Prayer Brakes

"Prayer is not asking God to do what we want, but asking Him to do what He wants...Many matters are piled up in heaven, many transactions remain undone, simply because God is unable to find an outlet for His will on earth."
Watchman Nee



Please, allow me to share one of the greatest adjustments God is making in my spiritual walk. It is in the area of what I actually pray for concerning my brothers and sisters in Christ. God has used a portion of a sermon delivered years ago by Buddy Bell to trigger an overhaul of this aspect of my prayer life. In reference to 'open' prayer requests prior to teaching Bible classes, Buddy notes that the majority of requests have to do with one's physical health; either mine or a loved one's. (Note: I do not believe it is wrong to petition God on any of these matters). However, Buddy continued with a penetrating question. He asked, "Is that the only thing on our hearts to pray about?"

What? Isn't that what we are supposed to pray for? It's what we have spent hours upon hours praying for not only just before Sunday school classes, but also in opening prayers, closing prayers, prayers at bedtime, prayers with kids, prayers with spouses, prayers with friends, etc. Pondering Buddy's question over the years has led me to a personal rewording, "Is that the extent to which I care for my family, friends, or church family?"

Initially, I did not really know what to do with that question. I did not know where to go to find the answer, either. Reading through the Pauline epistles and becoming aware of what he actually prayed for began to radically change the priorities of my prayers. Listen to these examples of his prayers for the churches:

• "...while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."

• "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."

• "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent,"

• "...we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects..."

• "To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him..."

And finally, Paul's vivid description of Epaphras' prayers for his Colossae brethren, "always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God."

If a loved one is sick, will I mention that in prayer...well, yes! If I am aware of a husband and wife struggling in their relationship, will I bring that before God...of course! If a friend asks for prayers for wisdom and guidance in a particular matter, will I seek God's favor for him/her...yes; yes!

Again, I say, "Yes"!

You must understand though that these are no longer my deepest desires for you. I believe that God has impressed upon me that health, wealth, safety, and happiness are secondary; that spiritual growth and maturity are primary. So, I continue to put the 'brakes' on praying for the temporary, and accelerate prayers for the eternal.

I know you will understand.

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

-Benediction of St Francis of Assisi