Prayer

 From last week's lectionary come a couple of thoughts regarding prayer and praying. The first is from Hebrews 7 verse 25. This passage is speaking about the high priesthood of Jesus and comparing him to the regular high priests of the people of Israel. Verse 25 says, "Consequently, he (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Our Sikkema family has been texting a lot about prayer  in recent weeks as we have dealt with a couple of crises in our family. We have all been in prayer for the people involved. We have all commented about believing in prayer. I take comfort in knowing that the efficacy of our prayers is not based on our faith or ability to pray. My comfort and encouragement comes from the truth of Hebrews 7:25 which instructs me that Jesus is praying always for his people before God. The ESV study Bible adds this note for this verse, "Since the ever-living Christ intercedes for believers, they can have great confidence that they will never perish. In fact, they can know that "all things" in their lives will "work together for good" (Romans 8:28; one of Mom Sikkema's favorite verses), for God the Father will answer the prayers of his Son." This by the way in no way diminishes our need to be in prayer. Jesus is quoted in Luke's Gospel as saying, "we ought always to pray and not lose heart." So I pray and do not lose heart remembering that Jesus is praying with me, for me and for the requests I bring to him.

The second is from Mark 10:46-52. This is the story of the healing of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. When Jesus calls him to come to him he asks Bartimaeus this very insightful question; "What do you want me to do for you?" Again from the ESV study Bible, "Jesus asks the obvious question in order to give the blind man the opportunity to express his trust in Jesus." I believe when you and I come to Jesus in prayer he asks us the same question, "What do you want me to do for you?" I may or may not be accurate in making that application from this passage but I take encouragement and help from it. As Paul writes in Philippians 4, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

We all know that everything does not always turn out the way that we desire. Prayer is not the magic potion that produces all we seek. Prayer is casting our cares upon God knowing that God cares for us and loves us. So we keep on knocking and believing.