PRAYERS AND PRAY--ERS

From cover to cover, the Bible includes prayers from the simplest entreaties to the most profound proclamations.    One sinner at the temple altar prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."  (Luke 18:13)  A father, who brought his child to Jesus for healing, prayed, "I believe, help Thou mine unbelief."  (Mark 9:24, KJV)  Abraham interceded on behalf of the city of Sodom.  (Gen. 18)  Moses interceded on behalf of the entire nation of Israelites on numerous occasions.  Solomon prayed his great prayer for understanding to judge the nation.  (I Kings 8:9).  He also prayed an exceptional prayer dedicating the completed temple. (I Kings 8)  The list of prayers and pray-ers goes on and on--Elijah, David, Daniel, the Church in the Book of Acts, Paul.....

The sinner above, who pleaded simply, but earnestly, "Be merciful to me, a sinner," Jesus said was justified. (Luke 18:14)  The father, who brought to Jesus his deaf and mute son for healing, and prayed, "Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief," was rewarded by Jesus as He cast out the spirit that possessed his son. (Mark 9:25-27 KJV)  Abraham literally negotiated with God to save Sodom if just ten righteous souls could be found in it.  While it is true the God destroyed Sodom since He didn't find ten righteous people, verse 33 of the 18th chapter of Genesis reads, "And the Lord went His way as soon as He had left communicating with Abraham." (KJV)  James, in his letter in the New Testament, said Abraham "was called the Friend of God." (James 2:23 KJV)  If you bother to look up that last scripture in James, I recommend highly that you read the last 8 verses of James 5 (verses 13-20).

I don't normally have such an array of scriptural references in one sharing with you.  However, if you are a child of God and love His Word, it won't be too much trouble to look the scriptures up.  If, for no other reason, you can check me out.  That's a good reason to take your Bible to worship services.  Make sure your pastor is preaching the Word.

The prayers above range from a simple sinner's prayer that led to his forgiveness of sin and to his salvation to the prayers of people who were communicating with God in a far grander way.  But the pray-ers were persons who had a personal relationship with God or who developed one because of their prayerss.  It is a marvelous thing what God has done by providing a way for us to talk to Him.

It isn't my intention to end this in a frivolous manner, but communicating with God as a friend of His reminds me of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks.  When asked what God's name was, his answer was, "That's easy.  His name is Andy.  Andy walks with me.  Andy talks with me.  Andy tells me I am His own."  That's reason enough for me to want to pray.  I, for sure, have plenty of other reasons, too.  You, for example.

A CHILD, BUT NOT CHILDISH

Nothing is more enjoyable to me than watching children play, grow and develop.  Nothing is more tiresome and detestable than watching adults thinking and acting childishly.  Paul said it well in I Cor. 13:11 (KJV), "When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

Jesus gave us an opposite viewpoint when asked by His disciples, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Matt. 18:1b (KJV)  He answered in verse three, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."  Using a child in the crowd as an example, Jesus continued in verse four, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Thank You, Father, for giving us such valuable lessons.

Grow up, then, as Christians, and don't continue to be childish.  But, never get over being completely dependent on God and totally trusting in Him.  Peter wrote in II Peter 3:18a, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  John penned in his gospel in John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God."  We need to constantly mature in our relationship with God and yet, never forget that we are His Children.

One of the greatest theologians of the twentieth century was Karl Barth.  Whether or not one agrees with him entirely is immaterial.  He was, none the less, a great Christian thinker, student and teacher.  A renowned minister of the gospel, Rev. Bryn MacPhail, recalled in one of his sermons an account of Dr. Barth visiting the University of Chicago.  At a press conference, one of the questions asked was, "Dr. Barth, what is the most profound truth you have learned in your studies?"  Without hesitation he replied, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

How wonderfully child-like, but not childish.

SHARING MY LIST

My last posting was entitled "New Year's Revolutions."  How are your revolutions going?  What real changes have you decided to make in your life or in the world around you where you have an impact?

The list I have made is surprisingly short.  Not that I have only a little that needs changing.  A very long list could be made of "revolutions" that I need to start.  But, the truth is, I accomplish more when I focus more specifically.

Lately, over the past few months, I have been studying and researching the prayer life of Jesus while He was on earth.  I am convinced that nothing will get more done than prayer, according to His teachings and examples.  So, the first item on my list of "revolutions" is a change in my prayer life.. Number two, is to share my study and research on the prayer life of Jesus with you, perhaps via this blog, a book (at least a booklet), or through personal example.  But, more on this later as the study goes.

Peter was with Jesus closely as one of the twelve and, even more so, as one of the inner circle of Peter, James and John.  Therefore, he was able to see the example Jesus left.  Yet, he was the biggest vacillator in the whole crowd, up and down, up and down.  After the coming of the Holy Spirit to give power and guidance, Peter wrote in I Peter 2:21b that Christ left "us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (KJV)  If Jesus left us an example that we should follow His steps, it follows then that we should leave for others an example of the life (and habits) that Jesus left.  His example of prayer is my greatest need for revolution in my life.

Father, You tore the vail into from top to bottom that I might come to the throne of grace boldly.  Help me to take full advantage of the means You provided to keep me in touch with You.

NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTIONS

Nope, it's not a misprint.  It's an intentional use of a similar word to hopefully accomplish a completely different concept.

My opinion of the majority of "so-called" resolutions for any given New Year is more of a list of "politically correct" ideals with no real resolve.  Real resolve brings about change.  Real repentance brings about change.  And, real change brings about differences.  Hence, the phrase, "New Year's Revolutions."

Lists of resolutions are never ending and, for the most part, are well meaning and express good intentions.  Such lists may include the usual "quit smoking," "stop drinking," "stop gambling," "eat healthier," "exercise regularly," "go to church," "be a better husband (wife, parent, child)," etc., etc.  But, unless these lists include a plan for fulfilling them with follow up and determination (personal resolve), there will be no change.

I recommend that each of us make our list of New Year's Revolutions that are backed up with a needed repentance for the areas of our lives that need change.  Then, follow up with a plan to accomplish the changes.  This usually includes accountability.  Our accountability is always to God, but it sometimes helps to partner with a like-minded friend.  Jesus talked about such an idea in Matthew 18:19.  He said, "Again, I tell you that if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (NIV)
This is real accountability that brings about real revolution.  The next verse, Matthew 18:20, teaches us that His will is necessarily involved, i.e., "in my name."

Let your list be within His will, not necessarily politically correct, but certainly scripturally and spiritually correct, and hopefully with the partnership of at least one friend (the church).  This may bring about your greatest revolution in your personal history.