If you begin asking God for one thing and something different happens, how do you respond? Do you immediately respond to what begins to happen? I was looking at Ephesians 3:20-21 the other day which says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations." Look at the little phrase "who is able to do immeasurably more." That is what jumped out at me. I cannot even begin to think a prayer that comes close to what God wants to give me. Think about that for a minute. Only the Spirit of God knows what God is doing or purposing in my life or your life.
Sometimes I think I pray and then never relate anything that happens to my praying. After we pray it is vitally important to turn on our "spiritual concentration." If I have prayed in a certain direction then I should anticipate the activity of God in answer to my prayer. Think through the Scriptures and remember the times when God's people prayed, He responded.
Sometimes, after I have prayed, things start to happen during the course of my day that may not be 'normal' for me. Often times, I see them as distractions and might try to get rid of them. I fail to connect them with what I've just prayed. I've learned though, to immediately begin to watch for what happens next, and I try to be prepared to make adjustments in my life, if needed.
There are times when I feel like God is silent. When that happens, I go back to God and His Word. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned in His silence. Think about when Lazarus died and Mary and Martha were upset because Christ waited to come. But, if He had not waited then the opportunity for Christ to disclose more of Himself to Mary and Martha would not have been known. So sometimes the silence of God means that He is ready to bring into my life more revelation of Himself than I have ever known.
My response should be to have an expectation...an eagerness to see what God is revealing to me. It could be as simple as a deeper understanding of His faithfulness or something much more complex. I just know that He will answer.
2 comments:
Thanks for these thoughts on prayer - I never thought of it quite that way.
Claire-
Thank you so much for this entry. I can't express how timely it is in my life today. I have a few things pressing on my heart and I long to pray the right things in those situations. I was so encouraged by your perpective and Ephesians 3. "Immeasurably more"?! I am glad that the Holy Spirit knows what God is purposing in my life and interceeds for me on behalf of my feeble heart cries. I am very encouraged by your words to start praying with that expectation you talk about, an eagerness to see what God will do and show me. Thank you for this post!
-Christa
Post a Comment