02/23/2023
This morning as I read a devotional reading by E.M. Bounds, he stressed the importance of humility in respect to our ability to pray. I especially enjoyed reading his observation that "To be clothed with humility is to be clothed with a prayer garment." Are we clothed in this way as we enter into our prayer closets, or otherwise begin to pray? Do we think that we can be arrogant before God, or demand anything of the creator of all things? Let’s think now about our demeanor as we come before God, or attempt to pray in the name of Jesus.
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
Psalm 131:1 ESV
How could we possibly pray to the creator of ourselves, and everything we will come to know, without experiencing profound awe and humility? In our daily lives there is the realization that no matter how far we are able to see... There He is also, and no matter how deep inside ourselves we dive... There He is also, and in every discovery, there He is also. God is without end and we are so finite.
When I was a child I used to enjoy taking a magnifying glass and looking at the minute details of common things around me. It was amazing to realize that even those things that appeared so ordinary to my naked eye took on incredible complexity. This piece of specially shaped glass allowed me to see God's creation in a way that amazed and humbled me. The smallest had become the greatest.
“The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:11-12 ESV
Then one day I discovered that if I focused the sunlight with my lens, I could create a pinpoint of light on the surface of a leaf and burn a hole through it. The power within that light became real and purposeful to me at that moment. Jesus is the magnifying glass that focuses God's enormity into a point of light that boils away our soul's impurities. He could use this lens to destroy, but instead he cauterizes our wounds and creates a more perfect and acceptable person. Just the thought of the incredible power in such a small portion of God's light brings me to my knees... And yet His light abounds throughout creation.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
1 John 1:5
I have met many people in my lifetime who find little if anything that humbles them. They see themselves as holding every magnifying glass and the world as their leaf. If you ask them they will describe how brilliant they are and how others pale in comparison. Yet, to those of us who know God and His son Jesus, we smile at the ignorance of their self-centeredness.
“ But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.”
Luke 22:26 ESV
Can we humble ourselves completely, and truly love those who are lost in sin as we pray for them? When the Lord asked us in scripture to pray for our enemies did we have the strength of faith necessary to obey Him, and pray that their eyes to be opened to Him through His Son Jesus? Or, was it necessary for us to be humbled further before we could do this, or taught in greater detail what it means to love as He loves before we could pray that our enemies would offer themselves fully to our Father? Was our initial humility and faith able to overcome the anger and hatred we had for those who had harmed us as we prayed the words? Have we learned to do this, and are we able to pray as we should for them now?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for perfecting us in prayer, and for teaching us to humble ourselves before you as we lift up our cares, and the needs of those around us. I thank you Lord for teaching us to pray for the arrogant and those who feel that you have nothing that they need. I thank you for showing us that you see the worth in the worthless and something to love in every soul, even of the most self-absorbed. Help us Father to pray for all men and women... even those who don’t see you, and who feel that they are mightier than others, you, and all of creation. Help us to pray today lovingly and fervently for such people. We pray that their eyes will be opened and that you will use them mightily in the fullness of their new found belief, and humility. We ask that you will focus them in a way which saves their souls, and increases your kingdom. We pray that their humbling comes gently and that their eyes are not seared by your brilliance as you perfect them. We pray that once enlightened that they will become as humble in the world as they were once proud. We pray that once they have found their knees, and dressed themselves in the garment of humility, that their prayers will find true power, and that they will realize your will for them. We pray further that their contribution to your kingdom will glorify you mightily. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who sees a glimmer of righteous hope in the darkest of sinners, and has sent your Son Jesus to kindle it, and save them. Praised be your name for redeeming us, and making us humble enough to pray for all the others who remain lost. Merciful are you who desires for us to pray for every lost sheep of the world, that they would be saved by your grace, and returned to you. Wash them as you wash us in the blood of your Son Jesus, and cast the light of the New Covenant upon them. See none of their past sins on the Day of Judgement, but only the righteousness of Christ. Bless us Father as we pray your mercy, grace, and blessings upon all the lost souls, and ask that they be returned to you.
“let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 ESV
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”
1 Timothy 2:1-5
Rich Forbes