The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Prayer Works?"
I recently saw a bumper sticker that stated, "Prayer works."
Does it? Or rather, does prayer result in God's working? This more accurately states Biblical truth as we seek to offer our requests in accordance with Scripture and the Holy Spirit's leading.
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (I John 5:14).
True prayer involves deep humility as we seek the involvement and actions of God regarding matters that transcend our abilities. This includes the acknowledgment of our need for His guidance in making our requests "according to His will." Communion with an infinite, eternal God we cannot see, hear, or touch? How can we believe ourselves capable of such a wonder? We cannot, in and of ourselves. "Without Me, ye can do nothing" declared the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:5). Surely He included prayer in this stark declaration of our need. Indeed, we do well to pray much about our praying in the light of who God is and who we are. The disciples did so. "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). No wiser request has ever been offered in human history, nor is one forthcoming for all who seek to walk with God in genuine faith and faithfulness.
Recognizing that prayer requires the humility of "Without Me ye can do nothing" establishes the footing of heart and mind that leads us to effectually bow our knees before our Lord. As we ask God to do what only He can do with the attitude and awareness that even our asking requires His gracious guidance, we more likely "pray with the understanding" of what communion with our Heavenly Father actually involves (I Corinthians 14:15). Prayer works? We can say this, so long as we thereby mean it works by seeking God's working to do that which only He can do - including His leadership and enabling of our praying.
"O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me, let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles."
(Psalm 43:3)
Weekly Memory Verse
I am the Lord. I change not.
(Malachi 3:6)
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