08/19/2021
Do we treat prayer like an incredibly fine wine that we only bring out on special occasions, and offer it sparingly when we do? Are we only meant to pray for those who are deathly sick, or facing some terrible hardship? Do we find ourselves withholding prayer for our leaders until we approve of them, or for times when our country or church is in dire straits? Perhaps we only pray for something when we feel it affects us personally, or that a certain outcome is somehow to our advantage. In truth we are to offer it like our love… for all people, without ceasing, and also in every circumstance.
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Ephesians 6:18 ESV
I am in the habit of praying as I drive to and from work, and one day as I was driving and praying for my family, and those I knew who were sick or in need of prayer in some other way, I heard a small still voice within me that asked “What about all of these, my children, who you pass each day?” It was a moment of awakening for me, and I realized, and was convicted by, the fact that prayer was boundless, and meant to be offered for all creation. Afterwards my prayers included those I passed along the way; those in every apartment building, business, standing on every corner, and those once invisible people as they walked the streets between them… all of those who surrounded me, and in whose lives God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, were active right now, and had been all along. Each day as we walk and ride through the world our path is surrounded by God at work in the lives of families, friends, enemies, and Jesus is speaking to the unknown souls that live between these.
““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43-44 ESV
As people we can only see so far with our human eyes, and we tend to see the world like I saw it as I drove to work. I never really thought of it as Jesus did, because to me it was like taking a string and laying it across a complex painting. I only knew that painting by the narrow line which I came in contact with, but there was so much more to it. God and Jesus, on the other hand are the artist, and they know its entirety. The sad thing is that they have painted this masterpiece, and want us to see it as they do. They want us viewing and interacting with its entirety, yet we can only see so far.
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV
Prayer is one way we have been given that allows us to see as we should; it replaces our limited physical eyes with spiritual eyes of faith, and these eyes allow us to step back far enough to see the world as God sees it, and then to interact with it using the fullness of our love. We are like the blind man that Jesus healed, we begin by feeling our way along without sight, then He touches us and we see others as if they are trees walking, but finally He touches our eyes again, and we see everything clearly. Our question today is this… Where are we in this progression of sight? How perfect is the vision of our prayers.
“And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”
Mark 8:23-25 ESV
If you are currently blind, and see nothing in prayer, don’t be dismayed because the Apostle Paul was also blind, but he was given sight, and you can be too. Jesus knocks each of us down, revealing to us the true nature of our blindness, and in due time He sends an Ananias to us to give us the sight we have lacked. He might not need to return physical sight to us, but He will certainly open our spiritual eyes. Are we ready to pray with a new and clear vision? Are we ready to see the masterpiece?
“So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”
Acts 9:17-19 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for prayer, and the love that powers it. Thank you for your Son Jesus who shows us a vision of life that extends far from the limits of our eyesight to the ends of the world. Help us Lord to pray as we should so that our prayers will include all of your creation, and every soul you have breathed life into. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, and greater are you than all that we are able to see. Praised be your name Father for the love that fuels our prayers, and the faith that extends their vision to include all you spoke into existence. Merciful are you, and your grace flows throughout the world as it offers forgiveness to all who answer “Yes!”. Help us to pray for every soul so that “Yes” would be their answer, and that their eyes would be opened as ours have been opened. We pray for them now so that they can pray with us then. Wash us all clean in the blood of Jesus, so that we will be found worthy on the day of judgement, and open our eyes with the spit of Christ so that we will see you perfectly in praise, and worship, forevermore.
Rich Forbes