A person of immature understandings recently said, "I don't pray much because I believe God has already decided what will happen." She were sincere, but had missed much of what the Bible teaches us about how God works. An authority no less great than Jesus Christ told us, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”" (Luke 21:36, NIV) Yes, we must pray!
I hear other Christians talk about the Lord and listen to their prayers that reveal their terribly inadequate understanding of God's vast power and wisdom. They have no assurance that He is sufficient for their needs. We need to pray because in our prayers God's work is done and our lives are changed, but we need be desperate or afraid, for God is greater and even supplies us with the faith to pray.
A good pastor friend, who is of the Reformed persuasion, likes to remind me, good naturedly, of his convictions about the 'sovereignty' of God- that all things are governed and happen in the purposes of God. I remind him of human 'free will,' that our day to day decisions have real and lasting consequences, for which we will be held accountable. The Bible offers plenty of evidence that both ideas are true. How can that be since they seem to contradict each other? That is a debate that has occupied great minds for a long time, so I won't try to solve that riddle in these few lines.
My aim, in this TFTD is to encourage us to faith-filled and constant prayer that is focused on the sufficiency of Christ Jesus, the Lord.
Let me illustrate the tension of these ideas from a couple of representative passages of Scripture. In the book of Daniel, a king who has encountered the power of God says- I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He has the power to do as he pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth. No one can stop him or challenge him, saying, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’" (Daniel 4:34-35, NLT) That is wonderfully true! God does what He pleases because of His omniscience and omnipotence. That is a comforting thought and gives those who trust in Him great assurance.
By contrast, we read these words in the book of Joshua, Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness... serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,...we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15, NIV) James likewise cautions against blaming God or fate for choices that we make. "Remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires." (James 1:13-14, NLT)
Wayne Grudem, a well-respected theologian, writes I affirm that God causes all things that happen, but that he does so in such a way that he somehow upholds our ability to make willing, responsible choices choices that have real and eternal results and for which we are held accountable. Exactly how God combines his providential control with our willing and significant choices, Scripture does not explain to us. But rather than deny one aspect or the other (simply because we cannot explain how both can be true), we should accept both in an attempt to be faithful to the teaching of all of Scripture. (http://www.seegod.org/god.htm)
Are you praying bold prayers that are an expression of your faith in God? OR,
When you pray, are you fearful and pleading, because you mistakenly think that your passion is the key to receiving an answer to prayer?
We must pray, but not with 'faith in faith.' We must pray with faith in God.
Such prayer is marked by confidence, and truly does change us and our world. So, "since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16, NIV)
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Let Your Glory Fall
Father of creation,
Unfold Your sov'reign plan.
Raise up a chosen generation
That will march through the land.
All of creation is longing
For Your unveiling of pow'r.
Would You release Your anointing?
Oh God, let this be the hour.
Ruler of the nations,
The world has yet to see
The full release of Your promise,
The church in victory.
Turn to us, Lord, and touch us;
Make us strong in Your might.
Overcome our weakness,
That we could stand up and fight.
Let Your kingdom come,
Let Your will be done.
Let us see on earth,
The glory of Your Son.
Author: Ruis, DavidCopyright: 1993 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
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