Praying for Others

 Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Wausau, WI

I was feeling quite inadequate last week when many of us took part in a special prayer and fasting for John, 'Nana Diana's' husband (see post). After all, although I'm a firm believer in God and his Son Jesus, and although I read my Bible and pray regularly, I still am me. I've got a silly sense of humor, I often laugh when others don't see anything funny, and my thoughts aren't  particularly what I would expect to find in a book entitled, 'Seriously Spiritual Thoughts.' 

One would expect the people who are at the top of the list to get a real audience with God, to be very sober, always heavenly-minded people. Surely they have a special 'in' with God when it comes to prayer and fasting.

But when I have those feelings of inadequacy and doubt, I have to always come back to this:  Jesus is human. He can relate to this, my life, me. Yes, he is also God, but He didn't stop being human when he ascended into heaven. That is so reassuring to me. He was human. And he is still human. Being human, he knows exactly what it's like for us who live in this fallen world. He's experienced the kinds of things that bother us, the doubts and fears we all feel. Being God, he knows all the thoughts of our minds, the intentions of our hearts. And he loves us. 

So we are told to come boldly to the throne of grace. Yes, even believers who feel totally inadequate to intercede for another.

I've been reminded that no one has a special deal with God because they're special. We have a special deal with God because HE is special. He knows our frame, that we are but dust, so it's not like he's waiting for us to accomplish great things for him. It's more like, when are we going to forget about ourselves, trust him, and let his Spirit work in and through us.

So I will continue to pray, although sometimes I'm tired and don't feel like praying; sometimes it feels like my prayers get stuck at the ceiling; sometimes I feel discouraged. But that's just feeling, not reality. The reality is that we have a merciful God who cares about us, and prayer is how we talk to him and share the concerns of our heart.

There are so many who need our prayers today. And although God doesn't need our prayers to motivate him, He has told us to pray, and does mysteriously work through the prayers of his people.

Matthew 20:1-16  reminds me that God doesn't have favorites, does not esteem one above the other, but is abundantly and amazingly gracious to ALL who put their trust in Him. So let's pray, remembering that we're not praying to the tooth fairy. We're praying to the Lord of the Universe.

Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
(Because that's what it's all about.)

Have a blessed Lord's Day,

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ROSES OF INSPIRATION