But then God...

I had a terrific opportunity to connect with a friend in the UK via Facebook chat this morning. The conversation surrounding what we are doing now, work, where we are living and family, leads me to remember the faithfulness of God.

I think of our (Jenny & I) children  and realise how wonderfully blessed we are. That blessing reflects the graciousness and faithfulness of God. I have always wanted that they are solid in their own faith, have good partners (Christian) in their lives and enjoying life (happy & fulfilled). 

Well, both our girls are married and their partners in life are great guys. They are loved, have fulfilling jobs and are very happy. They enjoy life and family and friends over anything else.

Our son has had a challenging time the past month or two. For him it was like the whole world was collapsing around him, all that he loved and hoped for. It is hard when you just want to say it will be ok and embrace them and care for them in your home. Easier said than done from a distance and when you are living in trust and in hope. You commit it all, commit them all in prayer to God, again, trusting, hoping and believing. Time tests you, makes you wonder, allows room for some doubt, wondering...

But then God...  back to the beginning, faithful always. Prayers answered. A house with some mates to share with. Some good final gig's for a couple of bands he has been in. A tour to commence in three states this coming week. God IS good! 

Not detracting from the faithfulness of God, I am grateful for the faithful people (some of you) who have been prayer warriors alongside us. Those willing to remember our children before the Lord and pray - 'thank you!'

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness - always! Keep our children/families close to Your heart, protecting, comforting, caring and empowering them for ministry and life - thank you!

Anxious prayer ...

As I read the following Psalm, I was lead to think of the first sentence in parallel with the prayer of a flight of people upon an aircraft today who not long after take-off had an engine catch fire and force them to dump fuel and return back to an airport other than it's destination. As you might imagine, for many of the people on board this was an anxious moment. They were unsure as to what might happen. They had reason to wonder whether this might be the last flight they would ever take, and even the news recorded, many of them prayed.

Psalm 70:1-5 (New Living Translation)
For the choir director: A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.

1 Please, God, rescue me!

Come quickly, Lord, and help me.

2 May those who try to kill me

be humiliated and put to shame.

May those who take delight in my trouble

be turned back in disgrace.

3 Let them be horrified by their shame,

for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

4 But may all who search for you

be filled with joy and gladness in you.

May those who love your salvation

repeatedly shout, “God is great!”

5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;

please hurry to my aid, O God.

You are my helper and my savior;

O Lord, do not delay.

There is a part of me that might want to respond, yeah pray when your life is at risk. But then I stop a moment and here is my prayer:

Father, I pray that in the prayers of these people, whether they were people who knew You or not, that these people today would recognise You as the living God. They would believe their prayers to have been answered. that in these fleeting moments, they might have seen something, even a mere glimpse of who You are and they now believe.

It is so easy for me to become cynical and down on those who turn to God when something isn't right in their lives, but I hope I am learning more and more to see the possibilities that exist. That even in these moments god can act and can be seen and that people can believe. That is what I ultimately want, people to turn to God and experience Him like I do. I hope you want this too.

Intensity of prayer ...

Prayer Coach - emphasis is given to the passion that ought to be in our praying. Not a gutless, tentative approach, sort of hoping that God will maybe hear, even answer our request and come to our aid.

James Nicodem (the author of Prayer Coach), encourages us, challenges us, to get some seriousness into our praying. He uses words like, definition, desperation, fervency, earnestness, enthusiasm and zeal (to name a few).

We know from our examination of the Scriptures that God listens to the "cry" of His people. Allow your emotion to show before God, let Him see your hearts serious desire. He (James Nicodem) suggests at one point that, "perhaps our prayers lack definition because our hearts lack faith."

What is it we believe? Do we have the faith to believe that God can in fact do anything. I am not sure about you, but for me, this challenges me.

"Father, You love me. You desire only good for me. You want that I might test and see how good You are, how powerful and able to meet my every need. Father, help my unbelief."

What do you do with your joy ...

Back to my Prayer Coach ...

He (James L. Nicodem) poses the question in relation to those times when you have experienced something good, something joyful, what do you do? Are you like me and you have a tendency to be on the phone to a mate to let them know? It is great to receive good news and it is terrific to be able to share it with another, especially if they are a good friend who really is going to share in the joy with you.

Here's the challenge though:- do you remember the One to whom the joy might be attributed? Do you thank the creator for the stunning sunset, or the magical sight of the rainbow? Do you share your highs and excitement and joy with your God?

Throughout the Scripture there are examples of something special happening and the people letting loose and letting God know their delight and thankfulness, even better, they remember Him to be the source, and praise Him first and foremost.

This is the challenge for me. That God receive my acknowledgement. That God hear my joy. That I desire to share all these good and wondrous and marvelous things with Him. There is much to sing praise for (though this voice might not be the best instrument to do that) and He desires to be in on this celebrating.

"Lord, hear our praises as they rise up to You."

As if ...

I am reading this amazing book at present, it is not rocket science in it's content, but so profound in its simplicity, "Prayer Coach - for all who want to get off the bench and onto the praying field" by James L Nicodem. I am sure we are going to be sharing from this book over time.

Today's challenge (for me), was the thought of praying for others, "as if" I were in the same circumstance.

Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

I know that I have prayed for people in the past who have been suffering hard times, trials, even persecution. However, I am sure I have not thought about it to the extent of what it was really like, entering into their world, as if  it was me experiencing these things. How different my prayers might have been, and will be in the future.

How do we remember - by praying. Nicodem says, "a love for these brothers and sisters doesn't lead to praying so much as praying leads to a love for these brothers and sisters."

This is my journey, it is my desire. I want to be on the praying field, I want this to be different.