Thursday, October 1, 2015

pray it: gentle in our time - ephesians 1:15-23

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (Ephesians 1:15-16)

Scott Jackson leads the special focus of the month prayer group at PoC|Coverage.  Every month there is a new focus.  Once when we were talking, Scott mentioned how difficult it was as the new month rolled around, to say goodbye to the who and what we had been praying for, and hello to someone/something new.  You see, as we prayed for _______, we became endeared to them.  Thankful for them.  We wanted to keep praying for them.  God grew our love for them as we prayed.

I have found this to be true when I have prayed for PoC'ers extended family members.  When I finally meet them, it's like I'm greeting long-lost friends.  Because I had spent so much time in prayer for them, I felt like I knew them.  I loved them.

Today, we continue to put into practice what Jesus called his kids to do, and the very thing he modeled for us while on the cross:  prayer for those who antagonize us, while they are antagonizing us.  In addition to praying “from the cross,” which was our challenge last week, this week, we add a new challenge. 

This week’s prayer challenge:  while praying from the cross, pray for blessing.  Pray for “big picture blessing.”  In Luke 23:34, Jesus’ prayer is “Father, forgive them…” 

Do you have your eye on the biggest picture?  Drawing near to God… Salvation… Jesus certainly had his eye on the biggest picture of what really mattered.  Even in the midst of awful pain. 

Perhaps if we start our prayers there, all of the other stuff we’d like to see fall into place (such as less antagonizing behaviors) will decrease as the Holy Spirit takes up residence. 

Again, I just want to reiterate what I wrote last week.  Prayer for our "enemies" does not mean we "approve" of ______.  Our prayer speaks more about what we think of our Almighty, Grace-and-Mercy-Bestowing, Ever-Present, Saving, Forgiving, Transforming, and Restoring God.

Our God who is listening.

Our God who is in control.

Prayer endears people to us.  How do you feel about praying for “big picture blessings” for your antagonists?  Does it leave you unsettled or feeling less-than-gentle that people who have hurt you have the same forgiveness extended to them through Jesus as you do?  How do you feel that as you pray, you “run the risk” of becoming endeared to the very people who antagonize you?  Talk to Jesus about that now.  He’s listening.


Dear Jesus,
Please help us not be withholders of prayer, but instead to be fervent in prayer for those who are hurting us.  Please change our hearts so that we truly do want what you want, which is for everyone to come to know you, love you, and follow you with all their heart.
Amen.


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

Pastor Celia

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