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LCannon -> RE: Has anything caused you to change the way you pray? (4/19/2008 2:39:51 PM)
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"It's alluring to think our very situation too complex so we waste a good deal of time puzzling over God's Will. Frequently, our conscience[in corporation with His Will]is the answer." -E. Elliot-
In this context I always think of Daniel 9 where he prayed/fast/agonized about his and Israel's condition.
A Useless Thing
Ah, a novel idea! Of course it came from another source but can I appropriate it? The novelty is that prayer changes things. Prayer does not change things; we all know that but rarely admit it. It’s a sweet notion but prayer only changes our focus. Elisabeth Elliot said, "Sometimes obedience means the willingness to do the useless thing in order that God may do the great thing."
Our prayer is a “useless thing”.
Whoa! How does mouthing some words affect external circumstances never mind eternal ones? Probably I could save my breath and yearnings if not for the assurance in hope in the blood and victory of Jesus’ cross.
But obedience in a “useless thing”, a simple courtesy extended to martyrdom in His name will allow the eternal Jehovah to do the great thing. Not in ease or sympathy but in boldness and power; the power that raised the Messiah to resurrection life.
'All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!
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Num. 14:11-“And Jehovah huffed, “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe me, for all the signs which I have done among them? I will smite them with pestilence and destroy them and will make the nations greater and mightier than they.”
Then Moses pled to Jehovah, “But the nations will hear it; for from the midst you brought this people up and they will tell the inhabitants of this land that you, Jehovah, let your power be seen eye to eye and that your cloud stands over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. But if you destroy this people as one man, then the nations that have heard your fame will smirk, “Ha! Jehovah was not able to bring this people into the land that he had sworn unto them, he is impotent before them and they rotted in the wilderness.” Now, I beseech thee, let the power of the Lord be great, according to your word, “Jehovah is slow to anger and abundant in goodness, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but by no means dismissing the guilty . . .”
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of thy loving-kindness, and as thou has forgiven this people . . . even until now.”
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