Changing God's Mind

Have you ever been in a situation that you didn't want to be in? It could be a class you didn't want to take, a friendship you don't want to have, a job you don't want to do. The urge is to get out of it, to run away, to make your excuses and bow out. Today's philosophy dictates that you need to be happy in what you do, that it must bring joy, but joy doesn't come from what we do but who we are.

Unfortunately many of us allow the philosophies and principles of this world to influence us instead of the guidance of the Spirit and the Word. If we understood the Word we would understand that sometimes our Father brings us through things for the purpose of other people. In other words, it's not always about us. When we don't understand this we can sometimes find ourselves praying against the will of our Father. Because we are looking at things from our self-centered perspective we fail to see with God's eyes and it pits us against God.

I am sure that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a great mom but sometimes she did not see with God's eyes. Sometimes she could only see the immediate and was not able to see the bigger picture. While attending a wedding feast Mary saw that the groom was in trouble. Perhaps this was a relative or close family friend but regardless, the wine had run out and now the groom was in an embarrassing situation. Mary knew that Jesus could do something about this. How she knew he could resolve this isn't clear but she knew and turned to Jesus.

Mary did not know the big picture. She knew Jesus was destined to be used in a great way but she had no idea how great or the cost of it. She only knew what was going on in this moment and Jesus had to respond:

 “Mother, my time hasn’t yet come: You must not tell me what to do.” (John 2:4)

Jesus knew it was not yet time for events like this. It was not yet time for people to see the power of God through him. But the amazing thing is that Mary insisted and Jesus answered. He did it in such a way that only a few people knew what he did so he didn't go against the plan. There are a few amazing things that come out of this incident.

First, Mary did not look for a solution within herself or come up with some elaborate scheme to finance the need. She turned to God. She turned to the one source she knew could handle this situation. This is something most of us have yet to learn. Crisis after crisis we try to find our own solution and it is only in desperation that we turn to God. He should be our first choice.

Second, after receiving a response of no, Mary persisted. This is in line with what Jesus taught concerning the persistent widow with the judge. Mary continued in her expectations that Jesus would do something, telling the servants to follow his instructions. Even though it did not fall into the plan, Jesus, out of compassion, acted in such a way as to meet the need without interfering with the plan. Our God is a God of compassion and we must always make room and prepare for his response.

Third, this had nothing to do with Mary or any great soul saving enterprise. This was a request from Mary on behalf of someone who was in an embarrassing situation. Mary was thinking of someone else not herself in a social situation. We can't afford to define what God will or will not do. We need to respond to the needs around us by petitioning God and expecting him to respond out of his compassionate heart.

It is important to see things with God's eyes, to see the big picture but we must not limit God's actions according to what we think. God's compassion is great and when we ask in faith our Father is moved to respond. We need to be persistent in our prayers, believing, trusting that God will respond out of his great compassion. Who am I to decide what God will respond to and what he will deny? A lot more people may see the power, might, love and compassion of God if his children would just pray.

We also need to understand that sometimes God places us in awkward and difficult situations for the sake of other people. It isn't about us. We are servants and our eyes should constantly be open to the situations around us so that we can intercede on behalf of these people. We aren't very good servants when it is all about us. "Watch and pray" should be our motto as we trust the compassion, mercy and grace of our God for the sake of others. And we hope that the result will be the same result of the wedding miracle:

This was Jesus' first miracle, and he did it in the village of Cana in Galilee. There Jesus showed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. (v. 11)

Fitting In Prayer

Five minute prayers. That's all most of us can afford. We fit it in between the alarm clock and shower. Or perhaps it is in the shower as we try to think through our day. Maybe it's in the bus on the way to school or work. Perhaps it is while we sit in the doctor's waiting room or just before we slip into sleep. Usually a few words: "God help me", "Lord give me strength", "Jesus bless them". There is nothing wrong with this but do we really think these are relationship building or powerful moments of petition?

Let's be honest, many of us have lost the understanding of what it is to pray with purpose. Many of us do not know that these are the greatest moments of our lives, well worth getting up early or delaying going to bed. These are moments when God releases his power through us, to see great things happen in this world and in the lives of others. It is in prayer that we become the true warriors of God. Apostle Paul gave this charge:

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4)

Being watchful so we know what to pray for in other people's lives and in this world. Being thankful that we are always praying in a right heart condition. Devoted to prayer. When you are devoted to something you give it priority or you soon lose your devotion. A husband who is not devoted to his wife, not making her the priority in his life, will soon lose her. When we are devoted to something we give ourselves to it. Does that describe our attitude or approach to prayer? Are we devoted prayer warriors?

Being devoted to prayer is not a "fitting it in" but having a plan and purpose. It is having a time when you shut out everything else and allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the presence of God, presenting the needs of others to him. It is when we join with him in battling for the souls of those we have encountered. It is praying strength for a brother or sister who is involved something where they need the strength of the Lord to make it through. It is in these moments that we are overwhelmed by the love and compassion of our God, where we often receive instruction and when we are empowered to do his will.

It is also out of these moments that we emerge as empowered prayer warriors who continue to pray without ceasing. We become so sensitive to the Spirit that we hear his prompting to pray for the hidden needs of the people we encounter. We are given words of knowledge to speak into their lives. We become his presence in their lives as he empowers us to act in their lives without needing to ask questions. It is when he reveals to them that he not only knows their situation but he cares as well. That doesn't happen when we are "fitting in" moments of prayer.

We are a people of purpose and power. We carry the Light of God to this world and it all ignites in us in prayer. We have to give it priority. We have to approach it with purpose. We have to give it time in our day. We have to realize what is happening in this time. We have to realize that after Paul told us to put our spiritual armour on every day he gave this charge:

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)

Prayer defies description. It is a time of intimacy with our King. It is a time of power releasing and a time of empowerment. It is like a battering ram against the enemy's forces. Without it nothing will be accomplished;  with it all things are possible because of the One who strengthens us. We need to be devoted to prayer, watchful and thankful. Come on mighty warriors, let's get in the battle.

The True Weapon Of God's Warrior

If you want to know how healthy your relationship is with Jesus look to your attitude toward prayer. We talk a lot about prayer. We teach a lot about prayer. We think a lot about prayer. But do we pray? And when we pray, what is our attitude? Are we engaged? Connected? In actual conversation? Or is it simply a thought we throw out there in the hopes that something will come of it?

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Does that describe your prayers, powerful and effective?

For the last couple of days I have been blogging on being equipped as warriors and about standing your ground for Jesus. All of that comes down to prayer. Prayer is the weapon that has been given to us in this warfare, but it is more than a weapon. Prayer is what allows everything to flow between us and Jesus. I don't fully understand why God ties his will to our prayers but if we are sensitive to the Spirit, he will tell us what to pray so that his power will be released and his will will be done. That is how important prayer is.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)

On all occasions  In another place we are told to pray without ceasing. That means our relationship with Jesus is such that we are in conversation with him all day long. Prayer is not reserved for a certain time of the day or in a certain place. Prayer is an attitude, a state of mind, where we are engaged in the affairs of the Kingdom all day long.

With all kinds of prayers and requests. Jesus is not a rescuer who we run to every time we are in trouble. He is that but so much more. He is the lover of our soul, who we share every intimate moment of our day with. We include him in our triumphs, celebrations, defeats, desires, longings. But it is far more than just us. We also intercede for other people throughout the day.

Keep on praying for all the saints. It is terrible stuff that has been happening in Israel and Gaza. Of course, as Christians, we cover Israel in prayer but what about Gaza? You do realize the Church is there to, don't you? There are Christians there, struggling to represents Jesus in a sea of persecution and opposition  Have you interceded on their behalf?

It is more than that. We are told to be alert, pay attention, look around you and see what is going on. Did you notice how red and swollen the bus driver's eyes were this morning? Was that from crying? Did you take a moment to intercede for her? Did you notice how agitated the Math teacher was? Did you intercede? Did your friend just tell you that his uncle has cancer? Did you pray?

We are warriors. This is part of our equipment. This is our weapon. This is how we stand. This is how we fight. This is how we cover those in our lives. We can talk about it all we want but nothing comes of it unless we do it. We need to get together to pray in accord with the Holy Spirit and each other. We need to pray as individuals, prompted by the Spirit. We need to pray as we sit on the bus, We need to pray in class, in the office, on the park bench. On all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Let's get back to basics. Pray, mighty warrior, pray!