and loving their brother, Jesus words a quick prayer, “Father please help the sick and ailing, especially our brother Lazarus” and he was healed. Nope. One more time. Hearing the message, noticing the faith of these two women and loving their brother deeply, Jesus does nothing.

After two days of delay, he tells the disciples that they are going to go back to Judea, an idea that floors them. “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?” (John 11:8, John 10:39) He replies, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep” (John 11:11). Confused, the disciples remind Jesus that sleeping is good for sick people and Jesus has to spell it out, “Lazarus is dead!” (John 11:14)

It takes Jesus a while to get back to Judea, and when he arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb for 4 days.  Martha heads out to meet Jesus as soon as she hears he’s coming, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You” (John 11: 21-22).

I find that statement stunning. It is prayer and accusation in a single breath. The rest of the conversation reveals that Martha believes both in the resurrection and the fact that Jesus is the promised Messiah, filled with power. Don’t be fooled, her anger does not indicate a lack of faith. She heads back home and calls Mary out to talk to Jesus next  (John 11: 21-27).

Mary’s response is eerily similar.  She falls down weeping at Jesus’ feet-an act of prayer and worship, accusing him with the same words, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32).

Mary and Martha have a lot to teach us about prayer. They had bold, angry, accusatory words. Facing Jesus with all their honest emotion they sound like the Psalmists hurling words at God (Psalms 88).  Haven’t you ever wanted to say to God, “Where were you?”  “Why didn’t you help me?”  “I know you could have fixed this!” The sisters speak frankly to Jesus the way we can and should take our feelings to God in prayer.

Jesus has something to teach us too about God’s reaction to our prayer. First, when he delays he does so for good reason, even if it causes Mary and Martha some pain.  Before he left for Judea he intended to resurrect Lazarus and bring glory to God  (John 11:4). He indicates in John 11:9-10 that all these things are done at the right time. The furor over the finale of the story, when Lazarus is raised from the dead, is one of the excuses that the Pharisees used to justify the plot to kill Jesus (John 11:45-53).

Jesus’ delay is not as heartless as it might seem.  Matthew, Mark and Luke mention Jesus’ compassion over and over, but John shows it. When Mary starts to cry, Jesus cried too. As our great high priest, our permanent heavenly intercessor, Jesus is still moved by our pleas. God is compassionate (James 5:11, Deuteronomy 4:31, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalms 103:8, Psalms 116:5).

So let me encourage you to do three things. First, when you are hurt and frightened, when you are angry and accusatory, tell God. It is not a lack of faith to bring your real feelings to God’s throne. Second, don’t forget yours is not the only story. Mary and Martha’s story, the one where their brother died, is engulfed in a story where God was revealing the greater truth of the resurrection of the dead and orchestrating the events that would lead up to the crucifixion of His son.  The story of hurt and pain we are experiencing may be part of a greater story God is telling.  Finally, don’t think you are crying all alone.  God is compassionate and faithful and He is waiting for the day when He will wipe all your tears away (Revelation 7:17, 21:4).

—  By Helene

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright(c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

A Desperate Mama

Oct11

Have you ever thought your child was going to die? I don’t mean in a fit of temper you were going to have to kill them. All of us have had that humorous thought.  I mean have you had a moment or more than one, where you honestly didn’t know if your child would live or die? I have. Three times in the 4 years she has been in this world, I have honestly wondered if my younger daughter would live or die. They are three of the worst moments of my life.

When my baby was still a toddler she wandered out of our house. Somehow she pulled the doorknob, opened the door and then shut it behind her. Talking with a friend, we assumed she was playing quietly in her room. We lived in an urban apartment building beside a drop off-20 feet down to a busy road. When we realized she was gone, I ran through the grassy yard behind our home and peered over the drop off. I thought I would see her body broken at the bottom.I was desperate. I would have begged anyone, bargained anything, not to see that horror.

I was not the first desperate mama. Matthew and Mark both record the story of an anguished woman who came to Jesus. He had withdrawn to Tyre from the crowds which were constantly swarming him those days. A Gentile, she found him there and cried, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed” (Matthew 15:22).  She didn’t just say it once or twice. No, in the fashion of the widow and the unjust judge, she repeated herself over and over again (Luke 18:1-8). She kept calling until the disciples begged Jesus to answer her just to shut her up (Matthew 15:23)!

She pleaded for her daughter’s life.She was desperate enough that Jesus’ surprising reply did not deter her. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he said (Matthew 15:24). She fell at his feet and kept begging. He tried again to turn her away with harsh words, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26). This is the same Jesus who healed EVERY person who came and asked him in the gospels. He refused to do even one miracle for the sign seeking Pharisees but he never once turned down a single sick person or their family member (Mark 8). His answer seems so cold and out of character.

As harsh as it seems, it wasn’t nearly enough to stop her.  “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table,” she said (Matthew 15:27). Then Jesus said the most curious thing of all, “Oh woman, your faith is great” (Matthew 15:28). What faith had she shown? There was some persistence in her faith. The persistence of great distress I suppose. More than that though she had a deep belief in the compassion of Jesus. Being ignored, being annoying, being rejected, being compared to a dog, it did not change her mind.  She believed that Jesus not only had the power, he had the heart to help her.

When I crossed that yard, I did not find my baby’s body at the bottom of the drop-off. I shouted, and searched and cried and finally she was found by a friend 2 stories up at a neighbor’s house eating cookies. I didn’t know whether to spank her or hug her. I settled on hug her now, and spank her every time she touched the door! My prayers were heard and my life went mostly back to normal. Moments like that though leave me wondering. Do I have enough faith?  If the unthinkable had happened, if in a moment of inattention we had inadvertently allowed our child to die, could I have gone on trusting in the goodness, the compassion of God?

In our moments of terror, we can know two things. God has the power. He urges us to persistence in our prayers. He compares himself to a loving Father ready to give good gifts not cruel tricks to His children (Matthew 7:8-12).  He has the power to solve the problem. God also has the compassion. Even when we are turned down, when our worst nightmares come true, we can choose to believe, like this Gentile woman, in our Savior’s heart. We can know that the Savior, who wept at the tomb of His friend, is ever moved by compassion* (John 11).  He hates death even more than we do; he loves our children even more than we do, and he is moved with compassion when we’re scared, when we’re desperate and when our hearts are broken.

*In the following verses we can see a sample of the times that the gospel writers attribute some action of Jesus to him feeling compassion:  Matthew 9:36,14:14,15:32, Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13

By Helene @ http://www.maidservantsofchrist.com

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), Copyright(c) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

 

WHEN GOD SAYS NO!!

Aug7

Recently while teaching a 1st and 2nd grade Bible class we were discussing a parable dealing with prayer.  To help the children understand the different ways God might answer our requests, we discussed how parents respond when the children would ask them for something they wanted.  Not surprising the children answered that their parents would say;  “ yes, maybe, or I’ll think about it.”  One young girl spoke up and said;  “She usually (meaning mom) says NO!”  At this point she began a very dramatic description of exactly how she felt upon receiving a no answer.  She said; “Well when mom says no, you just have to deal with it!”  She then placed her hand over her heart and with great flare explained;  “and then you have to feeeel the pain!!”  The desire to burst into gales of laughter was very present yet, this little girl without realizing it had come to some understanding that will serve her well as she learns to possess self-control in her life.

Upon further research the children gave me three reasons why they felt their parents sometimes said no to their requests.  First, there was the recognition that their parents were “the boss” of the family. Dad or Mom had the final say in all matters at home.  Second, one child was told that they “didn’t need” what they were asking for.  The third reason was that the parents felt it wouldn’t be good for them.  Wow, in this little group of 8 year olds there was a lot of very useful wisdom for us to reflect upon as adults.  Let’s think about these answers in light of God’s word.

WHO IS  IN CHARGE OF YOU?

In Jeremiah 55:8 the Scripture reveals to us that we have a heavenly Father whose knowledge and ways are far beyond anything we can ever attain.  Because of His infinite wisdom and power He clearly must be recognized as  “The Boss” of our lives.  Earthly parents have lived many more years and have an understanding of life that is far beyond the young mind of their children.  God wants earthly children to obey their parents and respect their authority over decisions (Colossians 3:20).  Likewise, as adult children of God there will be times when God says NO to something we really believe will be good for our lives.  When we are tempted to go against His will and reject His answer because it brings some degree of suffering into our lives,  remember these words from Jeremiah:  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways. And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Just as we desire children to trust and obey their parents, so also our God expects the same respect and obedience from us. The Creator is without question superior in every way to that which is created!

DO I REALLY NEED WHAT I’M WANTING?

Materialism is a huge problem in our country.  I was taught a principle concerning stewardship of money early in my life.  “Never buy what you don’t need simply because it’s cheap!”  (Thomas Jefferson).  As we go shopping many of us have a pre-written list but do we stick to it?  Do we find ourselves being lured like sheep to something “cute” or “on sale”?  Why not pray before making an unnecessary purchase.  Ask the Lord to give you the will power to resist the temptation to buy things you really don’t need simply because you can.  This is especially important if you are tempted to over use credit cards.  Instead, ask God first.  Remember our heavenly Father has promised to supply all we need in this life both physically and spiritually if we seek Him first and use the resources He has given us in a wise way.   Let’s not act like children who stomp and fuss when they don’t get what they want.   Jesus stated in Matthew 6:32-33: “…for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things (necessities).  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

PERHAPS GOD HAS SOMETHING BETTER IN MIND

Have you ever wondered why the Lord did not grant Paul’s request to remove the thorn in his flesh?  Certainly he was a man worthy of receiving great blessings from God. Our heavenly Father blessed Him beyond measure but said NO to this heartfelt request.    Why?  Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:7 saying: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.”    Paul recognized that God was working in him the type of character that would withstand the challenges of his ministry and allow him to finish his race strong in the power of the Lord.  This was an assurance for Paul that not only was God with him, but that God was answering his prayer in a way that would best benefit his spiritual need.  Success in life and the blessings that come with wealth and fame are difficult to manage and often lead to a path of destruction for a Christian.  Only our heavenly Father knows for what we can handle.  His desire for us is growth in faith so we can prevent stumbling into sinful behavior.  There are things in this life that although not wrong or harmful for others, may not be good for us.  It is a wise child of God who can accept a NO when God has deemed it ultimately unprofitable.

JESUS PRAYED FOR GOD’S WILL TO BE DONE

In the oft quoted “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:9-13 our Lord makes a remarkable statement.  “…Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (vs. 10).  In reading this verse I am struck with the example of Jesus who prayed to God that His will be done above all else.  Have you ever thought what heaven must be like?  Well it is a place where God’s will is done always!  If this is the place we dream of, the place we are seeking to be for an eternity, then we must admit that doing God’s will must be a pretty awesome thing as heaven is perfect in every way.
Hopefully my little Bible class students will have parents who make good decisions concerning their requests but as humans this sometimes doesn’t happen.  Our heavenly Father however, is able to do “…exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”   Regardless of whether God says yes, no, or wait.  Let’s trust in His perfect understanding of us and the belief that He wants the ultimate best for us always!

–Laura Dayton