Someone said, "I don't pray much because I believe God has already decided what will happen." His sincerity was unquestioned. He missed what the Holy Scripture teaches about the importance of prayer. Jesus Himself said, "Be always on the watch, and pray." (Luke 21:36, NIV) Yes, we must pray! Paul urges us to “Pray without ceasing!” By contrast to that apathetic Christian, the prayers of others reveal a mistaken understanding of God's vast power and wisdom. They have no assurance that He is sufficient for their needs. We must pray because in our prayers God's work is done and our lives are changed. Our prayer need not be desperate or fearful. God promises even to supply the faith to pray.
I have great convictions about the 'sovereignty' of God- that all things are governed and happen ultimately according to His purposes. Yet, I am equally convinced 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? This debate has occupied great minds for a long time, and I cannot resolve the differences in these few lines. My aim, in this CoffeeBreak is to encourage us to faith-filled and constant prayer that is focused on the sufficiency of Christ Jesus, the Lord.
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.
Yet we are not puppets dancing on the end of the Divine string! Joshua tells us to be responsible, to make the choices that allow the will of God to flourish in us and through us. He says, “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 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)
All things that happen do so under the knowing mind of God, within His permissive will. And still, He somehow grants us the ability to choose. Our choices that have consequences, good and bad. The Biblical principle is called ‘sowing and reaping.’ We harvest from the seeds we plant in our day to day decisions. Exactly how God’s control and our willing and significant choices blend is a challenge to be best theologians!
Are you praying bold prayers that are an expression of your faith in God? Good!
When you pray, are you fearful and pleading, because you mistakenly think that your passion is the key to receiving an answer to prayer? Then, I urge you to re-examine whether your faith is in God or in faith itself! Prayer that is submitted to the power and will of God is marked by confidence, and truly does change us and our world as we learn to agree with Him and bring ourselves into alignment with Him. 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, David
Copyright: 1993 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music
Services)
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