January 12, 2007

• Sometimes I just hate praying.  I think it's because I always pray for these big, impossible things - and the more I pray about it, the more I'm convinced that it ought to be that way.  When I pray, I get so invested in a matter - being that the 'matter' is usually people - I want the best for them so badly, it kills me that there's no visible change.  So then I just give up and stop praying.  Obviously, not the best mode of action.

  Recently, I read again (Mk 6:4-6) how Jesus "could not do any miracles" in His hometown because of "their lack of faith."  If you flip that truth around, the implication is that if we have faith, He will do miracles.  Do you believe this?  Maybe just maybe I haven't seen very many miracles because of my own lack of faith.  Deep down, I have misgivings that He can do it -- and He knows it.  :/

  When Jesus sent the disciples out, He gave them authority.  They were able to preach and drive out demons and heal many who were sick.  In Ephesians, Paul's prayer implies that, as believers, we can have access to the same great power that rose Jesus from the dead.  In John 15, Jesus tells us that He is the vine and we are the branches, if we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit, but apart from Him, we can do nothing.  Furthermore, if we remain in Him and His words remain in us, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be given us.  Whatever we wish?

  In James 5, it is written:
       13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make them well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

  The prayer offered in faith will make them well.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  In the manner God answered Elijah, He will answer us as well -- because Elijah was just a human just like us.

  I want my prayers to be powerful and effective.  I want to help people get well.  I want to preach with authority.  I want miracles to happen!  ...  Anybody with me on this one?

  • 4:29 pm
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