| One of the most mysterious subjects of the Christian | | | | generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. |
| faith is prayer, particularly regarding how it works, and | | | | But ask in faith, never doubting, for one who doubts is |
| how it is answered. Many unbelieving people simply | | | | like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; |
| cannot entertain the logic of prayer. It is clearly | | | | for the doubter, being double-minded (literally |
| something that must be experienced very personally. | | | | 'double-souled') and unstable in every way, must not |
| But, how does prayer actually work? How is it | | | | expect to receive anything from the Lord." -James |
| answered? There is probably no simple or succinct | | | | 1:5-8 (NRSV). |
| answer. But, let me take you into one way how prayer | | | | We see God at work in prayer when we're seeking to |
| is answered from my own personal experience. | | | | join with his agenda and we're willing to do our 50 |
| I've prayed recently, for several weeks in fact, for an | | | | percent by being fully committed to the goal. God will |
| extra portion of epieikes (pronounced epee-aa-kes), | | | | always grant us an affirmative answer if we're praying |
| the character quality of spiritual forbearance, | | | | in line with his will and we're willing to make the right |
| gentleness, and reasonableness, which Paul talks about | | | | decisions in cooperation. I think this is part of the intent |
| in Philippians 4:5 and 2 Corinthians 10:1. What led me to | | | | of John 15:7 where Jesus says, "If you abide in me, |
| this prayer is I recognised within myself a lack of | | | | and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you |
| gentleness and grace in certain situations--to not | | | | wish, and it will be done for you." (NRSV) We only see |
| endure situations patiently is to fall short as a Christian; | | | | prayers go unanswered or answered non-affirmatively |
| it is God's will that all Christians grow and mature in | | | | when they go against the grain of God's will. We also |
| epieikes. | | | | must remember the 'what' and the 'how' are also |
| I focused on the meaning of the word, journalled about | | | | different. God might grant the prayer, but how he'll do it |
| it, set daily goals, and finally, asked God, not once, but | | | | and when might not always match with our |
| several times over several days and even weeks. | | | | expectations--yet God's purposes and reasons are |
| Before long I felt his presence helping me in situations | | | | always perfect. |
| where my patience was tested. I felt a peace that | | | | God knows what is best for us. He won't give us |
| transcended my own understanding. I understood it as | | | | things that are not good for us. Praying for a |
| God helping me; answering my prayer. | | | | Mercedes Benz, as Janis Joplin sung about cynically |
| Yet, I was not being given more patience to be gentler; | | | | only days before her death, is futile as it's not in line |
| but, I was prompted or reminded and made more | | | | with our best, spiritually. Prayer is a spiritual medium for |
| aware when I needed to be gentler and more | | | | spiritual reasons for spiritual gain. It never works |
| reasonable. Then it seemed to be more simply a | | | | materially--that would be luck. And luck has no science |
| matter of my will; did I want to decide in that moment | | | | or logic to it, and it definitely has nothing meaningful to |
| to be gentler and more forbearing? The answer was | | | | say regarding spirituality. |
| of course "yes," as I'd resolved to cooperate with God. | | | | Jesus said finally (from The Message paraphrase), |
| There is no better feedback than getting through a | | | | "Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you |
| challenging situation successfully. This is how God | | | | need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game |
| answers prayer; he goes through the challenge with | | | | we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him |
| us. His Spirit then encourages us and we grow in | | | | with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him |
| confidence and we're better prepared for the next | | | | with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you |
| challenge. | | | | wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to |
| Our faith is summarised by a relationship with the one | | | | your own children. So don't you think the God who |
| and only living God: 1) him talking to us, mainly through | | | | conceived you in love will be even better?" -Matthew |
| his Word, and what that says to our minds and | | | | 7:7-11. |
| hearts--and it's us listening and obeying; and 2) it's us | | | | God wants what is truly best for us, even though we |
| talking to him, in reverence and in wanting to please | | | | might not understand at the time. Isn't it ironic what |
| him by wanting him to fashion our characters closer to | | | | Jesus said next... "Do to others what you would have |
| his--this is freedom because it is freeing ourselves | | | | them do to you." (v. 12) |
| from ourselves and our selfish desires. | | | | And, now, what should we pray for? |
| On the subject of need, it is said by the apostle James, | | | | Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights |
| "If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives | | | | Reserved Worldwide. |