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“‘You have done a foolish thing’, Samuel Said. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord Your God Gave You; if you had, He would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time‘”. 1 Samuel 13:13
“Therefore Jesus told them, ‘My time has not yet come…..'” John 7:6
“After Jesus said this, He looked to heaven and prayed, ‘Father the hour has come. Glorify Your Son that Your Son may glorify You.'”. John 17:1
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him..” Psalm 42:5
Patience is a…..virtue?, burden? overrated? obstacle? in short supply? (Note: “Patience is a virtue”; is not a quote from the bible, it is attributed to Cato the Elder)
Are we running out of patience? Is patience keeping us from action?
So let’s start; what is there to be patient about? There is a lot happening these days; what with, wars and pandemics, mass shootings, bombings, hate crimes, climate change and the list goes on. Especially, when these types of events impacted numerous people, it has been a mainstay to offer and exhort the offering of “thoughts and PRAYERS as a way of facilitating comfort and restoration.
Here’s why I want to ponder patience in connection with these happenings and offering of “thoughts and prayers”. It seems that recently, while there is still a very common and sincere desire to offer and exhort the offering of prayers for comfort, there is a, perhaps small but perhaps growing pushback concerning that sentiment, that “thoughts and prayers” have little to no value. Seemingly in some way, that praying is some cop out for not doing any real substantive, effective action. There seems to be a sense that we can’t afford to wait on some future response to some offered prayer, that may or may not match what we feel is the needed solution. What we need is action NOW! And if God is not going to act as we’d like, it then becomes up to us! Also, perhaps, out action is just as good as God’s!
Dear Sisters and Brothers, one of the greatest blessings of the Bible is the teaching it can give us about living. You see Saul had a pretty dire situation. There were enemy troops on Israel’s border and more were coming every day. As King, Saul felt responsible for the defense of Israel. Saul also felt that he needed to take immediate action to defeat the enemy. As more enemy troops arrived, Saul’s own troops were getting scared and less motivated to fight. There was one major problem. Saul was a king, appointed by the Will of God. As such, he wanted to honor God by sacrificing to Him before going into battle; to not have a sacrifice would be a grave blunder and put victory in certain jeopardy. Yet by law, God’s law, there were only a few, a priest or prophet who could appropriately offer sacrifices to God. Unfortunately there were none available to King Saul at the moment. He believed the Prophet Samuel was on his way, but time was wasting and the threat was growing. So Saul lost his patience with the delay. Saul felt that action, any action was warranted over doing what was right. Saul offered his own sacrifice which was just ending as Samuel arrived. It is said it is better to beg forgiveness versus waiting to ask permission. King Saul might disagree. Because of his impatience and subsequent rash action King Saul was advised by Samuel that the kingdom would be stripped from him; which it was indeed done later.
Now please understand, this is not a diatribe against action or even immediate action to relieve pain and suffering; far from it. It is a reflection on the possible discounting and devaluation of putting our Heavenly Father at the center of our actions even it there is time needed for discernment, versus taking what we believe to be equally valuable and effective human action sans prayers or thoughts of the Almighty.
Jesus Christ knew about timing and patience during His earthly ministry (and of course still does today). On several occasions the Gospels give accounts where mobs were going to either stone Him or throw Him off a cliff and they did not succeed. Not because Jesus would never die at the hands of men, but that the appointed time and circumstances for that death had not come. When the time came, a small, scared, weak mob was able to arrest, try, convict and kill Jesus. Jesus had the patience to put the Father’s plan first and patiently live into it. Thus Jesus Christ lives and lives at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty.
So what is it that you or someone you know is struggling with today? To you or them, this struggle may be as completely overwhelming and tragic as the most horrendous mass shooting or act of hatred. The world may be screaming at you to act and act now. Additionally the world may be warning you that to include prayers, to include time for calling out to and awaiting an answer is a fool’s errand and an extremely dangerous delay. The world may be proclaiming to you that either you yourself, or the world has all the plans and resources necessary to solve all your problems; you should look no further. If you are feeling tempted in that way; I encourage you to remember King Saul.
The Holy Spirit that resides in you is exhorting you to be like Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ prayed to God throughout His life here on earth. Even during the stress and despondency of Jesus’s time in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus reached out in prayer. And God always answered. Jesus Christ knew to be patient. Jesus Christ knew God’s plan, including timing is perfect. Jesus Christ was at peace in and because of His interaction with God. We can be too.
Let the world rail against prayer as a waste of time. Let us make it a priority to put prayer first, even when we act; having complete faith in the perfection of our Heavenly Father’s answer both in its solution and its timing. Patience in God is a virtue indeed.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we understand that we live in times where speed is a primary measure of effectiveness. The faster the better. Forgive us when we are tempted to apply that worldly standard to You and Your Plans. Forgive us when we are tempted to and actually go with our own actions, foregoing Your counsel, because we are impatient to wait upon You. Strengthen our spirit of patience in You that we might faithfully reach out to You in all things and be supplied with strength enough to wait for Your perfect reply. That being in peace and alignment with Your Plan and Will, we will live confident lives that bring praise to Your Holy Name. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
“He departed to the mountain to pray.” Mark 6:46
“He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples.” Mark 6:41
“…named Gethsemane and He said to His disciples, ‘Sit here
while I pray'”. Mark 14:32
The answer to the questions is absolutely, emphatically, with no smidgen of doubt, YES! So if you read no further I want to make it crystal clear what I believe is the correct and only answer to the question (though I hope you’ll read further).
Why even ask the question? I ask the question because; first, we’ve had another tragedy, another mass shooting in the United States. They are coming with an alarming frequency and perhaps because there seems to be no stopping them, I heard a new and disturbing discussion on a mainstream media news show. A tabloid newspaper was taking some leaders to task because the leaders were asking for prayers for the victims, families and city. The paper was making the comment that prayer was not enough. The news program went on to start a discussion with the question is prayer enough with an undertone that God can’t or won’t intervene so we’re left to our own devices.
In looking for an answer to the practice and sufficiency of prayer I found myself looking to Him, Jesus, who provides us with the perfect example for all things. Let’s start off with this mystery; Jesus was fully God, who had been with the Father and had an intimate relationship with and knowledge of the Father and His plan for salvation. Yet, and here’s the mystery, Jesus was fully man; he ate, slept, cried, laughed, could feel pain and Jesus prayed. Sometimes He prayed within hearing as an example to His disciples. Though sometimes Jesus went away alone, showing that He needed that intimate, solitary conversation with His Father. Jesus shows us just how vital prayer is to our successful existence here on earth.
Now, let’s see the outcome or aftermath of His prayer. After sending the crowd away and going to the mountain to pray, Jesus comes back and walks on water to His disciples! After Jesus looks to His Father in Heaven and blesses and breaks the loaves, those very few loaves feed 5, 000! After Jesus goes alone further into the garden, falls to His knees and agonizingly prayers to His Father for the strength to continue; for His Father’s Will to be done, Jesus is able to fulfill the Father’s plan for our salvation on the cross. Make no mistake prayer came first.
You see Dear Sisters and Brothers, that is why prayer is enough. True, open, humble communication with our Heavenly Father, in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ, gives us the direction to go, the wisdom to act and the strength and courage to go forth. By praying first and receiving the answer then faithfully acting on the answer, it sanctifies our actions allowing us to be faithfully confident in the direction we are going.
So in the case of tragic events that beset us and the world; what should we be praying for? Well, it would be somewhat pretentious on my part to tell anyone what to pray for; that is between you and Our Heavenly Father. But I will tell you for me, I pray for the comfort of those in mourning. I pray for healing and restoration for those remaining lives shattered. I pray for reaching out and connection for those troubled souls who believe that violent actions are the best means to their ends. I pray for protection for those brave souls who stand vigilant guard to protect us from evil. I pray for a turning to God for those who aren’t in a relationship with Him and a reaffirming of God’s supremacy and love for those who have that relationship. Finally, as I do with each post, I pray for you who are reading these words. I pray that you will find a blessing from God in the reading of this and humbly, through His Spirit these words might bring praise to His Name. So I end as I began: Is prayer enough? Absolutely, emphatically, without a smidgen of doubt: YES!
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we are so very thankful that You, the Creator, in Your Mercy, desire such a close relationship with we Your creation that we can come to You in prayer. Forgive us when we neglect that relationship and communication and attempt to go our own way. Bless our prayer life that we may experience the power and wisdom that comes from interacting prayerfully with You. Today we pray for the victims of the recent mass shooting, their families and community as well as the innocent victims of evil violence across this world. I pray for a blessing to all whom may be guided to these words; that You will bring peace and comfort to them. This we pray in the Name of the One who taught us through His example how to pray, Jesus Christ. Amen
“If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to your children who ask Him? Matthew 7:11
“…..yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” Luke 18:5
Prayer, the power of prayer, the need for prayer, the response to prayer; these are all things Jesus Christ taught about. Jesus not only taught about them but He practiced them as well. We see in His words, His thoughts, His deeds just how much we can learn from Him.
In the first instance above in Matthew; this portion of the lesson follows the very famous, oft quoted: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it will be opened to you. Jesus juxtaposes the limitations and evil intentions of those created to the perfect loving, without limitations, Father. If we, who are flawed, still want to do good by our own children when they ask or are in need, then why would we doubt that He who is perfect would do even better for His children?
In the next example cited in Luke; Jesus is also teaching about prayer. He starts out the lesson about praying continually and not losing heart. In His example, the widow is praying to a judge who is neither particularly wise or just. The scripture tells us that the judge fears neither God nor man. Normally the judge would have nothing to do with this poor widow and at first declines her request. Yet the widow keeps coming back and through her persistence, compels the judge to administer justice on her behalf. Jesus goes on to make the point that God will also definitely avenge those of His who are wronged. Jesus states that God has patience and mercy but will not be slow. Though Jesus Christ asks this final question: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”.
Two amazingly powerful lessons in and of themselves. But put these two lessons together and they become a life altering and faith affirming message. Because maybe it’s only me, I know that there is power in prayer, I know that I have read about and seen prayers answered in amazing ways. Yet I also know that I have found myself praying for something specific (maybe about this blog site or books that I’ve written) and how quickly I desire a response as well as how quickly, if I don’t feel the response is coming, I give up praying for it. In a way, I find myself answering my own prayer in how quickly I give up the idea of praying on its behalf.
Now do understand that this is not the same as receiving an answer that I just don’t agree with. The first lesson tells me whatever Our Heavenly Father responds with, is exactly what is best, what is perfect for me; no less has been provided and no more is needed. Yet the second lesson tells me that God is always listening; that God has His timing and that it is a faithful thing for me to do, to continue petition Him for those things I believe He has laid on my heart.
The enemy would try to convince us otherwise. The enemy would try to convince us that God does not listen to us; He is too busy, He is too uncaring, He is too judgemental to answer any request that we have. Second, Satan would have us believe, if at first a prayer seems unheard then don’t, don’t pray it again. Satan would have us believe that to pray for something a second time is actually an act of faithlessness instead of an act of faith.
So again, Jesus Christ gives us a life affirming message for us to live by. Our Father in Heaven wants us to have a relationship with Him where we will come to Him and ask; seek and knock. Our Father in Heaven does not find fault when we ask for something repeatedly, assuming we do so in the faith that Our Father will act in His time; that His will be done. The repeated prayer does a couple of things. First, it keeps us focused on what we believe God has put on our heart. Second, it reaffirms our faithful belief that God hears our prayers and will answer them. That is a lesson that can keep you and I centered on the right path, utilizing the right resource, relying on the real truth and living the better life.
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, we are thankful and awe inspired that You the Creator of all things would allow us to make and truly listen to the petitions we ask of You. Help us to have the faith to not fear to bring our heart’s desire to You. Thank you Father, that in Your Mercy, You are not angered by our repeated petitions and in fact find faith in those. Forgive us Father when we find ourselves doubting that You will even listen to us or believe we should give up if Your answer is not immediate. That in Your timing and Your answers we would be filled with thanksgiving and praise. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen
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