PRAY

10-20-08

SCRIPTURE
"So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God." (Acts 12:5)

"And when she recognized Peter's voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. And they said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. And they kept saying, "It is his angel." But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed." (Acts 12:14-16)

OBSERVATION
I can so relate to this. I have great intentions to pray fervently…but after a while, my prayers become mundane... repeating phrases I was taught as a kid “Thank you for this day” “Help me to…” type prayers. It’s really interesting, here, how in just a few short verses the "fervent prayers" of the saints for Peter's release turned into such an apathetic response. James had just been executed and it seemed that Peter was next. The urgency of the moment prompted a call for some desperate prayers and so they did. But, when the urgent became the mundane, apparently so did their faith. Their fervency faded. Their passion dissipated into one of disbelief. And I am so much like them.

What surprises me is how quickly they seemed to change in their attitude and belief about God's ability to answer their prayers. There was almost an unbelief to their belief much like the father in Mark 9:24, who when pleading with Jesus to heal his son, confessed "I do believe, help my unbelief."

But aren't we the same in many respects when it comes to our prayers to God – when the situation calls for desperate prayers, we cry out. But, when the urgency has passed, we fall back into our mundane prayer life…repeating the same sentences out of habit. It’s almost an unbelieving belief that God will answer our requests.

Our tendency is to do the same when it comes to our prayers for our finances, for physical healings, for restoration of relationships that haven't yet resolved themselves. It seems time has a way of washing away our passion for that which we initially petitioned before the Lord with urgency.

But, our prayers and the fervency by which we pray shouldn't be dictated by our circumstances, or by the passing of time. When we pray, shouldn't it be based on a faith that God will indeed answer? And when He does answer, shouldn't we be thankful rather than amazed?

APPLICATION
Today, I created a FACEBOOK page that will hopefully help connect prayer requests of people with pray-ers. Feel free to check it out and let the prayers flow. In the mean time, there are times when my unbelieving belief gets in the way of standing firm on the faithfulness of my God. The greatest opposition to my prayers isn't necessarily Satan, or anyone else; it's my unbelief that God can do exactly what He says He will do. It really comes down to my belief that God is good. So, even if my prayers don’t get the answer I was looking for from God…can I still believe that God is good? I cannot allow my faith to be dictated by my circumstances. I must trust in an unfailing, faithful and good God with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding.

PRAYER
Father, forgive me for allowing my circumstances to dictate the level of my faith in my prayers to you. I do believe; help my unbelief. Just as You have instructed, to "ask, seek and knock" I will keep believing. Thank you for being my faithful Father.