The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Past Finding Out"
"We know not what to pray for as we ought" (Romans 8:26).
We really don't, do we, at least in the sense of the myriad measure of details God's answers to every prayer involve. Of such universal and intricate working, the Apostle Paul declared, "His ways are past finding out" (Romans 11:33).
Perhaps we become aware that a fellow believer, George, experiences a particular earthly need. We pray accordingly, as we should (I Timothy 2:1). "Heavenly Father, provide this, or that, for George." Perhaps God answers soon and in precise accordance with our request. Or perhaps He seems not to do so. Whatever the case, far more is involved than merely a need and a provision. The God who works all things for George's good either administered or allowed our brother's challenge for purposes far beyond what we see and know. Indeed, every specific prayer our Heavenly Father answers must align with "the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11). Perfect coordination of literally trillions of details must all ultimately align with precisely how God's answers every individual prayer. Even if this means we see the rapid and obvious response for which we hope, far more than we know occurs behind the scenes and beyond our view regarding every work of our Lord. Moreover, when we do not seem to see answers, it may be that He works in "ways past finding out."
Many years ago, I attended a meeting where prayer was offered for a fellow believer. The one praying offered a fine intercession, which included specific aspects of the need considered, and the final wise request for God to work according to His knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Almost immediately after the "Amen," an attendee of the meeting cried out, "Wait a minute, we forget to mention this detail about the matter!" Huh? Certainly, the concerned person's motivation may have been sincere. However, it was profoundly misguided. No need exists for our covering every detail as we pray because we cannot possibly know more than the merest modicum of all God must do to answer. While unintentional, it is the height of audacity for us to think He requires our prayers to cover every base of matters that transcend our understanding in "ways past finding out."
We pray about details we know in the awareness of how few we actually see and perceive. Most importantly, we seek to pray in accordance with the Bible's teaching regarding the God who "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11). Take a moment and consider the immeasurable vastness of our Lord's working in "all things." The contemplation stills the mind and the tongue as it confirms how true it is that we do not know what to pray for as we ought. I find this to be one of the most motivating prompts to pray as our Father calls us to prayerfully cooperate with Him by primarily asking Him to work according to what He knows and sees. We will mention details of which we are aware, and may often be on target with our requests. However, we will be keenly aware of how little we actually see of what needs to happen. Most importantly, we will ask our Father to work "according to His will" (I John 5:14). This places us in the proper attitude of humility, and of the glorious expectation that He will answer our prayers…
"Exceeding, abundantly above all we ask or think."
(Ephesians 3:20).
"God… doeth great things past finding out, yea, and wonders without number."
(Job 9:2:10)
Weekly Memory Verse
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(Hebrews 4:15)
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