07/09/2024
This morning we are contemplating the delays and denials we experience in prayer, but even more, we will visit the courage and persistence needed in such times. My morning devotional reading described these occurrences in prayer using these words:
"We need to give thought to the mysterious fact of prayer - the certainty that there will be delays and denials. We must prepare for and permit these delays and denials." – E. M. Bounds
Bounds acknowledged, as fact, something every praying Christian has encountered in their journey of faith through prayer. There are times when it either takes a while for our prayers to be answered, or our Father denies us a request. In these times of prayer when the lack of God's immediate action causes us to search our desires more deeply, Bounds encourages our persistence.
"The praying Christian is like a brave soldier who, as the conflict grows more severe, exhibits more courage. When delay and denial come, he increases his earnest asking and does not stop until prayer prevails." – E. M. Bounds
We have discussed, in prior days, the need to inspect our prayers that are met with delay or denial to insure we are praying within God's will for us, and to adjust our prayers as necessary or to even change ourselves to accommodate His will before we proceed any further. God teaches us, and shapes our character, through prayer.
This morning, Bounds uses the word courage again... I need to hear that word over and over as I enter my prayer closet (which for me begins in the predawn hours in a quiet chair). It takes courage to pray; to ask God for things that will alter our future, change our fortunes, and quite possibly challenge the way we believe. When we pray we ask God to fulfill our desires, but not all of them are innocuous. Some of them seem simple, and yet they begin a chain of events that can prove disastrous for us or others. But our faith and trust is that God is good. Scripture reads:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 KJV
We like to envision all things being good for us, but sometimes we ask (as naive children are prone to do) for things that at first blush appear good, but actually will not be good. Thankfully, our God knows the beginning from the end, and uses that knowledge to either lead us into modifying our request, or to justify denying it altogether.
Years ago I watched a chess match on television... It was the Russian Boris Spassky versus the American Bobby Fisher. In the end Fisher won and became the greatest chess player of all time, but what was most impressive was his ability to visualize future moves and all of their permutations. No one was ever able to ascertain the actual number of moves ahead he could visualize, but he did play simultaneous speed matches against 22 opponents and at the end of the exhibition he remembered every move of every game... Over 1000. Fisher's I.Q. Was 180.
God on the other hand sees EVERY permutation throughout eternity, and every scenario from the beginning to the end; He remembers everything that has, will, or could happen. From this vantage point He directs us in prayer and faith.
It takes courage to step in many of the directions that God leads us, and it takes persistence in praying for His instruction, and indeed, His will. Bounds touched on this when he wrote:
"There can be no question about persistent prayer moving God and improving human character. If we were more in agreement with God in the command of intercession, our faces would shine more brightly." – E. M. Bounds
Bounds liked to think that our prayers move God, but is that really the case... Or is God changing us in preparation for His eventual movement?
This morning when we pray let's have courage; let's ask God to lead us to that place in our practice of faith where we can trust Him completely, and from which He can direct our every step. We know the general direction that we desire to move in, but God knows every snare or pitfall along that way. He can place our feet where they will never slip, and guide us through all obstacles. Lord keep me and lead me on.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Psalms 121:1-8 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your perfect will that guides me in my prayers, and keeps me safe from greater harm, and disastrous eventualities as you do so. Thank you Father for the changes you make to my heart, mind, and soul as you hear my prayers and transform me through them into a more perfect image of Christ, and you. Help me Lord to hear you small still voice as I pray, and feel the movement of your Holy Spirit as he gives me understanding, and a clear remembrance of your Word. You steady me Father, and will not allow my foot to slip as I climb your Holy Mountain, and seek your presence. You know my every step, even before I take it, and give me safe passage through my life as I follow after your Son Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who was, and is, and is to come. Holy are you who transforms me from that imperfect person I once believed to be good into one who has been perfected by your goodness. You are glorified in this way Lord, and I honor you for your efforts on my behalf, and on the part of every person for whom I pray. Praised be your name for guiding me in my faith, and for every new morning in which I find it refreshed. Hear this my prayer today, that you will find it to be the beginning of a new lesson, and a more perfect good in me. Lead me as I strive to obey your will, and please you as I do so. In this, and every other prayer I lift up to you, I want to thank you for your mercy and grace that forms me, and teaches me of your character. This is the day that you have made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it... glad am I in my answered prayers, and in those that are not, but that show me your will more perfectly, and which lead me in the way I should walk… with, and in, you forevermore.
Hallelujah, and Amen!
Rich Forbes