pray it: gentle in our time - ephesians 1:3-14

I don't like to actively suffer.

I don't mind suffering nearly as much when I can look back on it, reflect how God came through (whether I knew that's what He was doing at the time or not) and appreciate how this or that wouldn't have happened in the same way if "X" had not occurred.

But in the midst of suffering, with no clear end in sight... well... I don't like it.  I get cranky.  I don't feel gentle. 

When we say yes to Jesus, life doesn't magically become all rainbows and cotton-candy and puppy dogs.  There will still be trials.  However, the difference is, now we have Jesus.  As Paul states in Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

There are a lot of people we can look to in the Bible to see how they responded to suffering.  A lot of the psalmists recognize their suffering and their enemies, yet focus their attentions and energies on God, who will save.  God who will deliver.  God who will provide the rescue.  This is a good idea.  Paul suffered quite a bit... both physically:  shipwrecked... stoned... and emotionally/relationally... see any of his letters where he is pouring out his heart to churches who are not heeding his advice.  Yet he persevered for the sake of the Gospel.  And Jesus... Jesus endured the cross.  For you.  For me.  For everyone.  For your enemy.  For your antagonist.  For your persecutor.  Even that one.  Yep. 

I don't know what you're going through.  But I do know that Jesus knows. 

In our Scripture passage for the week, Paul speaks to the restrained strength exhibited by Jesus on the cross.  Ephesians 1:7-12 in the Message,

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

We can't determine how to pray in our time without looking to Jesus.  It's all about him.  This past week in the prayer blog, we did just that and determined from Matthew 5:44 and Luke 23:34, that we need to be loving our enemies, praying for those who persecute us.  Again, this was not some idealistic, starry-eyed suggestion... this was the actual practice of Jesus, who chose to respond in prayer for those who were crucifying him. 

And here's our prayer challenge for the week:  Praying for those who antagonize us from the cross.  Meaning, right now.  While the pain is ongoing.  Don't wait until the story comes full circle and you know how it ends.  Don't decide to pray for them once they're "getting theirs" and up to their ears in consequences from the hurt they have caused.  Pray for them now.  Just like Jesus.

Ask God to help identify two different kind of hurts that are happening in your life right now:

1.)  A local hurt specific to you, that is ongoing right now.  (Example:  an extended family member who is out to ruin your reputation and damage relationships).

2.)  A global hurt, that really gets your attention/bothers you, that is happening right now.  (Example: Planned Parenthood). 

Spend some time reflecting on how you have been responding.  Has it been gentle?  Is God calling you to be gentle?  To trust Him?  To pray more, and speak a little bit less?

Side note:  Just as an example... A quick peruse of social media shows quite the nasty responses that exist with regards to Planned Parenthood, with scathing comments about how this person or that person involved is the spawn of the devil, who should have been aborted themselves. 

Wow.

What if instead of exerting our efforts on condemning those involved with comments that DO NOT honor Jesus, who indeed died on the cross and offers grace and mercy to everyone, we instead whole-heartedly put our efforts into prayer.  By name. For people involved.  I wonder how much more would get accomplished for the Kingdom of God than pointing fingers and wishing they had never been born? 

Prayer for our antagonists, and prayer "from the cross", does not mean we are "okay" with the hurting that is going on.  

Our prayer speaks more about what we think of our Almighty, Grace-and-Mercy-Bestowing, Ever-Present, Saving, Forgiving, Transforming, and Restoring God.

Ask God to help you respond like Jesus, by praying from the position of the cross (praying for those who are antagonizing you while they are hurting you).  Get specific.  Pray by name.  Pray like Jesus.

Dear Jesus,
Please help us identify current hurts in our own life, and in our world, and spend time in earnest prayer for those who are hurting us.  Help us be mindful that we are all God's children.  That Jesus died on the cross for ALL of us.  Amen.

PoC|Coverage is tonight at 6pm.  Join us! 

Pastor Celia