So there are some things that happen during the day that I feel needs to be shared. As I was working with a client this morning and we were discussing his spiritual confusion that has caused as well as stemmed from his addiction to illicit drugs. This client was saying something that I have heard several times before from other clients. He was discussing the fact that when he was going through opiate withdrawals and in the floor of his bathroom he cried out to God to help him and relieve his pain. He went on to discuss the fact that he now finds himself angry at God for not answering that prayer at that time and for his having to come for treatment and therapy. He discussed the fact that he believes but that he also does not believe.
At this statement I stopped him and began discussing the chaos that can ensue from being stuck between belief in a higher power and disbelief. Chaos in life is one element that leads to addictive behavior and illicit substance abuse (click here to view a slide show regarding the elements of addiction). As I discussed how this lack of resolve in his spiritual life is keeping chaos in his life and how dangerous this is, he stopped me. He said to me, "I just thought of something. Coming here was the answer to my prayer. I have never realized that before." I was speechless at this insight my client had just shown. So much so that I immediately dismissed him. I told him to leave my office and to leave that thought open the rest of the day. There was nothing that he and I could have done the rest of that session that would have mattered more.
I hope that we all can learn from this client. No, we don't always get exactly what we want when we pray but God does always answer our prayers.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
At His Feet
A good friend of mine called me yesterday morning and told me that he was told that his mother only has days to live. As she was in the hospital, I called my wife and asked her if she would go with me during my lunch time to visit this dear family at the local hospital. She agreed and we went. After visiting for a short time their lunch was brought into the room and we knew it was time to go. I asked if we could pray with them before we left and they said it was fine. As I began to pray it dawned on me that I was not sure if they had told the mother about the sad prognosis. I prayed a prayer of praise and just asked God that he would help all of us to live a life that glorifies Him up to all of our final breaths.
When I returned home I discussed this with my wife and she directed me to something that she had studied during her Bible study that day. In Mark 2 we are given a story of a man with palsy who four of his friends bring to Jesus for healing. Upon arrival, they find that there are so many people there that they can not reach Jesus. They decide to carry their friend to the roof and lower him down to the feet of Jesus so that Jesus may intercede and heal this man. Jesus then forgives him of his sins (the real healing that all of us need) and it is not until later when He has a need to show His power that he heals the man of his palsy. We are not told the answer but did the man with palsy even know who Jesus was or what power he had. We can say one thing for certain, the four men who carried the sick man had faith in Jesus and they literally picked up and carried their friend to Jesus because they believed that Jesus could heal the man.
Assuming that my friend and family had not yet informed his mother of her condition and even if they had, there is a direct correlation here. Through my prayer and the many other prayers that are being lifted up to God on her behalf, we are literally laying this woman at the feet of Jesus and asking that his will be done and that his healing and/or comforting power reign down. If she does not know the prognosis, we are asking Jesus for her to do something that she currently does not even know to ask for.
We can apply this in so many different areas of our lives:
1. Parents of young children - Your kids don't know the snares and dangers of this world but when we pray for them are not laying them at Jesus feet and asking Him to protect them? We know it is impossible to protect them ourselves from all the turmoil of this world. Let us all continually lay our children down
2. Friends - We all have friends who we see that are either straying from the Truth or have never known the Truth. When we pray for them we are asking that Jesus do something that they themselves may not even see to ask for.
3. The world - We live in a world that no longer knows God. Yet, we as Christians continue to lay this world and its leaders at Jesus feet and ask that He restore this world and forgive it of its sins.
4. Elders, deacons, youth minister, preachers - We are the leaders of the Lord's church. We have been chosen and are to know that when we pray for our individual congregations or members of our youth groups that we are laying them at Jesus feet. The people who just come to church are not aware of the decisions and concern that we put into our chosen duties and often times do not see the areas of concern that we must act on. We pray for guidance in this area and often times these prayers go unheard and unknown by many. Let us all lay our congregations at Jesus feet more often.
5. One another - As fellow Christians we need to pray for each other. The New Testament is laden with passages describing the trials that we as Christians go through. Do any of us think that there are disciples out there who do not feel that struggles that we personally feel? Of course not. Let us pray for one another more often and ask that Jesus will intercede in all of our lives even when our fellow Christians may forget to pray.
A final personal example of how this takes effect involves two friends of mine. One is Jason, who I am blesssed to be in the Lord's service with, and the other friend, who I will not name, is a friend who's struggles and my concern have been written about before on this blog. The friend who is struggling with life honored me and a group of men with his presence at a recent men's ministry meeting we held. There came a point where this friend was moved to confess his struggles and to ask for help and prayers. My friend Jason immediately began to pray for this man and took his struggles and laid them at Jesus feet. I don't even think that this other man knows how to pray and I am certain that he is not clear of the healing power of Jesus. I ask that all who read this will think about someone in their life who needs Jesus to intercede and lay them at His feet.
When I returned home I discussed this with my wife and she directed me to something that she had studied during her Bible study that day. In Mark 2 we are given a story of a man with palsy who four of his friends bring to Jesus for healing. Upon arrival, they find that there are so many people there that they can not reach Jesus. They decide to carry their friend to the roof and lower him down to the feet of Jesus so that Jesus may intercede and heal this man. Jesus then forgives him of his sins (the real healing that all of us need) and it is not until later when He has a need to show His power that he heals the man of his palsy. We are not told the answer but did the man with palsy even know who Jesus was or what power he had. We can say one thing for certain, the four men who carried the sick man had faith in Jesus and they literally picked up and carried their friend to Jesus because they believed that Jesus could heal the man.
Assuming that my friend and family had not yet informed his mother of her condition and even if they had, there is a direct correlation here. Through my prayer and the many other prayers that are being lifted up to God on her behalf, we are literally laying this woman at the feet of Jesus and asking that his will be done and that his healing and/or comforting power reign down. If she does not know the prognosis, we are asking Jesus for her to do something that she currently does not even know to ask for.
We can apply this in so many different areas of our lives:
1. Parents of young children - Your kids don't know the snares and dangers of this world but when we pray for them are not laying them at Jesus feet and asking Him to protect them? We know it is impossible to protect them ourselves from all the turmoil of this world. Let us all continually lay our children down
2. Friends - We all have friends who we see that are either straying from the Truth or have never known the Truth. When we pray for them we are asking that Jesus do something that they themselves may not even see to ask for.
3. The world - We live in a world that no longer knows God. Yet, we as Christians continue to lay this world and its leaders at Jesus feet and ask that He restore this world and forgive it of its sins.
4. Elders, deacons, youth minister, preachers - We are the leaders of the Lord's church. We have been chosen and are to know that when we pray for our individual congregations or members of our youth groups that we are laying them at Jesus feet. The people who just come to church are not aware of the decisions and concern that we put into our chosen duties and often times do not see the areas of concern that we must act on. We pray for guidance in this area and often times these prayers go unheard and unknown by many. Let us all lay our congregations at Jesus feet more often.
5. One another - As fellow Christians we need to pray for each other. The New Testament is laden with passages describing the trials that we as Christians go through. Do any of us think that there are disciples out there who do not feel that struggles that we personally feel? Of course not. Let us pray for one another more often and ask that Jesus will intercede in all of our lives even when our fellow Christians may forget to pray.
A final personal example of how this takes effect involves two friends of mine. One is Jason, who I am blesssed to be in the Lord's service with, and the other friend, who I will not name, is a friend who's struggles and my concern have been written about before on this blog. The friend who is struggling with life honored me and a group of men with his presence at a recent men's ministry meeting we held. There came a point where this friend was moved to confess his struggles and to ask for help and prayers. My friend Jason immediately began to pray for this man and took his struggles and laid them at Jesus feet. I don't even think that this other man knows how to pray and I am certain that he is not clear of the healing power of Jesus. I ask that all who read this will think about someone in their life who needs Jesus to intercede and lay them at His feet.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Why Wait?
Beginning in the last week of June I have seen the power of prayer in my life and other believers’ lives. Needless to say I have thought a great deal recently about the power of prayer and the Christian duty I have to pray. I am going to keep my thoughts here as brief as possible in order to avoid ranting.
I will start this with a question. How often has someone come to you and told you about a problem they are having and your response was, "I will be praying for you." Now, how many times have you followed through with that? How many times have you failed to pray for that person? Do you feel guilty over it? Have you ever even thought about it? I must confess that I am guilty of this. I have told people that I would pray for them and never even thought about it again. I feel safe in thinking that I am not the only one. Oh the excuses we have for this. Either we are too busy and it slipped our mind or they seemed to be fine when you left them. Besides, they may have gotten better so it didn't really matter did it. Why do we do this? What causes us to lie to one another in this way and let each other down? Why do we withhold the mercy that was given to us? It could be because we are only humans but I prefer to think that it is because, as my friend Jason Jarrett says, WE REALLY JUST DON'T CARE. We are too selfish to care for one another enough to remember to pray for each other as we are commanded to do. Jesus Christ Himself took time to pray for His current disciples and those of us to come when he was facing his own death and we can't remember to do it when we are facing nothing but an 8:00am tee time. I can think of no word to describe it other than pathetic.
So, I am resolved to no longer be guilty of this offense. I challenge all of you to join me in this solution as well. First, another question. When faced with a scenario where someone talks to us about a problem and either does or does not ask for prayers, what stops us from dropping whatever it is we are doing at that moment and praying with that person? Admittedly I did not closely study this before posting but I can recall no scenario where Jesus or his disciples put off offering to help someone in need. Never do we read of Jesus saying "I will keep you in My prayers." If someone had the faith to come to Him, Jesus would stop what he was doing and assist that individual. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that we must stop praying for people in private but rather praying with them in public, at that moment. Again, what stops us from doing this? Too busy? Too public? Worried they might not want that at that time? I can guarantee that if you take that individual by the hand and begin to pray, they are not going to stop you. We know the power of prayer, yet we refuse to share it. What merciless individuals have we become?
Some of us may feel too uncomfortable to do this. If so, you have a real problem with God. If you think that people who know you would be really surprised by you doing this, then you have a problem you must resolve with your Lord and Savior. If doing this would be surprising to many because they did not know you have such faith, it's time to make a change. If you just feel too embarrassed to do so, then you are not being a disciple because you are not denying yourself. Instead you are denying the mercy of Christ to someone in need. What better way to show our faith then this? I ask you if you are reading this to pray for me that I will do better in this area and that I will not put people's requests for prayers off and risk not praying for them at all. Just suppose that a miraculous occurrence comes about in a person's life after you pray with them. What a wonderful opportunity for ministry. Or better yet, suppose that your example of faith causes that individual to drop to their knees too at that time or alone and they either make a decision to become a Christian or to restore their walk. Then they tell you later that it was all because of your willingness to share your faith. All because, as my friend Randy Hargett says, you showed them the face of Jesus through your willingness to deny yourself and share your time with God with them. It's time to start caring enough to make a difference. Will you join me in doing this? What a difference we can make if we will just start caring.
I will start this with a question. How often has someone come to you and told you about a problem they are having and your response was, "I will be praying for you." Now, how many times have you followed through with that? How many times have you failed to pray for that person? Do you feel guilty over it? Have you ever even thought about it? I must confess that I am guilty of this. I have told people that I would pray for them and never even thought about it again. I feel safe in thinking that I am not the only one. Oh the excuses we have for this. Either we are too busy and it slipped our mind or they seemed to be fine when you left them. Besides, they may have gotten better so it didn't really matter did it. Why do we do this? What causes us to lie to one another in this way and let each other down? Why do we withhold the mercy that was given to us? It could be because we are only humans but I prefer to think that it is because, as my friend Jason Jarrett says, WE REALLY JUST DON'T CARE. We are too selfish to care for one another enough to remember to pray for each other as we are commanded to do. Jesus Christ Himself took time to pray for His current disciples and those of us to come when he was facing his own death and we can't remember to do it when we are facing nothing but an 8:00am tee time. I can think of no word to describe it other than pathetic.
So, I am resolved to no longer be guilty of this offense. I challenge all of you to join me in this solution as well. First, another question. When faced with a scenario where someone talks to us about a problem and either does or does not ask for prayers, what stops us from dropping whatever it is we are doing at that moment and praying with that person? Admittedly I did not closely study this before posting but I can recall no scenario where Jesus or his disciples put off offering to help someone in need. Never do we read of Jesus saying "I will keep you in My prayers." If someone had the faith to come to Him, Jesus would stop what he was doing and assist that individual. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that we must stop praying for people in private but rather praying with them in public, at that moment. Again, what stops us from doing this? Too busy? Too public? Worried they might not want that at that time? I can guarantee that if you take that individual by the hand and begin to pray, they are not going to stop you. We know the power of prayer, yet we refuse to share it. What merciless individuals have we become?
Some of us may feel too uncomfortable to do this. If so, you have a real problem with God. If you think that people who know you would be really surprised by you doing this, then you have a problem you must resolve with your Lord and Savior. If doing this would be surprising to many because they did not know you have such faith, it's time to make a change. If you just feel too embarrassed to do so, then you are not being a disciple because you are not denying yourself. Instead you are denying the mercy of Christ to someone in need. What better way to show our faith then this? I ask you if you are reading this to pray for me that I will do better in this area and that I will not put people's requests for prayers off and risk not praying for them at all. Just suppose that a miraculous occurrence comes about in a person's life after you pray with them. What a wonderful opportunity for ministry. Or better yet, suppose that your example of faith causes that individual to drop to their knees too at that time or alone and they either make a decision to become a Christian or to restore their walk. Then they tell you later that it was all because of your willingness to share your faith. All because, as my friend Randy Hargett says, you showed them the face of Jesus through your willingness to deny yourself and share your time with God with them. It's time to start caring enough to make a difference. Will you join me in doing this? What a difference we can make if we will just start caring.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A Confession
Those of you who read this know that at the first of last month that I was going to do a better job of listening to the whisper of the Holy Spirit in my life and acting upon it. You can read that post here. Well, it has not taken me very long to slip in this effort and my heart is very pained over my failure.
Let me explain. I was called by a dear friend last Monday morning on my way in to the office. To make a long story short, my friend was confiding in me that he has lost control of his life due to a battle with alcohol and Rx drugs. This friend is at the point where he realizes he needs help and that he is in danger of losing those around him who he loves. I talked to him and told him that I would be there for him socially as I can not ethically offer him professional assistance other than referrals. I also told him what every "good Christian" would say: "I'll be praying for you." I did pray for him too, several times. I have invited him to some church functions and spoken with him two times since then and he reports positive progress but I continue to be worried about him.
Here is where my heart has been convicted. Since having that conversation the Holy Spirit has placed the thought in my head several times (I think it's 5 times to be exact), to get my wife in the car and drive to my friend's house and pray with him and for him there. I don't know why I have been moved to do this or if anything will be accomplished by it, just that I should do it. Sadly, I have ignored this up to this point. I think that by ignoring this thought that could only come from that which is Holy was sinful and I am confessing of that sin. My reason for thinking this comes from James 2: 8-13. In this passage James is admonishing his readers about showing favoritism regarding who they worship with and who they offer the gospel message to. He points out that by doing this it makes you no better off than a murderer or adulterer because you did not show mercy and do what you have been called to do as a Christian. I had so many excuses not to go and pray with my friend, some of which being: “I need to finish cutting the grass,” “He wouldn’t want to be disturbed,” and even “What if he’s drinking when I get there?” How lame are those excuses? I should be there now as a matter of fact. I should have gone there as soon as he first called me, but I didn’t and I have not shown the mercy that God has had on me to this person that I call a friend.
I realize that before I can fully repent of this sin I must go there and offer to pray with him, not pray for him on my own time, but pray with him. I know in my heart that God can pull my friend from his despair, yet I am withholding the power of prayer that God has given to me. I am truly sorry and I will make this right.
If you are my friend that I am referring to in this writing please read this carefully: I love you very much. I can not help you professionally and I can only offer to you that which has rescued me from the same struggles that you are having. Christ is knocking at your door and he can pull your head above the water. Know that I have prayed for you and I am praying as I write this but all that I can do is show you how Jesus has loved me and tell you that He loves you the same and that He is waiting on you to make your decision to come to Him and lay this burden on Him. You are an answer to my prayers because I pray that God will send me opportunities to minister to people. I am sorry for not fulfilling my duty and I ask that you please forgive me and pray for me as well.
I also am praying that all of you who read this begin having a more active prayer life. I will write more thoughts on this in the coming days. Until then, have a blessed day.
Let me explain. I was called by a dear friend last Monday morning on my way in to the office. To make a long story short, my friend was confiding in me that he has lost control of his life due to a battle with alcohol and Rx drugs. This friend is at the point where he realizes he needs help and that he is in danger of losing those around him who he loves. I talked to him and told him that I would be there for him socially as I can not ethically offer him professional assistance other than referrals. I also told him what every "good Christian" would say: "I'll be praying for you." I did pray for him too, several times. I have invited him to some church functions and spoken with him two times since then and he reports positive progress but I continue to be worried about him.
Here is where my heart has been convicted. Since having that conversation the Holy Spirit has placed the thought in my head several times (I think it's 5 times to be exact), to get my wife in the car and drive to my friend's house and pray with him and for him there. I don't know why I have been moved to do this or if anything will be accomplished by it, just that I should do it. Sadly, I have ignored this up to this point. I think that by ignoring this thought that could only come from that which is Holy was sinful and I am confessing of that sin. My reason for thinking this comes from James 2: 8-13. In this passage James is admonishing his readers about showing favoritism regarding who they worship with and who they offer the gospel message to. He points out that by doing this it makes you no better off than a murderer or adulterer because you did not show mercy and do what you have been called to do as a Christian. I had so many excuses not to go and pray with my friend, some of which being: “I need to finish cutting the grass,” “He wouldn’t want to be disturbed,” and even “What if he’s drinking when I get there?” How lame are those excuses? I should be there now as a matter of fact. I should have gone there as soon as he first called me, but I didn’t and I have not shown the mercy that God has had on me to this person that I call a friend.
I realize that before I can fully repent of this sin I must go there and offer to pray with him, not pray for him on my own time, but pray with him. I know in my heart that God can pull my friend from his despair, yet I am withholding the power of prayer that God has given to me. I am truly sorry and I will make this right.
If you are my friend that I am referring to in this writing please read this carefully: I love you very much. I can not help you professionally and I can only offer to you that which has rescued me from the same struggles that you are having. Christ is knocking at your door and he can pull your head above the water. Know that I have prayed for you and I am praying as I write this but all that I can do is show you how Jesus has loved me and tell you that He loves you the same and that He is waiting on you to make your decision to come to Him and lay this burden on Him. You are an answer to my prayers because I pray that God will send me opportunities to minister to people. I am sorry for not fulfilling my duty and I ask that you please forgive me and pray for me as well.
I also am praying that all of you who read this begin having a more active prayer life. I will write more thoughts on this in the coming days. Until then, have a blessed day.
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