Prayer can be considered the middle spoke of a unique circle of reasoning. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 says it is God's will for us to pray continually. Phillipians 4: 6-7 says that when we present our requests in prayer, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. So it reasons that since it is God's will that we pray, we then lift our requests to him, and then He grants us a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a peace in knowing that you are doing what God desires. It is a contentment of knowing you are in the center of God's will and plan for your life. For instance, imagine the idea that the job you have is exactly the job God wants you to have right now. Imagine the possibility that the spouse you have right now is the one you are meant to have. Imagine the town you are living in is the perfect location for what God plans for you right now. There is a great peace in accepting our current situations as the perfect conditions for God to begin a great work in us. The first step is realizing that we are right where He wants us at this particular time in life. And that place is continually moving forward, seeking His will, and lifting our requests to Him in fervent prayer.
Jesus tells a parable about the power of prayer in Luke 18: 1-8. In the story, an unjust judge that doesn't fear God or care about men is pestered by a widow woman to grant her justice against her enemy. He finally gives in and grants her request. Jesus points out that if an unbelieving judge will give justice, surely God will bring justice to his people who cry out to him day and night.
But then Jesus poses a major question at the end of the story. He asks, "However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (v. 8). When we pray, we must know that we are praying to the one and only God that can actually answer prayers. Only He knows exactly what we need at exactly the right time. Are we praying with the confidence that He really knows what He is doing? Are we submitting to the fact that His answer may not be the one we were expecting? Do the actions we take in preparation for the answer demonstrate real trust that the right answer will indeed come?
As we dive into The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson next week, we will be striving to develop partnerships of men dedicated to searching out ways to personalize this great example of prayer. It is our desire to implement the contents of this prayer into our lives and experience God in a big way to start off this new year. Please join us in truly seeking out God's peace and victory for 2003.
