How we pray and what we pray for has a massive impact on our lives. So often we pray for what we want. Maybe we want a new job. So we pray and pray “Please Please Please Lord, let me get this new position at work.” We pray fervently for what we want. We think we know what we want and need. We also ask for things we think we have to have, like new cars, new house, and new stuff. The problem is not necessarily that we don’t need those things; the problem is often with our own contentment. So we pray selfishly for the things we think we need, because we have convinced ourselves that what we have is not sufficient. Often we have what we need but not always what we want. Prayer becomes a completely acceptable way to get what we want. » Read more: The Horror of Getting What You Want
Archive for the ‘Prayer and Fasting’ category
The Horror of Getting What You Want
October 11th, 2009Victory Over My Mouth Begins with a Battle for My Mind
June 14th, 2009If you know me at all, you are probably aware of my tendency to talk. Sometimes I use this for good, but I often get myself into trouble. The Bible tells us that the tongue will cause us problems. James tells us that the tongue defileth the whole body! This is a scary prospect for me and one I must work on. I don’t want my tongue to be a poison. So for the chatty among us, getting this under control is vital to put this gift to good use.
While I’ve been meditating and studying what Scripture says about the tongue, I read the verse“a fool uttereth all His mind.” It is foolish to say everything we think. James tells us to put a bridle on our tongue. We need to control it. This is where I think my attention has broadened from simply my tongue to my mind as well. A fool often has foolish thoughts. Yes, it is foolish to say everything we think, yet what we think shapes what we say.
So I’ve been focusing on a few areas of my mind. One, I am trying to think with love. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love thinketh no evil. I am trying to conscientiously focus my thoughts on goodness of the evil of another person. This can be so hard to do sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard to think of something positive, yet love should override our thinking. I’ve been asking the Lord to show me the good in others and to make that my focus. Obviously, I would not want someone to focus on all my negatives (and there are plenty) so I should not be focusing my attention on someone else’s problems. Our Love for God and love for others is the basic commandment from Scripture. If I am acting in obedience to Christ, I will show love to my fellow man by thinking good.
Another action I am focusing on is renewing my mind. Romans 12 says we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It seems an impossible task, but it is not. We have a powerful gift in the Holy Spirit. When we are Spirit-filled, the transformation of our minds is possible. When our minds are transformed then our lives and actions are changed as well. It starts with our mind! We must ask for the Spirit’s help. Without His help how could I ever think the kinds of thoughts that would make for good conversation?
And so it becomes a battle. My spirit is willing and my flesh is weak. I want to focus my mind on things above but it is a struggle without the work of the Holy Spirit. Negative thoughts easily slip into my mind without any effort and replacing that negativity with positive thought takes a purposeful decision. It takes true love that comes from the Lord.
A prayer for today:
Lord, please change my thoughts to your thoughts and ways. Allow the Spirit to transform my thinking to Godly ideals. Will you protect my mind from negative thoughts about my family, friends and acquaintances and change them to hopeful positive thoughts. Help me to think on goodness of others.
Take the work of goodness You do in my mind and allow that to control my tongue. Let your thoughts and direction keep my mouth from harming the Body of Christ. Let your Spirit guide my mind and words to love. Let my words be used for good and not for evil.
Change my mind to hopeful thinking. Let my focus be on the grace and mercy You have shown in my own life.
Preparing my Heart for Easter: A modified Lent
February 25th, 2009Easter is almost here and I love it. I love color coordinating my family’s outfits and eating Easter candy. I think some of the candy during Easter is better than at Christmas. I cannot resist mini Cadbury Eggs. During this time of year I am generally making these preparations for Easter. These are not bad things, but they are also not important things. As evangelical Christians we celebrate the resurrection rather quickly. While I’m not saying that this a bad thing, many other denominations and religions take the next 40 days more seriously. For many, preparation for Easter is serious business. While I know that the customs, traditions, and generally legalistic means are of no use in earning God’s favor, a person who is focused on the life and crucifixion of Christ is doing a good thing.
The life Jesus lived and the death He suffered make the resurrection all the more glorious. He chose to live here, work here, and die on Earth because of his love for mankind. I know the stories, I know that it’s important, but the depth of God’s choice to love us this way deserves my meditation and focus.
Lent is a long standing tradition within Christianity. For some this is a time where they try to earn forgiveness of sins. These acts are necessary in their minds in order to earn God’s favor. This is not a Biblical idea. We do not need these acts in order to earn favor with God. However there is benefit in taking 40 days to focus on the Cross and what the death and resurrection of Christ really mean. Matthew 4:2 tells us that “when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” In some religions the act of fasting and feasting, almsgiving, and prayer are things that are works of righteousness. The works aren’t necessary, but a spirit given to meditating on the life of Christ is a good thing. In keeping with that principal, I’m trying to figure out how I’m going to focus on the passion of Christ until Easter.
One idea is to read through the Gospels during the 40 days. There is a schedule here. This is an idea I embrace and plan to do. I don’t know of any better way to focus on the Gospel than to actual read it. I hope others will consider this idea in their own lives.
Another traditional part of Lent is Almsgiving. In our current economy this might be a hard one for a lot of people. Joyful giving is something that flows from the heart. It is possible to give alms that are not simply money. Making dinner for someone less fortunate would be a way to help that would cost very little money. What about watching a child for a friend who cannot afford a sitter? You can volunteer at a soup kitchen, a gift of alms that costs nothing but time. Helping the poor should not be a once a year thing. I think this part of lent should be an integral part of our everyday life. It is part of loving others. Maybe this time of reflection would be a good time to put what we know we should be doing into practice.
Fasting is something I have done in the past, and will do again in the future. There are several passages in the Bible that deal with fasting and prayer. When the disciples as Christ why John the Baptist’s disciples were fasting they weren’t He answered them “Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” Fasting is a time where your heart is so full of prayer that you do not eat. It is a special time of fellowship with the Lord. I do not think it is absolutely necessary for a good prayer life. It is a spiritual discipline encouraged in Scripture and I believe there is great value in it. Regardless of your choice to fast or not, praying for your spiritual life is something that should be done. Too often we ask amiss because we give God a list of what we want. Prayer based on things we know the Lord wants for us will be answered. Those things would include, love for God and neighbor, the fruit of the Spirit, souls to be saved, grace and peace. The list goes on and on. Pray diligently for these things to prepare your heart for Easter.
While I understand some of the negative reaction many have toward the observation of Lent, I see merit in the focus on Christ. Surely works done simply because it’s “Lent” are worthless in the eyes of God if it is not an outflow of the heart. But just because these acts can be done with the wrong motivation by some is not a reason for the rest of us to turn our backs on the practice of purposeful study on Christ. Lots of people go to church every Sunday because its the “right” thing to do. I’m wondering if observing Lent is similar.
I hope that this Easter season I grow in my understanding and love for God. I plan to make Easter more than a one day focus.
A Testament to Fasting and Prayer
October 22nd, 2008
A couple of months ago, I shared some frustration in my life in my “Queen Cranky Pants” post. I regret to inform you that I remained fairly cranky off and on for the past couple of months. One big issue has been that of Daniel’s summer associate position (a paid summer internship) for next summer. Basically, he didn’t have one. Since the end of August, I have gone out to the mailbox dreading the rejection letters that would come, and come they did. I usually get the mail in the afternoon, so I would have to call him and say “ XYZ law firm doesn’t have a job for you”. This happened several times. This was not only depressing for him, but discouraging for me too. Seriously, who wants to be the bearer of bad news?
He has had several interviews but there just are not many jobs to be had. Two weeks ago on a Friday, he got the rejection of yet another large firm here in town. Needless to say we were very discouraged. There was a small glimmer of hope in that on Monday he had one final interview, one last chance to get a summer job here in our town. This was pretty much our last hope.
STRESS!
Time passed and today I went to the mailbox and saw a regular envelope from this last hope firm. I was sick. Offers generally come by phone. As I walked back into the house, I dreaded the call I would have to make to Daniel. I just did not want to give him more bad news. What do you know (ok, you’ve probably guess at this point)…he got the position! I literally jumped for joy and called him in disbelief. I could not believe that the last possible chance he had, was the one that worked out for him. I have been in a state of happiness ever since.
It occurred to me later on this evening that I had extra reason to be joyful. Of course, Daniel and I had prayed for God to provide a job. On this particular occasion though, we had fasted the day before his interview. We have done this more than once, and on this day we both felt compelled to do so, so we did. The more I thought about it, this was also the only job prospect we fasted over. We were both truly at our wits end. I had thought several times, “Why would God provide the opportunity of law school and then not provide the job to go with it?” In hindsight, I think we were resting too much on Daniel’s abilities, and not enough on God. I was kind of like the person James describes as double minded. I was praying and asking the Lord to help but trusting in human ability at the same time. James 1:5-8 says : If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Faith is sometimes fleeting when you are discouraged. I know this is the case for me. Yet faith, as we see in the James passage is a requirement of prayer. We must pray believing. This is where I believe fasting comes into the picture. In Matthew 17:20-22 Jesus tells us that “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting are ways we act on our faith.
Fasting and prayer are two things that are meant to be done together. Many of us pray, but when we fast our prayers are different. Not only are we acting in obedience to the Lord, but we are suffering a little physically for spiritual strength. What a blessing that is for us.
God does not always answer our prayers the way we want Him to, but many times He chooses to give us exactly what we ask. He chooses to answer our specific requests with specific answers, and that to me is amazing. God cares about me personally. He cares about you personally. He watches out for us, He hears us, He answers us, and when He does we should praise Him!
Deborah: God’s Choice for Leadership
July 14th, 2008There are times when the Lord chooses to use women in positions of leadership to accomplish His will.
We find Deborah in the days when judges ruled Israel. After the death of Joshua the people of Israel turn to wickedness. They worship false gods and turn their back on God and His commandments. Consequently the Lord gives the people to foreign lands and nations because of their sin “Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them… Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge.” ( Judges 2:11-16)We see the Lord work through the judges He chose to use to answer the prayers of His people.
In Judges 4 we see the oppressive enemy of Israel, Jabin of Canaan. During this period, Deborah was the judge in Israel. The Bible tells us that she was a prophetess and that she was married to a man named Lappidoth. It is interesting to me that the Bible does not tell us what her husband did, or if he had any part in ministry or politics at all. This was her specific calling and task. I have read and heard other people state that the reason God used Deborah was because there weren’t any good men. That theory just does not hold water for me. If the Lord specifically chose whom to lift up as the leader, He could have given power to a man. God chose Deborah because He wanted her for this task.
As the story progresses, she sends for Barak. She is aware of what God has called him to do, yet he is hesitant and fearful. After all, Jabin and Sisera were cruel and evil enemies, it was natural to fear them. However, Barak’s faith in God was weak, and he makes a deal with Deborah that he will obey God if she will go with him. I’m convicted when I read this. I think I could have been like Barak; even though the Lord’s command to him was clear “Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you at the river Kishon with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into your hand?” Even though the Lord had promised him victory he was still hesitant. It’s the same way for us today. The Lord has given us promises in His Word, and given us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Yet when His will is clear in our lives, we often let our flesh rule, and allow our fears to keep us from His plan.
Deborah agrees to go with Barak on the condition that Sisera will fall by the hand of a woman. So they go gather the 10,000 men and head to Mount Tabor. Here we see some more of Deborah’s personality coming through when she exclaims to Barak “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the LORD go out before you?” She was the motivation behind Barak’s follow-through. Even though I’m not a ruler of anything, motivating others to a task is a job women commonly participate in. I cannot go to school for my son, learn to read for him, do his homework, or play with his friends, but I can motivate him to get busy! As mothers we cannot do the work for our kids, but we can go with them, and help them along the way.
Of course the Lord kept His promise to Barak, “And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword…and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.” The Lord had the victory in this battle, and used Barak and Deborah to do His will.
What challenges are you facing today that seem overwhelming? Do you have an enemy who you feel is waiting to attack? If you are struggling with some pain or fear, look to the Lord for help. Read His Word, pray and live in His strength.
Maybe you are a Deborah, and you need to influence or motivate someone around you. When words of encouragement for someone are in your heart and mind, say them out loud. If the Lord has called you to encourage someone else in their task, do not fail to do His will.
Prayer and Praise
April 28th, 2008I have considered prayer constantly while Krista has been having problems. A verse on prayer came to mind “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The only way we can effectively bear one another’s burdens is with prayer. Sure, we can use our words to encourage, our hands to meet needs, our feet to visit, but without effective prayer and faith those actions mean very little.
There is great power when we pray. While I feel completely helpless to ease my sister’s burden, I can pray. You know what else; the power of the prayers of many is even greater. While there are several passages of Scripture which speak of the power of one man’s prayer doing great things, there are also great promises of the Lord hearing the prayers of many.
I think of Esther. When Esther was called upon by Mordecai to intreat the King for help, she asked all the Israelites to fast and pray. She was moved to have many pray to the Lord for help. Esther could have fasted and prayed on her own, but by the prayers of many she was effective. The Lord chose to use the prayers of all Israelites to show Himself great.
Another great example is Paul. In 2 Corinthians 1:10-12 Paul gives thanks to the people of Corinth: “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” It was God who saved Paul, but the prayers of the people were of great importance to their deliverance. Their prayers were mightily used of the Lord.
In Ephesians 6 Paul gives another command in regards to prayer, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” We are to pray for those around us. Not only for physical needs, but the spiritual as well. Our prayers minister to the body of Christ.
These are just a few examples of Paul’s requests for prayer. He speaks of prayer with great confidence; there is not a shred of disbelief in what he says. He believes that the Lord will hear and answer his prayer. Over and over again he speaks of prayer and its importance. Paul believed in the power of his prayers, and he desperately asked for the prayers of the Body of Christ.
The ultimate example of prayer comes from Christ. Even though He was fully God, he prayed while He was on Earth. He prayed alone to God and made his praise and petitions known to Him. He taught the disciples how to pray. He gave them examples of prayers the Lord wants to hear. He prayed with the disciples. In his darkest hour, he prayed in the Garden with his disciples. Yes, they failed him, but He brought them to the Garden with Him. Jesus sent the Spirit to help us through prayer. It is a powerful gift given to us by God.
Jesus encouraged us with his promise in Matthew 18, “if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” A unified petition amongst believers is blessed by the Father, and Jesus is in the midst of them. That is amazing to me.
While God already knows the outcome for Krista and her baby, our prayers matter greatly. In fact your prayers have blessed them already. Krista is going home today with a good prognosis. There is still some danger for her, but it seems far less serious now. I attribute this complete turn events to the prayers of many.
Thank you for bearing our burden and praying for Krista. Truly “the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much.”
Jellies and Prayer
April 24th, 2008My sister, Krista, is pregnant with her 1st child, we are so excited! Unfortunately this excitement is shadowed with fear because she is having some pre-term labor issues, which have included some bleeding. Her doctors have prescribed bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. Since she is stuck at home I have tried to call her more often to keep her company any way I can.
So at about 10:30 Tuesday night I called her to discuss the fashion emergency at Old Navy. They are bringing back Jellies for adults. Yes, it was an 80’s flashback that horrified me, so like any good girl; I called to warn my sister. The conversation went on through the mundane to pregnancy chatter. She brought up some scary dreams where she is bleeding. I tried to comfort her by relaying some of the crazy dreams throughout my pregnancies. All of a sudden Krista says “Oh no, not again! –David!” and she hangs up the phone. In a moment I went from a fun chat with my sister to sheer panic. I could not believe we were having a conversation about her problems and somehow the bad dreams had become a reality.
I felt the Spirit urging me to pray, and so I did. I prayed for the safety of my sister. I prayed for the safety of the baby. I prayed for them to have a spirit of peace, and then I felt like I was repeating myself a bunch, so I got out my Bible to read something from His Word. In my mind, I questioned my faith, was I believing that God would take care of my sister? So I asked the Lord to increase my faith and began to “pray believing”. Then I asked the Lord for wisdom. “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God”. I prayed for wisdom from the Lord to direct my words and prayer in the way He chose.
After a while I began to think I needed to go to sleep, but sleep was not coming easily. The Lord brought Psalm 4 to me, “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!” I desperately wanted the Lord to relieve Krista from her distress. Not only that, but I wanted the Lord to hear my prayers and relieve the distress of my own heart.
The last verse of Psalm 4 says: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” I cannot imagine the fear that David must have endured as he wrote this Psalm. Yet with confidence he goes to sleep knowing that the Lord will protect him. Last night I took comfort in the fact that the Lord would keep my sister and her baby in safety. My worry would not help her at all. I embraced the prayer of David and made this verse the prayer of my heart.
After a couple of hours passed, I finally heard from Krista letting me know that she and the baby were doing well. After the experience of last night, I want to praise the Lord for answering my prayers. I praise and thank Him for giving me the Words to say. He is our fortress in time of trouble. Even when we feel alone and burdened, His walls of protection are all around us. He has provided us with grace, His Word, and the gift of prayer for us. With all these things in mind, I went to bed and slept in peace.
If you think of my sister, please pray for her. While Krista and the baby are doing fine, she is still hospitalized because of the nature of her problems.
Prayer and Holiness
April 21st, 2008Recently the thought struck me that maybe the reason people don’t pray, or feel their prayers aren’t answered, is because they do not fully respect the Holiness of God. Failure to live in a fear of the Lord is a problem, and one that has plagued our nation’s churches in recent years. I often wonder if Jesus, in bodily form, was at a church what we would do differently. I wonder if people would come to church in sloppy clothes, be judgmental of others, or be filled with pride from all their “good works”. What people fail to realize is that He is there. While not everyone at church on Sunday is in communion with God, the Bible says that when two or three are gathered together, He is there. I think this is a truth which is often forgotten.
Maybe prayer is regarded the same way. We do not approach prayer with a mind fully conscious on the fact that we are speaking to a Holy, living God. While He loves us regardless, we cannot expect Him to simply over look a sinful, unrepentant life. We wonder why God won’t make something clear to us, or give us the joy only He can give. All the while, we forget to look at our own lives, and that maybe the reason prayer isn’t “working” is because we are not following His Word. We are responsible to follow the Lord’s Word in our lives. Because of this, I believe that one way we can have a richer prayer life is to live in the fear of the Lord and approach Him as the Holy God that He is. How we approach God matters.
