I Will Pray

'Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.' ~Colossians 4:2~

"I will pray for you."

What do you think it means when someone says that to you? You hear it from loved ones, friends, or a random person you've bled your heart to for the past half hour.

My personal take: Yes, I'm going to take more of my time to think about you. I'm going to speak on your behalf; back you up before the Creator (whom already cares deeply about you).

This is the standard I hold myself to. 'Never be lacing in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.' (Romans 12:11-13)

Why? For Christians, prayer is our adamant communication with God. It is the countermeasure for everything our sinful, broken (beautiful) world throws at us:

'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~Philippians 4:6~

'Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him... And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well... Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.' ~James 5:13-16~

Prayer is the highway where we spill our feelings, desires, and thanks toward God. They are spontaneous, yet concentrated. Solitary, while practiced (and encouraged) in partners or groups. Sometimes spoken, sometimes not even whispered:

'In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.' ~ Romans 8:26~

However, when we fall to our knees (or press our forehead to the steering wheel, clutch a pillow to our chest, or smile with tears through our closed eyes), it's not just us we're lifting up. Those around us, seen and unseen.

'Be joyful always, pray continually ; give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18~

'But I tell you; Love your enemies (those who curse you in other translations) and pray for those who persecute you.' ~Matthew 5:44~ 

I disclose the agony of prayer to to steal from the joy and hope of its spiritual intimacy, but to more fully paint its picture to those we pray for. And to you, yes YOU, I leave this much more:

'I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope in which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints...' ~Ephesians 1:16-18~

'I will pray for you'... what's your definition of that? 

'And pay 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~

So Selfish!

 

'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'

 ~Romans 8:28~

Even in the face of this assurance, people can, will, and do argue how selfish God is. How dare He! Everything goes by his will, his plan, his course of action (Romans 12:2b). Doesn't He care about us? Being the creator, shouldn't caring about our desires be a no brainer? 

Have you looked up the word 'selfish'? It means being devoted only to oneself; primarily concerned with one's own benefits, beliefs, welfare, etc.

God is indeed driven by purpose, his purpose as we can relate to. For work, for family, for self-fulfillment, we understand what it is to reach each day for the endgame. But there is an important detail to remember with this- the anchor of any of God's motives and plans. Which is OUR needs!

'Blessed is the one whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty' 

~Job 5:17~

This is spoken to JOB. The same Job who lost everything! His property, his wealth, and all of his children. Actions that all revolved around this man's ability to trust in God's purpose. A purpose that is lead by a singular love for His child.

So why does something so loving and selfless come across as self-centered? Because, well, we are the child. And a child's understanding is always pigeon-holed of their parent's discipline, restrictions, and the ever-resounding 'NO!'.

'A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.' ~Proverbs 29:15~

God sees the needs for our hearts, minds, and bodies- the ones we can see and more vitally, those we can't see. Our biggest need is an eternal life and relationship and Him. For believers, this is where all roads lead. The rough part is remaining on these roads and remaining assured of where they lead;

'Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble till a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.' 

~Psalm 94:12-14~

We are human; we have ideas about how life should go. But, we are humans loved by the One who is always picturing the best life for us!