Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Heb. 11:1
It is all about simple. Not getting duped by the complex theories, herculean hypotheses and advanced equations of genius conjectures.
It is all about simple. Not joining the madness of consumerism and collectivism.
It is all about simple. Not looking left or right or up or down, trembling, then constructing your own bomb shelter of safety.
It is all about simple. Not getting involved in the wars of deep-seated theology that are bound to leave relational battle-wounds, simply, unrepairable.
It is all about simple. Not counting the pennies of another, while staring at your possibly empty piggy bank.
Simple.
The more simple our faith, the more abundant our life.
The more simple our reliance, the more wisdom we accrue.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Cor. 1:25)
“Simple” is eyes that trust the unseen.
Not seeing the world as its driving force.
But God, as he pushes us, in safe protection, to his known.
It is keeping simple in the face of other’s complex. Jesus in the forefront of rushing minds.
Following his lead,
the one who is the pure – the untainted apple of truth.
Not biting into fake, fraudulent or bound to fry,
but staying attuned to the basics, the reality, the hope,
despite the grey nuances presented by talking heads.
Despite the exotic languages that come in ones mind – only sent to confuse.
It is where mission bubbles up, and it is hope that actually – fosters hope.
And strength that has the strength to endure – it endures the fire.
And life that actually brings more life – it creates it. All join hands to light a spark to boldness,
so one can walk through the fire and come alive on the other side,
believing that will happen is they will emerge refined, shining, glowing,
a pure byproduct of him who is pure.
Themselves, yet all the same one who they always wanted to be.
And this is all that matters. That we follow him. That we listen to his voice. We hear his Word. We love. We listen. We do as he did.
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal. 5:6
Simple faith.
Simple faith leads to simple love. Simple love is simply what this thing called faith is all about.
Jesus never cared much for the deep insight of man, but he cared far greater that, of him, we are his biggest fan.
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We are all gathered around the table. I can’t keep my eyes off the pumpkin pie, the mashed potatoes, and the creamed corn. I want to devour it all. My mouth is watering.
But, as I smile, as I look, as I sit, deafening sounds quickly pull me out of my delightful daydream, and throw me back into reality. A storm is brewing. Someone is annoyed – again. Agitated -yet again. Frustrated – just like last year.
Who knows what irritated them! It could be one of many things – drinks weren’t served fast enough, a rude piercing reply was launched or a digging question was fired over the table. The “why” is not of as much concern as “how” this sinks my holiday south.
Joy stolen.
Agitation mounting.
Disappointment abounding.
Why can’t we give thanks in peace?
Why can’t we all get along?
Why does it feel that we have to endure holiday rather than enjoy it?
This is should be a time of thankfulness – of gladness – not a time of madness.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are days we expect to be perfect gems of sparkle, joy and peace. Somehow, we think, because we control the preparations, the decorations and conversations, everyone should meet our expectations. But, when they don’t, we tend to get bloated with disappointment.
Yet, God calls us to enjoy this day, rather than endure it. He calls us to leave perfect in the kitchen to embrace imperfect at the table, so we don’t end up hiding in the bathroom with tears.
5 Tips to Survive Holiday Chaos:
1. Seek to embrace verses erase the person in need.
Jesus ran to the people in need. His heart was inclined to those in pain. He didn’t demand, but gave his best.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Sit under the shade of the cross. Then you will find compassion for the meaningless jabs, frustrating arguments and aggravating words. Heck, you might even see you are just as sinful as they.
2. Be truly thankful – for both the yummy and the yucky of life.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil. 4:12)
True thankfulness takes abundance and scarcity, trials and triumphs, jerks and joy – and gives thanks no matter. Why? Because all are from the Lord. All have a purpose. All are meant to refine.
3. A storm may brew, but without a doubt, God will bring you through.
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Is. 41:13)
It’s ok to feel weak, but unnecessary to feel ruined because God stands ready to help. Call out to God. He waits to run to your rescue.
4. Know you stand secure, no matter what others do.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers. neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ro. 8:38-39).
People can do what they are going to do. But, none of this impacts our standing with Christ. We are in Him. We are secure. We are loved. We are a new creation. If we stand in Christ, we can’t stand outside of him.
5. Find a heart of thanks for the burnt food.
True gratefulness is not just being thankful for all the delicious pickings, but also for the burnt food. If we have food – or family to complain about – we are already blessed. We are blessed with the perfect, but also with the imperfect. Why? Because through the imperfect, we see our need for a Savior. Through our failings, our trials and our frustrations, we find hope in One who is greater than these things.
God makes imperfect burnt food taste delicious when we see it for what it is – an undeserved gift.
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)
Bonus Tip (consider it your second helping): Realize it is impossible to control others.
We can’t control things. We can only control ourself. And, no one can take our spirit of thanks away, without us allowing them to do it. No one can steal our heart – unless we allow them to.
When we stop looking for everyone to be perfect, we can start enjoying them for who they truly are.
When our standards aren’t higher than the twinkle-lighted roof, we can see people’s hearts, history and pains.
And, we sometimes, can even empathize and minister to them.
So, this holiday season, let’s celebrate and see all that we have – burnt food and pickings. People will always disappoint – and we will disappoint people. No one is perfect – except One. But, the ultimate truth is that God’s grace never ends. It nourishes us when the spread leaves us hungry for more love.
Let’s lay this truth on the table so we can pass, dish and eat up all the goodness of grace – in our own hearts and towards the hearts of others.
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Sometimes I’ve had a not-so-fun day at home with my kids. When my husband walks in and asks about our day, I let it all roll out. And what rolls out is a list of complaints, how everything went horribly for me. “I had to deal with ____ and take care of ____ and then they ____ and so I had to ____.”
As I recount the day’s battles, I sink deeper and deeper into my desire to just call it a day and go to bed, in hopes that I’ll wake tomorrow, having forgotten it all. In hopes that tomorrow, everything will be different.
When things are hard, I’m far more aware of my hardships than my treasures.
My hard days are not the whole story of my life, but I start to feel like they are. And I sink lower, because of my awful perspective.
What would happen if I packed up, crammed all my stuff into a moving van and found a new home – God’s dwelling? Might God whisper “The burden is off, my child”?
If I truly said:
God, you own these kids, so I release myself from the burden of mismanagement. God, these goods are under your roof, so if you don’t like them – for me, you can remove them. God, when things break down in our house, you care – it is your house too. God, you’re in the very center of the air in this marriage. You are in our midst in this house. God, this home doesn’t actually belong to me, it belongs to you. God, these plans I make are under your owned roof, help me come to you first, before I steamroll ahead. God, you care about the mother and father who walk these rooms, their feelings and thoughts you oversee.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Ps. 91:1-2
If I put everything I own under his roof, his bullet-proof roof will wrap me with protection.
Cooking, caring, helping, guiding, serving, homeworking, loving, speaking, thinking and teaching will no longer rest on me, but it will reside under him. Every time I look up, the ceiling will remind me of whose shelter I am under. Every time I feel pressed against a wall, it will remind me I am not trapped, but wrapped with his love. Every time I feel it is too much, I will remind myself that God is much more in this place then I could ever be. Every time, I fear the dark, I will remind myself that he keeps me in his shadow, because he wants me close, not far so he can hurt me.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Ps. 91:4
Covered.
Gliding.
Moving.
Progressing.
Understood.
Safe.
Sound.
Armed.
Alarm set.
Tucked in tight.
Into the arms of the father.
Within our own home, which is his.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. Ps. 91: 9-13
As God rules a refuge, he protects it. As if he places an invisible bubble of armored protection around it, harm hits it hard and falls, disaster is diverted, angels are concerned, my foot is not stubbed, the opposition walks scared and I walk defeating them.
The burden is off of me – and onto God.
Lord, God, come into my home and make your home. Everything belongs to you. I belong to you. My children belong to you. My goods belong to you. My heart belongs to you. My faith belongs to you. My life belongs to you. Rule in your shelter as I live under it. Help me stay in your ways and within your heart, never to depart. Amen.
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There we sat, my husband and I, uncomfortable in the unfamiliar.
We were in an unfamiliar class in an unfamiliar church, with unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar city.
Hubby and I had just moved away from twenty years of comfortable and I was desperate for a friend to help me get from the prickly new to the worn and smooth feeling of home.
So while I looked like I was listening intently to the Sunday school lesson being taught, my eyes were actually discreetly scanning the room. Much like a woman scans a shoe department for a good-looking, well- fitting pair of shoes, I was shopping for a friend.
Ah ha! The right side of the room held promise. On the end of a row perpendicular to mine sat a lady in a “smart” suit wearing classic pearls. I thought to myself, she and I could be friends. Her articulate answers and slow southern draw sweetened the package.
Yes, classic-pearl lady was friend material and after class I would go introduce myself and ask her to meet me for lunch the following week.
That was the plan
Proverbs 19:21 “ You can make many plans but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” NLT
On the opposite side of the room sat a lady with spiky blonde hair (with one strand of purple in front) and with a thick Rhode Island accent she asked the Sunday school teacher … well, a lot of questions. She reminded me of the kid in school who always held us up from recess, and that irritated me.
I thought to myself, she’s not my type. We have nothing in common. Spiky-hair lady and I will never be friends.
1 Samuel 16:7b, “…The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks a the heart.” NLT
After class, David and I went to grab lunch.
We arrived at a restaurant a short ride from the church, a trendy place that was beyond crowded.
There was no available seating except at a six-top where two people were already seated. The pair were none other than Mary, the spiky-hair lady, and her husband, Craig. They spied us searching for a seat and waved us over to join them.
As we shared and broke bread together or more accurately the best flatbread pizza in the world, we discovered, even though we didn’t necessarily mutually agree on style, the four of us melded on matters of the heart. We had a hunger for Jesus, a desire for authenticity and a feeling of being displaced.
You see, even though Mary and Craig had been living there for three years, like us they felt restless. It was as if God had another place for them to be and they were in a holding pattern. If Mary had owned a pair of ruby-red slippers she would have surely tapped them together and chanted, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.” But neither Craig nor Mary were sure where the feeling of home was.
From that day forward because of what we shared in common, God forged in us a deep and lasting friendship. Mary and Craig became like family. Our hearts blended together like warm bread and butter.
At the end of three years, doors opened for David and I to return to Jacksonville.
Oddly enough within a few months of us leaving, God pointed Craig and Mary to Seattle Washington where they found their resolve.
A multitude of God things took place during the three years we lived in Tampa not the least of which was our friendship with the spiky-hair lady, and her husband Craig.
I’m not writing this story to school you on choosing friends (though this is a good lesson on what not to do!) but to say, as believers we are all on mission for God and sometimes that means we find ourselves serving in the unfamiliar.
If and when you find yourself there, in the dwelling of the new and prickly, let me encourage you, the God who hears your cries and sees you heart, will fill your needs as he promises in Philippians 4:19…
“My God will will meet all your needs
according to the riches of his glory.”
And that includes providing a friend who will help you get from the uncomfortable space to the well-worn place that feels like home.
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Christy is a wife, mother, writer, mentor, and Life Purpose Coach. She is passionate about encouraging women to move forward, and press on through their struggles, seeking God’s presence in every bump and turn in the road.
I don’t know about you, but if someone was to ask me, I would say, “Yes, I want more of God.”
In fact, I would probably even go on to tell them, “I want God’s everything. I want to be so close to him. I want to draw near.”
And this is the truth. But, in a way, it is also a lie. Because I notice I play other tricks with God – tricks where I motion one hand, saying, “Come close”, all the while holding one arm out saying, “Stay back.”
It’s like my inside is at war with my outside, which truly I guess it is – and this is the point.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Gal. 5:17
Do you call for God to come near, all the while fearing that he may?
When we step back to see the war for what it really is, we see it. This tug of war is truly our greatest fight, our ultimate conflict and the most important war of our lives.
Will we fight to win or lay back and prepare to lose?
5 Ways We Get in a Tug-of-War Against God
1. The Spirit tugs: stay close to God.
The flesh tugs: you can’t trust him.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Ja. 4:8
2. The Spirit tugs: Believe He can heal, help and harness what is coming against you.
The flesh tugs: God wouldn’t do something that amazing for me.
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. . . Eph. 3:20
3. The Spirit tugs: Open your real heart, so God can do real work in you.
The flesh tugs: Run from vulnerability, God will hate you.
I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. Ps. 77:3
4. The Spirit tugs: Listen to my small voice – and obey – and you will find your way.
The flesh tugs: That is too hard, too inconvenient and too uncomfortable.
He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Lu. 11:28
5. The Spirit tugs: God’s change is the beginning of your hope.
The flesh tugs: Run from change, it will change everything good about your life.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. 1 Jo. 4:18
When we let God in, he changes everything within.
When we lay down walls, he plows through with a mission of love. When we break what keeps us stuck, we trample over the past with a vengeance. When we let him in – to see through his eyes – we start to see compassion and faith anew. When we unarm, he arms us in indwelling truth. When we seek his face, we are staggered by it. When we come undone, he undoes the pain we have walked in for so long. When we let him plow the fields of ruin, we find new buds of life forming. When we back into his loving arms, we crash into hope – straight up hope. When we realize we can’t do it without him, we start to see that we can do it. When we bare the ugly, he makes it beautiful.
When we live intimate with God, we start to imitate God.
From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Psalm 61:2
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It’s what we would rather run from than run straight into.
It’s what makes us speak accusations
instead of affirmations.
It’s what drives us bat crazy,
feeling like we are chasing a shifting shadows of ever changing goals and needs.
It’s what sends us to mindsets of sin rather than pastures of holiness.
It is called conflict.
It is that thing that we don’t know why, we as Christians have to deal with – yet, we do. Somehow and sometimes, we just hit it. And as ugly as it is, we often stand, right in the midst of it, wondering how something so icky, so yucky and so unsavory, could exist in one who is trying to pursue God so wholly?
How a God seeker could turn into more of a raging lunatic than a calming saint?
How this very growth of mold could threaten to swallow God’s very light shining on it?
But, yet, if we stop and think, sometimes our heart actually lands at the truth, doesn’t it?
God’s light is still shining – even when our heart isn’t.
There is no amount of disgrace, shame and darkness that can remove the ray of light shining on you. Like the rays that follow your tin can of transport, so does God go. Like the light that reflect off the tiny pieces of dirt on the side of the road, so does God go. Like the moon that shines even in the darkness, so does God go. You can’t stop the places his light shine.
God’s light shines hope into every endless pit of death and decay –
it can’t help but make things grow.
The glow of repair is always available – and the glow is a He and he waits for our call, so that he can run to our rescue, operating tools and all, to reshape us into glory, faster than one can mutter “Thank you.”
God didn’t save his glow for the perfect, he shines it on the sinners.
The only hindrance for us receiving it, is us believing dirty rotten scoundrels can really handle it without ruining everything.
It is moving in, rather than running away.
It is waiting, rather than hiding.
It is believing grace rather than fear.
It is relaxing into his work, rather than resisting it.
Conflict is the great body shop of God’s repair,
for it is here that he points out the greatest defects of our hearts.
The amazing part is – when those who are defected,
continually run to him who is resurrected,
we can’t help but find ourselves more and more perfected.
So, be not discouraged, he is helping us.
Be not dismayed, he is with us in the heat of the moment, despite the coldness of our heart.
Be not disgraced, he calls us to see, not our bad moves, but his great ones.
Be not downright angry, he leads us to listen, so then we can understand.
Be not debased, he calls us to set our ways down, so we can come alive to his.
Be not defeated, he calls us to victory in Christ, so then we may be free.
Be not dejected, he calls us to new ways of thinking, so we don’t live furious.
Be not defamed, you are always loved in his eyes.
Be not defensive, his correction spoken might be your ticket to fullness.
Be not down and out, you are permanently Christ’s new creation.
Be not disqualified, nothing can remove you from the hand of God.
Be not denied, Christ already died to fully accept you.
The key is to pray so we don’t fall prey, but so we find God’s way. His way is the greatest cease and desist order to the devil and the most potent concoction of peace there is.
Suddenly, what we find is – it’s not so much about winning, but much more about letting Christ win our hearts over in love – so everything flows according to HIS plan.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col. 3:12
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I am more than delighted to welcome a true woman of the Lord, Karina, to the Purposeful Faith blog. From the minute I met her, I could see love, joy and passion written all over her. Karina is an example of transparency and authentic pursuit of God. I couldn’t be more happy to have her on Purposeful Faith as a regular contributor. I hope you enjoy her heart as much as I do.
I have this struggle. I’m sure I am probably the only person who struggles with this issue. I kind of, sort of, maybe, like to be in control. Just a little bit. When a say a little, I mean a lot!
The last 6 months or so have been a bit paradoxical in nature. What I mean is that many amazing things have happened to me! I went out of town several times, have had a few exciting writing opportunities, connected with dear friends and met some new ones! During those exact same months, I have been searching for a roommate. I’m 35 and single and living alone is ridiculously expensive. I normally have a sense from God in which direction to go in when making decisions, but this time around, I had no direction.
I, under no circumstances, like the way that feels! I did my part. I exhausted every avenue to find a roommate and searched high and low for other housing. Nothing made sense. Countless options came and went. No other housing option fit my budget. Again, still no direction. My sweet friend Holly prayed for me one night a couple of months ago after small group. She told me the Lord wanted me to know that this situation was not my fault.I hadn’t done anything wrong. That filled me with such peace and yet still, there was no direction.
Over the past few weeks, the Lord has been so faithful to remind me of the truths that I so easily forget.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
God is God. I am not. He is omniscient.
He know all things…the past, the present and the future. His timing and mine are rarely the same thing. After all, He is the one who created time itself. I can effortlessly believe the lie that what I see is all there is or that my time line is perfect.That is NEVER the case. There is a great deal happening in the supernatural that I cannot see and may never see. I am learning to embrace the mystery in knowing God and trusting His ways and His heart especially when I can’t see Him at work.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,
for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
The never changing truth is that God loves me deeply and He loves you deeply. What He does or doesn’t do, what He says or doesn’t say is always for our good. That is what He does and who He is as our Heavenly Father. He doesn’t send pain or suffering or doubt or confusion. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. When our circumstances are not good and perfect, it breaks His heart. And His desire is to come in and bring healing, purpose and restoration to our lives. I am learning to let Him do just that.
Are you? Is there an area of your life where you have been believing the myth that you are in control?
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Karina is a devoted follower of Jesus from New Orleans, Louisiana, but has made her home in Baton Rouge for the past 15 years. She spends much of her time leading worship at church, writing, reading, dancing and mentoring the next generation. She has a huge heart for serving and missions. She is an advocate for the local church especially the one that she attends, Healing Place Church. She also enjoys working out, traveling, photography and going to concerts/conferences.
Karina believes that every woman has a God-sized dream on the inside of them and it is up to an encouraging community to help nurture that dream. Her goal in writing is to see women get a revelation of God’s Word and discover how to apply it to their lives in order to walk in freedom and live the life that God intended. But the most important thing to her is to live out the call of Isaiah 26:8…For His Name and His Renown are the desire of our souls! You can connect with her at “For His Name and His Renown.”
Lately, I have been pushing kids and driving life everywhere. Life has been an express train to destination. People have been figurines that need to keep in motion. Tasks have been boxes that need to be seen, mastered and checked off.
Life has been mechanical.
It has been more of a factory of output, than an industry of love. It has been more about efficiency, than about humility. It has been more about schedule, than making others feel special. It has been more about me, than anyone else.
And this is the problem. Do you have a problem like this?
The greatest indicator that you do, is when you start to leave your great God behind you. Or when your time with him feels more like another motion on the list of to-do’s than the emotion of joy.
When you start to feel distance between him and you, you know there is some thinking you have to do. Because, without a doubt, if his love is not deeply inflowing, your love can’t go about deeply outflowing. And if you aren’t feeling the weight of his daily grace you likely are:
1. Getting annoyed at people
2. Finding yourself pulled every direction
3. Lost, in a world that wants you to do everything
4. Trying to be the best you can be by your own merit
5. Feeling that world is acting on you
6. On edge with those you most love
7. Distracted with rush
8. Frantic at best
9. Worried often
10. Tired and worn
Here is the hard and fast truth friends: we simply can’t be move like a rollercoaster, on the tracks of frantic, and expect to sit at Jesus’ feet of love with a focused and settled heart of joy. It is like slowing down a missile on command; it takes time and it is not done in an instant. The same goes with us.
A heart in constant motion has a hard time settling down to the beat of God’s peace.
Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? But you say, ‘I can’t help it. I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’ Jer. 2:25 MSG
This verse speaks to Israel, full of wild lusts, desires and leadings. While we may not be like them, worshipping gods of other nations, many of us are still falling prey to finding our identity in the idol of busy. Many of us, think we should slow down, but we can’t stop. Many of us might consider the words spoken here, “I can’t quit.”
Might God speak in a similar way – to us today?
What are you after when you get after life – in ravenous pursuit?
What do you think you will eat that God will not feed you?
In our inadvertent worship of our “alien gods”, we think we will fill our bellies, grow strong and be sent out into the world full of admiration, achievement and love. The only problem is that when we find our identity in idols we find inadequacy in every way.
God has a different route for those willing to shut off the iPhone, set down the iPad and to turn off the me, myself and iFocus. It is this: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt. 11:28
Come to me, I love you. Come to me, I miss you. Come to me, I can’t wait to be with you. Come to me in your comings and come to me in your goings. Come to me, when you feel you can’t. Come to me and I will show you if you can. Come to me, you won’t live on empty, but always full. Come to me, I will give you peace. Come to me, you will find rest. Come to me and you will find more than you can ask, think or imagine. Come to me and I will untrap you faster than you can run yourself haggard. Come to me and I will rejoice over you with singing and you will join my splendor. Come to me and you will simply see me. Come to me and you will dance free in this life that wants to ball and chain you to destruction.
I am your way. My way is your light. My load is easy. I am gentle, kind and slow to anger. I am a guide, a light and a life-preserver in the oceans of this world. I am more than you need and more than anything you could ever want. I am the answer to fears and all the same the only extender of peace. I am the source of contentment and the blocker of abandonment.
I wait for you. Come.
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Last night, as I was booting down the day in prayer, I realized something. Something kind of significant. I figured what it said about me just as important as what I actually believed about prayer.
It struck me that while I often pray to stop worrying, I always pray mid-struggle – in the heat of a thought that has run haywire, like a wire with far too much current and no outlet. Now, I won’t say by that point it is too late, but I just wonder, why do I wait until that point, rather than getting out in front of it defensively?
Why don’t I build an action plan, a game plan and an attack
to beat down worry before it runs wild?
When we fail to prepare with big preemptive prayers, we prepare like paupers.
But, when we prepare in advance, not fearing to ask for massive deliverance,
God prepares our hearts in the unimaginable.
Why is it we are afraid to ask for the enormous, the unthinkable and the life-changing?
1. We are scared that our big God will only deliver us small answers and thereby disappoint us. 2. We feel guilty for not praying righteous prayers, so we pray empty prayers. 3. We wonder what we will end up believing about God, if we end up seeing him not come through. 4. We figure that we are somehow supposed to conquer, what God stands ready to.
Yet, Jesus, he teaches us to pray unrestrained, unbelievable and uncensored prayers. Let’s take a look.
10 Bible Verses: How Jesus Prayed
1. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Lu. 5:16
Getting alone gives our mind the white space it needs to conceptualize life-transforming spiritual needs.
2. And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. Mt 26:39
Jesus was not afraid to ask for big deliverance. Our big God can handle big prayers. In fact, he loves a heart that believes by faith he can do all things. Just ask it!
3. My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done. Mt 26:42
Jesus knew God’s will takes precedence over earthly will. When we pray, we should let our heart convey needs, yet trust that God ultimately knows what we best need.
4. And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark. Mk. 1:35
Jesus knew that seeing God first in his day, sets the foundation of a day – in God. When we place our morning eyes on God, he gives our eyes sight on great strength in our day.
5. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Mt. 6:9
Jesus knew who he was talking to, do we? God tells us that the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous can run into it and are safe (Prov 18:10). Do we believe this?
6. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Mt. 6:13
Praying to be delivered from what has not already hit, prevents your feet from getting swept out from under. Jesus teaches us to pray preemptively, and for good reason.
7. I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. Mt. 11:25-26
Jesus praised God for what man could easily find fault with. Praise God for the things you can’t understand. When we know that a good God is over our bad problems, we find calm waters.
8. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Lu. 22:32
Jesus knew the value in praying on behalf of faith. May we ask for more faith, so we can walk into the unseen with power, authority and courage, just like Jesus.
9. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. Jo. 17:9
Jesus prayed for his beloved children. Let’s pray that our heart, and the heart of all God’s children, will endure, stay pure and persevere together until the end, for this is God’s will for us.
10. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Lu. 23:34
Jesus forgave when he could have cursed the world for his breath labored pain and agony. He didn’t. Let’s forgive those who cause us pain and agony, for what we will find is that forgiveness is what ends up causing us far less pain in the long run.
Prayer.
It is our power. It is our strength. It is our direct connection to the greatest ruler of this earth. It is our cosmic shift from selfish plans to God’s plans. It is our ability to be an influencer, a pleader and a worker in a kingdom that counts. It is our ticket to our greatest needs being met in awe inspiring ways. It is our hope that confirms to our heart we have a hope. It is our peace that the creator is still creating. It is our power found in uplifted hands and in the quietness of a solitary room. It is our ability to call the Great Physician to a family member in need. It is our emergency exit door for what the devil has already cooked up to destroy us. It is our greatest weapon in a world that is building bigger and bigger weapons. It is our lifeline when we feel we have lost all life.
It was one of Jesus’ greatest tools,
shouldn’t it be ours too?
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