You've said it. You know you have.
Someone is having a bad day or posts something terrible on Facebook that they are experiencing. You respond with, "I'll pray for you." because clicking the Like button doesn't seem right.
I once saw a cartoon of a gal quickly saying, "Lord, please be with Meredith." Next screen, the gal walks towards Meredith and says, "I've been praying for you!"
Oh - I've never done THAT! Could we be any lower than to promise prayer that isn't delivered? Well.. sure we could! I think it's often 'the thought that counts! I also think, however, that we're better than that.
What does it mean to pray for someone? What should we say? What happens on God's side once we do?
I once used a metaphor of a giant rope or tornado (from this Kansas gal) of prayer that swirls around and gains strength. The more prayers that are added on behalf of a person or situation - even country - the more significant of message it is able to send to God. God hears all of our prayers, but I think numbers help.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according
to his will, he hears us." 1 John 5:14
I'm not over-confident about these things, but I feel God has led me to understand that praying for others gives strength and power to the situation as well. The tornado has an energy. Therefore, in an honest moment, I simply say, "Lord, I'm lifting up this person. Please take them into your care for your will." If I have specifics to add, I certainly do that -- even the little stuff like passing a test or buying a car. God wants us to be specific. I then imagine adding my energy to their tornado. I've even felt at times as I've I'm the one getting it going. For some friends, however, I know I'm just adding to the masses of prayers already lifted up... and that feels pretty great.
How it works from there? 'God only knows!' Does He consider our prayers in his decision-making? Has the path already been laid out and our prayers give the family the grace to survive the ordeal? I just don't know and can find some relief that I don't. I do know that I have prayed ardently, on my knees, for blessings and they have come. The wonder of God's grace is that my prayers were answered -- not in the way I thought they would be -- but always much, much better than I could have imagined.
And then it doesn't work as we expect. Make no mistake that those moments suck the breath right out of you. Understanding will not come... for now. I know who's holding on the tightest to me or my loved ones at that time. My prayer at that time is for the peace that passes understanding.
Lately I've been reading and considering "The Prayer of Jabez";
"Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be
with me, and that You would keep evil from me, that I may not cause pain!" (1 Chronicles 4:9-10.)
No easy thing to ask for blessings for yourself and to enlarge your territory! My favorite line in the play "Lil' Abner" would remind me that "my horizons are wide enough!" And yet, isn't this God's plan? Doesn't He expect us to want more assignments as we get better at our job?
Stay with me here -- I'm getting to a point.
What if we combined the two? What power of grace would we be tapping into if we prayed genuinely for others with true grace and conviction while also praying the Prayer of Jabez for ourselves? God just whispered in my ear that we'd tap into "Just what I want you to." (I love it when He does this!) Dr. Wilkinson, the author of "The Prayer of Jabez; Breaking Through to the Blessed Life" reminds us again and again that there is a storehouse of grace just waiting to be broken into. We only need to ask.
Wait just a second. My parents taught me not to be greedy. How about you?
I think this 'asking' is on a different plane. It's an acknowledgement to God. It's a key to the door. It's telling Him, "I'm on your side and am wearing the jersey. I'd like to reap the benefits of being on the winning team." We are still asked to do more and more for his glory!! He must, however, equip us with the skills and, yes, perhaps even 'riches' in order to accomplish the task! Haven't you ever thought that you would be able to more mission work or give more to the poor and needy if only you had a bit more in your pocket-book at the end of the month? Perhaps I'm reaching here ... and, believe me, my pocket-book is pretty thin -- but I get the feeling that He's waiting to catch our attention. He's waiting for us to "get it". Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Mind b l o w n.
Head back to Jabez. "Oh that you would bless me indeed." This from a guy who was a disappointment to his mother from the start. If Jabez knows to ask... why don't we?
Here's what I'm thinking. I'm going to make a list of my family, friends, co-workers, etc. For at least two weeks, if not much more, I'm going to text the next person on the list and let them know I'm praying for them. "No thanks required but if there's something special I can pray for you, just let me know." I'm also going to pray the Prayer of Jabez. I'm going to find that quiet place (usually in my car) and open my heart and mind to Jesus and PRAY. In Philip Yancey's book, "Prayer; Does It Make Any Difference?", he reminds us to keep it short and to the point. No need to flower it up. Just give it from the heart.
Let's see what happens.
Keep in mind, I'm not expecting anything tangible to show up at my door. I am hoping for understanding and insight. These are the gifts I long for and pray to be given. I'm certainly not testing God -- that's definitely NOT a good idea. I'm just trying to follow the advice that keeps landing in my lap. Prayer is the access to the source. It is the tool. Use it.
How about you? Feeling brave? Want to join me? Let me know if you do!
In the meantime... I'll be praying for you!
