I grew up in a rambling, pre-1860s farmhouse in rural southwestern Michigan. We had a “Michigan basement”,” “– unfinished dirt floors, walls made of fieldstone and rocks, crudely cemented together, exposed floorboards and joists from the ground floor providing a ceiling. A rickety wooden stairway ended in a small cemented landing. It was a haven for dust and cobwebs, and everything in the basement had a grimy film of dust mixed with the residue of an old oil-burning furnace. It was littered with “dead” things– a rusted-out bicycle frame from the 1940s; a long-forgotten set of rattan patio furniture with mildewed pads and broken wicker bits sticking out underneath; a broken rake; and, in one corner, what looked like the skeleton of a small rodent. There was an old cabinet, formerly with two doors, now standing with one door hanging askew, and the other one missing all but half a hinge piece. Inside were old Mason jars, rimmed with lime deposits, holding nails, screws, nuts and bolts, and other odds and ends, and more Mason jars holding home-canned tomatoes from a garden of unknown vintage. There was a single 40-watt incandescent light bulb screwed into an ancient ceramic socket and mounted on one of the overhead floorboards, which did little to diminish the general sense of gloom and decay. There were four small windows–but they had long ago succumbed to grime and dirt from inside and out. It was the stuff of childhood nightmares.
Last week, we had a tornado warning, and one of my friends from church spoke of taking her children to the basement to wait out the weather. It reminded me of my own mother, gathering my sister and I– sometimes pulling us from our beds– and taking us to shelter in the basement until a storm had passed. My father often worked the night shift, and so the job was left to Mom to herd us into the southwest corner of the basement, being sure to bring a blanket and a flashlight, and make sure we were wearing slippers or shoes. She also had an old portable AM/FM radio, so we could listen to the weather bulletins amidst the gloom and dust and damp of the basement.
And yet–
My memories of going to the basement during a storm are not memories that inspire terror or disgust. I never wanted to visit the basement any other time, but during a storm, it was our “safe” place. The winds and rain and hail might rage outside, but we were warm and snug (sometimes too warm!) in our little corner. And no matter how frightened my mom may have been, she always reassured us that we would be safe together in that place. And then, she would lead us in prayer. We prayed that Dad would be safe at work. We prayed for anyone who was in the path of the storm. We prayed that God would protect our house. We prayed for those who were on the road, and for those who would have to go out after the storm to fix electric lines or rescue others. And we thanked God for our basement!
Sometimes, God uses grubby basements to be our “safe” place. What otherwise may seem like a scary situation can become a cause for praise and celebration when we remember that God is with us!
I think of the prophet Jeremiah, who was arrested and thrown into a cistern–a place far worse than our basement– but God caused him to be rescued (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2038&version=NIV). He went from the mud-filled cistern to the palace of the King! And even though Jeremiah faced many other trials and griefs, Jeremiah was able to write: “
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:19-24 NIV)
And I think of Paul and Silas in prison in Philippi (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2016:16-34&version=ESV ). They sang and prayed after having been beaten and unfairly arrested. And they were trapped in the prison when an earthquake hit! But the end result was not only their vindication and freedom, but salvation for the Philippian jailor and his family!
There are seasons when we are forced to go to the basement–literally and figuratively. There are times when we must sit and wait in the dark and damp, uncertain of where the storm will hit or how long it will last. But often, in those basement moments, we find ourselves closer to God than when we climb mountains! God sits with us in the gloom. God has the power to turn our fear and uncertainty into praise and worship. And God will bring those memories of His comfort and strength back to us in other times of trouble.
We had a storm blow through the area the other night. We were under a tornado warning, and a couple of tornadoes did touch down several miles northeast of here. Long before the tornado warning was issued, the weather forecast predicted strong storms with the possibility of hail and/or tornadoes. But even without them, it was easy to sense that “something was in the air.” There was a quality of heaviness in the very air outside. And the sky was an unnatural greenish-gray color, even where it wasn’t dark with storm clouds.
In life, we often get warning signs of impending “storms”–physical symptoms that tell us there may be a problem like infection or disease that needs to be diagnosed; a tense atmosphere at work that suggests big changes may be coming; withdrawal of a family member that alerts us they may be struggling with emotional or mental issues. These “atmospheric disturbances” may be subtle at first. We may choose to ignore them, or dismiss their importance, until we find ourselves in the middle of the storm!
God calls on us to trust Him in any weather or circumstance. We can pray about even the slightest change in our “atmosphere,” whether at home, work, or even internally. And part of God’s wisdom is to send us warnings so that we can not only pray, but take proactive measures. We can reach out to family members, make an appointment with our doctor, be cautious about spending in the weeks and months ahead, seek out help and counseling, etc.
But sensing “atmospheric disturbances” is not all about seeking a remedy or avoiding struggles. Even with advanced warnings, some people last night were unable to avoid damage to their properties or loss of electricity from the storms. Several people were trapped in a shipping warehouse that was hit by one of the tornadoes. Thankfully, no one lost their life; still, it took hours to rescue them all, and some of them went home to no power. But what if– just what if– someone looking up at the sky, or feeling the heaviness in the air, prayed in that moment? What if they prayed for safety– not just for themselves, but for others who would be in the path of the storm? What if someone in that shipping warehouse made plans weeks ago for tornado drills and emergency plans to protect the workers, and made the call for everyone to shelter together?
There are hundreds of stories of dramatic rescues and miraculously saved lives after almost any weather emergency. But how many untold stories are lost in the simple prayers and small corrections that take place when God’s people respond to “atmospheric disturbances” with prayer and wisdom?
And when God chooses to allow storms to come into our lives, how many stories could be told of the presence of God to calm, not the storm, but our own fear of it? God knows, as we cannot, how big the storm will be, how long it will last, and what “damages” we will face. And His Grace is sufficient to give us everything we need to face them all. That doesn’t mean we won’t suffer– damage, loss, grief, frustration– these are part of our life in a fallen world. God won’t always remove these things from our life. But he will NEVER abandon us to face them alone.
Jesus Christ faced storms in His life. One of them came on the Sea of Gallilee, as Jesus was sleeping in the boat. (See Mark 4: 35-41) A storm came up, and the disciples were terrified. They woke Jesus up, and Jesus calmly rebuked the wind and the waves, and the storm stopped. We often focus on the fact of Jesus being able to control the wind and the waves. But one of the amazing things about this story is that Jesus was IN THE BOAT! His own life was in danger from the storm. The disciples were not alone. Jesus did not let them put out to sea and face the waves, while He was safe on shore.
And so, too, Jesus is WITH US in our storms. We don’t have to wake Him up, and He may not choose to give us a miracle, but He’s right there! He can be trusted, no matter what our circumstances, no matter what dangers or damages we have to face. He knows how the storm ends; He knows how our story ends; He knows when the sun will come out again, just like it did earlier this week, announcing that all will be well.
Words have weight– I’m not talking about thousand-page novels or multi-syllable legalese terms– some words simply weigh heavier on the mind and heart than others. Some everyday words spill out like dust motes carried on a light breeze. They hang suspended in midair, without any set purpose or destination, and finally settle, forgotten, until someone sweeps them away. Other words explode, sending shards and pellets at unwary targets. Some words thunder like falling rocks in an avalanche of guilt or anger or hatred. And some rare and precious words have the weight of a quilt or a hug, or an arm lifting you up when you are falling.
One of the amazing things about prayer is that as we pour out our words before the Savior, the weight of our words is lifted off our hearts and minds and given to him to carry– the weight of the guilt, the weight of worry, the weight of grief, the weight of anger, the weight of hurt. Not only does God take on the weight of our words (and our pain and guilt), but he makes sense of it all– maybe not instantly, or in the way we imagine– but he brings order and goodness out of our chaos and burden.
And those everyday words swirling around like dust fall into the light, where they shine like gold dust in His presence. When we bring everything to God, he transforms it; he transforms us.
Our words have weight in prayer. And our words to others have weight, as well. Today, I want to weigh my words carefully. Are my words burdening others, or helping them lift a load of care? If I had to carry the weight of my words– my criticisms and clever put-downs, my accusations and angry tantrums, my bragging and comparisons– would I be dragging them behind me with joy and pride? What if, instead, my words were filled with the weight of shared laughter, encouragement, hope, and compassion? What if my words held the weight of truth and kindness and peace?
I keep a prayer journal. Every day, I have a list of people, places, and issues that prompts me to pray. Of course, I can pray about other things, as well. I can praise God for the day’s blessings, the weather (or provision in spite of the weather); I can confess failings and ask for God’s forgiveness. I can lift up things that are not on “today’s” list. But the list reminds me of so many things– the blessings of family and friends; the richness and vastness of God’s power and sovereignty; His faithfulness over so many years…
In my journal, I also keep a “running tab” of God’s many answers to prayers. Some of the answers bring joy; some bring wonder; some even bring tears. I have prayed for several people battling cancer. Many have gone into remission, but most have eventually died. I prayed for people during COVID. Many recovered– some slowly, some miraculously– but many others died. I have prayed for “little” things, like finding my keys (YES!), or making a sales goal at the store (NO). And some prayers have yet to be answered–I don’t know why or when, but I trust God has heard them all, and that His will and His answers will come– in His good time.
Often, I will look at the front side of the journal page (requests and reminders), and some of the requests are a year or more old. Then, I turn to the back side and look for the answer. Sometimes, in my haste, I have neglected to write the answer, so I will add it, with a small prayer of thanks. Sometimes, I have forgotten the exact outcome. Sometimes, I am encouraged to keep praying for a clear answer or outcome for an ongoing situation. But I am amazed at the number of prayers I have prayed over a year’s time, and how God has provided answers, big and small.
It is sometimes easy to forget the answered prayers amidst the worries of daily life. We are more concerned with the next crisis or the immediate needs before us. But it is helpful to record God’s answers (even the “NOs”) as we receive them. When we “count our blessings,” we can often stand amazed at some of the ways that God has “moved in mysterious ways” to answer things we once thought impossible, or overwhelming in the moment. Looking back, we can sometimes see how, and even why God has allowed us to go through experiences that seemed strange or unwelcome. And we can be reminded that the same God who answered all those prayers is listening to our current requests (and praises!).
God DOES answer prayer. He IS faithful. And when we keep a record of it, it increases our faith for the moments when we are still waiting on His answers!
Do you pray fervently? Do you pray faithfully? I confess that sometimes I go through periods of fervent prayer, but it doesn’t always last. And, while my goal is to pray faithfully, I sometimes struggle with daily prayer seeming bland.
Thankfully, God does not demand constant fervor and faithfulness (though He does provide His Spirit to help us with both!) God wants us to come before Him exactly as we are; He KNOWS exactly what we are feeling, and He wants us to experience His presence THROUGH both the peaks and valleys. Experience has taught me that faithfulness in prayer can often lead to renewed fervor. Fervor and ardency can be influenced by our emotions. I pray most fervently when I feel needy, or when I am swept up in joy, or when I am surrounded by others who are riding a particular emotion. But I pray most faithfully when I choose to step out in spite of my emotions or circumstances.
Recently, I was reading in 2 Chronicles about “Good King Asa” of Judah. If you read chronologically through the Bible, you meet King Asa in 1 Kings (briefly in chapter 15), and again in 2 Chronicles (chapters 14-16) Both times, he is classified as a “good” king in Judah, one who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” He reigned for 41 years, and was a champion of reform. He was a fervent and devoted king throughout most of his reign, and was mourned upon his death. But sadly, King Asa ended his reign in rebellion against the God he had so staunchly served for most of his life.
God had blessed Asa with astonishing military victories and years of peace and prosperity. But after 36 years of faithful and fervent service, Asa seems to have turned his back on his faith. Another army threatened to invade Judah, and Asa, instead of turning to God as before, brokered a treaty with another local king for protection. He sent silver and gold from “the treasuries of the House of the Lord” to King Ben-Hadad of Aram for help in repelling the army of King Baasha of Israel (the northern kingdom of the Jews). He bribed Ben-Hadad to break his treaty with Israel, and together, they sacked the fortifications and caused Baasha to back off.
In spite of King Asa’s victory, the Lord sent a prophet to rebuke him. King Asa, who had sought the Lord throughout more than three decades of devoted service, became so angry that he had the prophet thrown in jail. He then began oppressing his own people! Three years later, Asa developed a severe disease in his feet. But instead of calling on God, he consulted only his own court physicians. He suffered for two more years before finally dying. This “Good” King, famous for his passionate pursuit of reform and devotion to God, ended his life embittered, angry, diseased, and despotic.
God still chose to use King Asa for good– Asa’s reforms were a key ingredient in keeping Judah from suffering the fate of neighboring Israel. Asa’s reign was marked by years of peace and prosperity. Many of the faithful Jews living in Israel moved to Judah, where Asa’s reforms meant that could worship freely and fully. In fact, there was such a revival that people took extreme vows to follow God whole-heartedly. What a shame that the leader who inspired such devotion would himself fall victim to greed, pride, and bitterness, and fail to truly experience the blessings he had helped bring about!
I pursue fervent prayer. I want to serve God whole-heartedly, and I want all the joy and peace of a close relationship with Him. But I also want to serve God faithfully, even when I don’t feel the passion I had last week or last month. Because I know that God is both Eternally Fervent and Eternally Faithful!
If you are going through a season where the feelings just aren’t as “strong” as they have been in the past; if you are tempted to coast on the strength of past victories; if you are wondering why your prayer life is flagging, or lacking in the zeal you once had– DON’T GIVE UP! Don’t let your story end up like Asa’s.
We are called to FINISH the race. And yes, we want to race to “win the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24). But remember that our strength comes from God, not our own desires.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
We don’t have to make a choice between fervor and faithfulness, but let’s not pursue one without the other. Let’s be fervent in the sprinting, and faithful in the long stretches. Let’s finish the race well!
My church is offering several fitness challenges this month. I’m working on two of them, walking, and “water.” Walking seems self-explanatory–the challenge is to walk more, with more focus, etc.. We get daily updates with great tips on walking safely, facts on the benefits of walking (as opposed to running or strength-training), and additional challenges for focus, finding a walking partner, and more. My job is largely sedentary, so even though I try to walk around somewhat at work, I enjoy the challenge of finding ways to get more steps/more time spent walking each day.
The “water” challenge seems a bit harder to explain. In fact, when I signed up, I got a message saying something like, “Congratulations! You signed up for the one fitness challenge that doesn’t involve fitness!” But I am finding the water challenge to be both physically and spiritually enriching. The challenge is to drink “enough” water. Seems easy, right? But it turns out that I haven’t been drinking enough water each day. And the effects are subtle, but dangerous– everything from dry skin to constipation; damage to the kidney and liver (who knew?), sluggishness and fatigue, weight gain, “brain fog,” irritability, muscle cramps, and more, https://steptohealth.com/consequences-drinking-little-water/#google_vignette Of course, all of these symptoms can be caused by other factors, but drinking more water can help alleviate many of them without medications or more extreme treatments. It IS possible to drink too MUCH water during the day, but most of us have the opposite problem. Why are we depriving ourselves of something so crucial to our health?
In my case, one of the leading reasons I wasn’t drinking enough water is that I simply wasn’t thirsty. I work indoors in a temperature-controlled environment. I don’t do heavy manual labor. I don’t work up a sweat. And it simply didn’t occur to me to drink at regular intervals. I would drink water or sugary drinks with meals, or when I “felt” thirsty, and when I developed diabetes, I cut out the sugary drinks– without replacing them with the same amount of water!
I have been challenged this month to drink eight ounces of water each hour for eight hours of my day– a total of 64 ounces, or a half-gallon! I make sure at least some of the water contains electrolytes, which help keep me from deficiencies in key minerals like potassium and magnesium (see more info here: https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-us/health/ask-professionals/in-expert-answers-on-Electrolytes/in-Electrolytes?questionid=9toqf9mo&type=condition&source=bing_expertqna_ac ) It may sound easy, but I have to remind myself to drink, even if I don’t feel thirsty; even if I’m “busy” with something else. At first, there were “uncomfortable” side effects– I had to use the restroom more often, for starters. And I didn’t feel the positive side effects right away. But over two weeks in, I’m seeing some real benefits. I still use the bathroom more frequently during the day, but less frequently at night! I wasn’t expecting that! And I’m developing a rhythm in my water intake that keeps me from feeling “empty” in the mid-afternoons, when I am tempted to snack, which has helped me lose a little weight–by drinking more! Combined with the walking challenge, I am finding myself with more energy and a brighter outlook, especially in the mornings.
So what does all this have to do with Pursuing Prayer?
Well, the Bible talks a lot about water– a LOT– and about thirst. Not just a thirst for water, but a spiritual “thirst.”
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. (Amos 8:11)
Just as we can fall into the bad habit of ignoring our body’s need for water, we can ignore our soul’s need for communion with God. We can neglect reading Scripture, or spending time in prayer and meditation, and it can lead to serious side effects.
I don’t always “feel” like praying. I don’t always have a natural “thirst” for reading the Bible (I fell asleep this morning reading in 1 Chronicles…) But when I DON’T take time to read or pray, I have even less “thirst” for it– even though my need is still as great or greater!
We can’t spend all our lives on our knees and ignoring our daily tasks. We can’t always carve out hours or days to spend in meditation and Bible study. There are seasons of life where we will remain “thirsty” for a while. But let’s be vigilant to create habits that help us stay both physically and spiritually healthy.
One of the ways we were challenged in the first week of the month was simply add one glass of water to our routine each day. Even if we weren’t drinking a lot of water, just one glass more would help. Let me offer a similar challenge to pray “one more prayer” each day. If you normally pray in the morning or evening, add a “prayer break” to your afternoon. Treat it just like a coffee break (or water break?!) Add a prayer of thanks as you pull in the drive after the work day or after a trip to the grocery store. Write out a prayer request and tape it to the bathroom mirror to remind you to lift up one extra prayer today.
Let’s get thirsty! After all, Jesus Himself is the “Living Water.” He will satisfy!
The other day, God answered a prayer I had been praying for about a month. I had lost a letter. Such a small thing, and yet it was priceless to me. It was old, yellowed, and crumbling. I was a letter from a law office, sent in 1933, informing my great-grandmother that her long-lost great-granduncle had died in California. He had not made a will, so his fortune was to be divided between any of his surviving relatives. The law office had found 36 such relatives, one of whom was Lila Green, for whom I am named. The “fortune” had been greatly reduced by the Great Depression– his stocks were worthless, and his properties greatly reduced in value. Still, the share that came to my great-grandparents allowed them to pay off debts, keep their farm, and even invest at a time when others were destitute.
I had intended to scan the letter and include it in a book I am writing about the lives, times, and families of my great-grandparents. But I had put it aside and misplaced it.
Such a dingy, yellowed, fragile letter– just a single sheet in an equally yellowed and fragile envelope with a three-cent stamp still clinging to one corner. I could not remember where I had placed it for “later.” I looked everywhere, or so I thought. And I had prayed that God would show me where it was. It seemed as though God might be telling me to “just let go” of the letter. That it wasn’t necessary for the book, and I was wasting my time looking for it. Still, it hurt to think that my great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother had preserved the letter, just to have me lose it when it could be useful again.
And then, my husband asked me to look for some paperwork to finish our taxes. Oh NO! Surely I could find important papers from the past year– I was pretty certain I knew where they would be. Still, I prayed that God would help me find them quickly. And I did! But as I was putting the financial papers away in the aftermath, I found a book bag behind the box of receipts and tax papers. It looked empty– no books inside– but it wasn’t. There, waiting patiently, was the letter, along with some other old papers I wanted to keep in my family history files!
I was so thrilled! I danced around, thanking God for His answer to my prayer. I was far more thrilled, in fact, over finding that letter, than I was about finding the tax papers!
But what about the “lost” people I encounter each day? When was the last time I put aside my other tasks and spent time “searching” for ways to share the gospel? How much time have I spent reaching out to “find” the hurting, the needy, the hopeless? Have I done more than just say a quick prayer, or shed a couple of tears? Have I even prayed consistently for weeks or even years?
Of course I pray for family members I know and love; for old friends and classmates who are struggling; even for people groups or nations where Christians are being persecuted, and the Gospel is being hindered. But that’s not the same.
This letter reminds me that there are people– many of whom “look” rather worn or worthless– people for whom Christ gave His life to save. People who need someone to listen, and offer hope. They need to be “found.” Even so, not all of them will accept the Gospel message. I can’t force them to see God for who He really is; I can’t make them choose to follow Christ. But I can do a better job of letting them know how very much God loves them, and wants a relationship with them. Yes, even those who feel yellowed and used; even those who have been sitting, forgotten, lost in the shuffle.
15 1-3 By this time a lot of men and women of questionable reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story. 4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. 8-10 “Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”
Luke 15:1-10 (The Message)
I thank God that He helped me find the old letter. But I am eternally grateful that He seeks out and saves people like me, and like you. I pray that today, I will have eyes that see, and a heart that reaches out to the “lost.”
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Proverbs 15:8
I believe that God listens to prayer. I believe that God answers prayer. But do I really live in the certainty that God DELIGHTS in my prayers?
I think it is important to know that God doesn’t just listen to our prayers out of duty or because He is hoping to hear a particular phrase or request or “type” of prayer. God DELIGHTS in hearing from US! God is thrilled to hear our prayers– whether they are prayers of praise or prayers of agonizing distress, God WANTS to hear from us.
Some may look at the verse above and say, “God may delight in the prayers of perfect people, or people who are righteous, but I am a sinner. He won’t delight in my prayers. I’m not even sure He will listen to my prayers.”
But that’s not what the verse says. It doesn’t say that God only delights in the prayers of people who are perfect, because, let’s face it, NONE of us is perfect. And who is truly righteous, apart from God Himself? No, God delights in the prayers of the “upright.” So what does that mean in relation to you and me?
God looks at the heart. He sees beyond actions and circumstances. So when we pray, God knows our motives and our deepest thoughts. And if they are “upright”– focused on who God really is, who we really are, and how we relate to Him and how He relates to us–our prayers are a delight to Him. He isn’t asking for perfect people or perfect prayers. He’s asking for us to be transparently honest and humbly desirous when we come before Him. We don’t even have to be perfect in our theology or our faith. If we have the desire to be near to God, God is delighted to listen and respond!
That’s why He despises the sacrifices of the wicked. Their actions may look honest and humble, but their hearts are NOT. They may say all the “right” phrases to impress other people; they may do all the “right” actions to look devout. But God sees their pride, their refusal to give up secret sins, or to confess their true needs. They may want “something” from God– an answer, a blessing, a miracle– but on their terms. They don’t want a relationship, they just want a result.
And when God looks at us, what does He see? I can’t count the times I come to God as a complete “mess.” I’m falling apart, exhausted, at the end of my rope. But God sees ME. He looks beyond my appearance, my emotions, my limitations, my past. He sees my heart. He hears my need. And He hears the hope and trust that I can pour out my heart and He will listen in love, mercy, and compassion.
So does that make me “upright?” Maybe not in human understanding. If I look in the mirror, I may still see a messed-up failure. But God sees the finished product– what He can do for me, in me, and through me as I place my trust in him! By faith in the finished work of Christ, I am redeemed, and so, I am “upright.” God sees in me what I can’t see in myself– His Spirit at work; my future with Him; the full extent of His love.
This is how Jesus saw His disciples. When He looked at Peter, He didn’t just see Peter’s impulsiveness, his impending denials and abandonment. He saw Cephas, “The Rock”– He saw what Peter could become. What He looked at John “the Beloved” disciple, He didn’t see John’s youth or ambition, He saw a child of God who would suffer and stand firm in His faith. When He saw Judas, He didn’t just see one who would betray Him. In fact, at the Last Supper, Jesus shared bread and wine with Judas, and washed Judas’ feet! Jesus took delight in spending time with Judas! It was Judas who threw that all away to his own doom.
And the same is true for us. God sees the whole package. The “upright” are those who look up, and seek God with their whole being. If you come to God– if you seek Him and desire to find HIM and know HIM–God delights in you because He delights to shower you with love, compassion, discipline, wisdom, and blessings– in spite of your circumstances and limitations; in spite of the pain you may be feeling in the moment. God wants a relationship with you, not a “result” of outward perfection, or abject obedience. He wants an honest, joyful, even sometimes difficult and painful relationship. With YOU!
God delights to hear from us– our praises, our desperation, our hopes and dreams, and our deepest fears. God delights in His children. He delights in our prayers!
Have you ever prayed at a stoplight? I don’t mean the kind of prayer where you ask God to turn the light green “NOW” or ask Him to please keep the yellow light from turning red as you speed through it… Have you ever used the time waiting at the stoplight to pray? Or time spent waiting in line at the bank? Waiting to pick up your kids from school? Waiting at the copier for a batch-print? Waiting for your number to be called at the license bureau?
Time is a commodity– a precious gift. And too often, we lament that there “isn’t enough time” for prayer in our lives. We may lead busy lives, filled with activity. But how much time do we spend waiting for “something else,” or “someone else,” to show up or happen or finish happening?
Instead of growing frustrated in these times of waiting, why not utilize our time by praying? The Apostle Paul urged believers to “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.? (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Paul and Silas never waited at a stoplight for any of their mission trips, but I’m sure they experienced “down” time in many of their travels. And what better time to pray than when you are stuck on a ship (or a commuter train, bus, taxi, etc.) ?
Of course, I don’t recommend praying with your eyes closed as you drive, but you can still pray. You can pray as you drive, bike, hike, shop, sit, or eat! You can pray from the doctor’s office, or the laundromat– anywhere you have to wait. You can pray silently, or out loud (as long as you’re not interrupting others). You can pray about “small” things or deep concerns. You can pray for 5 seconds or 20 minutes. Just Pray!
Just a couple of tips to help make this a habit:
Keep a running prayer list on your phone or device– or on a simple notepad– somewhere handy when you are traveling.
Have a daily focus for prayer, so when you are stopped, you already have a topic in mind; one that can be picked up as a thread throughout the day. (For more help with this, see my page on “Prayer Points.”) For example, on Mondays, I pray for family and friends; if I’m stuck in traffic, I can pray for one (or two) of them. If I’m waiting longer, I can pray for a whole family! If I’ve already prayed in the morning for the whole family, I can think about friends with whom I’ve lost touch!
Use your “stoplight” moments for praise– think of one to three things for which you are thankful; or “pray” a short chorus or a verse you have memorized.
Practice 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and thank God for your current circumstances. Are you at the dentist, waiting to get your tooth filled? Thank God you have teeth, and the means to keep them healthy! Are you picking up your daughter from softball practice? Thank God for her ability and interest in sports!
You might be amazed at how many opportunities God gives throughout each day to spend time with Him in prayer– and how quickly all that time “flies” as you are “just waiting” around!
One of the prayer models I like to use often is based on the acronym ACTS. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. I like this model because it is well-rounded. It works like this:
ADORATION–I love to begin prayer by remembering and acknowledging God’s worth, His supremacy, His Holiness, and His majesty. It sharpens my focus on the WHO of prayer, rather than the WHAT of my worries or doubts. And it puts everything in the proper perspective. Sometimes, I come to God by praying a Hymn, or praying a Psalm, or remembering the many names of God.
CONFESSION–Confession is important in prayer, and since I want to concentrate on it, I’ll come back to this element below.
THANKSGIVING– Thanksgiving returns me to remembering what God has already done– for me, for others, throughout history, and just yesterday in my life. Instead of prayer being all about my needs, wants, or concerns, prayer should be an honest conversation with God. And that must include gratitude, because God is truly GOOD! If you ever doubt that, think about the first five minutes of your morning. If you awoke, you are alive (thank you, God!). If you heard your alarm, opened your eyes and saw anything, if you were lying on a bed, in a shelter with a roof, if you were able to sleep through the night without the terrors of war, slavery, starvation, torture, or chronic agonizing pain, you have much for which to be grateful. If you were able to get out of bed on your own, able to eat breakfast, get dressed, and you have a job to go to or a purpose to fulfill in this day, you are among the blessed. To withhold praise and thanksgiving is to miss one of the privileges of life.
SUPPLICATION–Yes, we bring requests to God. And He already knows what we need, what we desire, and what He has planned for us. So supplication is not about making God aware of our needs. But it is another act of acknowledging that God hears and responds to us. Because that’s the kind of God He IS! And because we have spent time Adoring, Confessing (to), and Thanking God, we know that we can present our requests without fear or doubt.
Most of us are fine with Adoring, Thanking, and Saying our requests, but Confession can be tricky– especially in our culture. What are the elements of Confession that trip us up? Mostly, I think, it’s a misunderstanding of what confession is (within the element of prayer) and what it is NOT.
Confession is defined as admitting to guilt, or to a crime or sin or wrongful act. But, even more basically, confession is an admission that we are not the ultimate authority over our lives or the lives of others. As such, we must confess before we can accept God’s atonement for our Sin. If we do not confess our need for God, we cannot accept, understand, or appreciate the depth and nature of His sacrificial Love for us. So when we pray, we must confess, not only God’s Glory in the heavens and the Earth, but His Sovereignty in our lives; His authority over our emotions, our thoughts, and our actions. King David gave us many great examples of confession in his Psalms– and they can be terrific models to use in our own prayers. (See Psalm 6, Psalm 32, Psalm 38, Psalm 51, and others.)
Confession in prayer is not primarily a list of our petty missteps– though we should be willing and able to name them, rather than denying what we’ve said and done–but a daily admission of God’s right to determine how we conduct our thoughts, our habits, our priorities, and our relationships, and acknowledging that God is Merciful, Gracious and Loving– beyond all our failures, mistakes, and even past rebellion. Confession shouldn’t focus so much on what we’ve done, as on how God is able to free us from guilt and shame, and how we intend to move on away from the past. We confess that our ways are not Holy, and in doing so, we underscore that God’s ways ARE Holy, perfect, wise, and good. God already knows our thoughts and actions, but WE need to be reminded of our goal– to run the good race (see Hebrews 12:1, and 1 Timothy 6:12) to follow Christ; to become more like God each day!
Confession is primary to the Christian Life– we confess that ONLY by the work of Jesus (the cross and resurrection) can we be reconciled to God. We cannot pray openly to God if we don’t believe–and confess– that this is true. God is not fooled by sweet talk or glib arguments. We cannot believe that Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection saved us if we don’t believe that it was necessary and good for Him to do so. And besides, confession is good for the soul!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
Confession has a negative reputation in many Christian circles, and it is misunderstood in others. Just listing our sins or admitting we did something wrong doesn’t have any value without the positive confession that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” (see John 14:6) In fact, a better definition of Christian confession is this– agreeing with God about who I am (a sinner/imperfect/unable to attain Holiness on my own), and who HE is (perfect/Holy/Sovereign/the One who Loves me absolutely)
When we pray today, I hope we will confess– positively, profoundly, willingly, and whole-heartedly. I hope we will humbly and honestly confess any actions or habits that are interfering with our Christian walk. And I hope we will joyfully confess that Jesus is LORD; that we are trusting in Him to guide us, intercede for us, and give us the power to live more abundantly in this life, and throughout eternity. What a great way to pray!
Pursuing Prayer 