Ezekiel: Embittered and Overwhelmed

 

As I continue to study through the book of Ezekiel with the rest of my Sunday School class, the Lord continues to open my eyes to this man and the book he wrote. I think I’m pretty similar to most Christians in recognizing prophets as special men who called Israel back to God’s righteous standard and were also righteous men themselves. In modern vernacular, they were hard-core. Or as I would say of late, they “kept it real”. They were true to their word.

 

 

 

Prophets hold an special honor in Scripture. In Hebrews, we read,

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated men of whom the world was not worthy, wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. (Heb. 11:37-38)

Though I wholeheartedly admire these men, my ignorance of them has made it difficult for me to see them three-dimensionally. That is, I don’t think of them as flesh and blood. I can’t tell you much of how they developed as people throughout their years of prophecy. I can’t tell you much of their failures or insecurities, other than vague generalizations. But today, I became more sympathetic with the prophet Ezekiel than I expected. In chapter three, we see a striking description of him which reveals to me both the depth of his character as well as the reality of his frailty.

A lot of us are familiar with the famous “wheel within a wheel” vision of God Ezekiel has in the first chapter. We gather it was some sort of brilliant, overwhelming, machine-like appearance of God similar to Isaiah’s vision in the sixth chapter of his book.

In the second chapter, we read of his calling, summed up verse 8, “But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Then God continues,

But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are…Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says,” whether they listen or fail to listen.

The first action we see from Ezekiel after his vision of God is far different from what we see from Isaiah. After Isaiah sees God in all his glory, he goes boldly to Ahaz, saying, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of God also?” (7:13)

But we see Ezekiel virtually incapacitated after his own vision.

Consider this,

The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where the were living, I sat among them for seven days – overwhelmed. (Ezekiel 3:14-15)

~

One of my passions is to find the dirty details in Scripture. Oh, I love the fiery rebukes from the prophets, but it doesn’t seem like we spend enough time examining the less “preachy-sounding” details of the word of God.

Consider Psalm 22. While it is certainly best understood in terms of its prophetic value, do we ever read it as David’s personal plea to a God whom he feels has abandoned him? Or do we only care about it inasmuch as we can see its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s death? I’m not suggesting we should neglect an ultimate focus on Christ as we study God’s word, but we get more spiritual food when we are willing to see the immediate meaning of the text as well as its ultimate significance.

I had a double-take when I read through all of this. Going through this section a second time, words like “bitterness”, “anger of my spirit”, and “overwhelmed” stuck out to me. Though my life on this earth is nothing compared with Ezekiel’s (at least in the last 24 years of my life), I realized I was reading about someone a lot like me.

Now think about Ezekiel’s condition at this point in his life:

In the first chapter we read that he had just turned 30. While I don’t know really anything about his hopes and ambitions at this point, I think its safe to assume that Ezekiel had different plans than becoming a marked man of God to a rebellious people. Not only was he bitter, he was overwhelmed. I imagine he must’ve felt something like post-traumatic stress syndrome, having seen a powerful vision of a wrathful, holy God who was prepared to exact judgment on backsliding Israel. If you can fully understand his vision, you’ve done more than any other reader of the Bible. Over and over, Ezekiel must resort to similes as normal human experiences are quite inadequate to convey the full magnificence and terror he observed.

So Ezekiel, the mighty prophet, had a very understandable response: he was shocked and upset.

Despite this, he did not lash out at God.

All we know he did was sit “among his people”, waiting for God to reveal whatever happened next.

Are you willing to wait in times of hardship? Do you understand God has a plan, even if you do not know it?

Consider the words of Jeremiah:

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.
It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the LORD.
It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke in his youth.
Let him sit alone and be silent Since He has laid it on him.
Let him put his mouth in the dust,
Perhaps there is hope.
Let him give his cheek to the smiter,
Let him be filled with reproach.
For the Lord will not reject forever,
For if He causes grief,
Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness.
For He does not afflict willingly
Or grieve the sons of men.
To crush under His feet all the prisoners of the land,
To deprive a man of justice In the presence of the Most High,
To defraud a man in his lawsuit–
Of these things the Lord does not approve.

Lamentations 3:25-36

A Minute with Henry on Evil Thoughts

As we examine the sermon “The Indispensable Duty of Loving Our Enemies”, we see that, after Scougal makes a thorough exposition of the Luke 6:27, he then tells us how to love our enemies. He writes, “the nature and measures of this love will more fully appear, if we consider what it does exclude, and what it does imply.” This excerpt is the first of five excluded qualities.

As I read this, the deception of my own heart began to unfold. I realized how often I sin in my heart against people whom I wouldn’t even classify as “enemies”. I deeply appreciate how Scougal uses his keen understanding of the human condition alongside his encyclopedic knowledge of God’s word to apply a simple passage in a very convicting way.

~

Luke VI. 27.

But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies.

First, then, it excludes all harsh thoughts and groundless suspicions. The Apostle telleth us, that charity thinketh no evil; that it hopeth all things, believeth all things. To entertain, with pleasure, every bad report of those who have offended us, and to put the worst construction on their doubtful actions, is both a clear evidence of our hatred, and an unhappy method to continue it. Were once the love we recommend seated in the soul, it would soon cast out those restless jealousies, sour suspicions, harsh surmises, and embittered thoughts; and display itself in a more candid and gentle disposition; in fair glosses, and friendly censures; in a favourable extenuation of greater faults, and covering of lesser. It would make a man interpret all things in the best meaning they are capable of; and choose rather to be mistaken to his own prejudice, by a too favourable opinion, than to his neighbour’s, by a groundless jealousy. And even in this sense, it may be, that charity covereth a multitude of sins.

“God, look at my boat!”

Ironically, I’ve been telling my friends lately how much I’d like to have a sailboat…maybe I’ll put that on hold.

How (not) to Respond

 

 

 

 

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him.

Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:4-5

 

 

 

 

It’s so easy to respond, but so difficult to respond the right way.

Over the past few months, I have gravitated toward several blogs written by profound men of the faith. Most of them regularly focus on current issues which have generated controversy in the evangelical world. What encourages me is that the writers have learned how not to let their theological opponents define the core assumptions of the argument.

Most notable is Doug Wilson, in his excellent debate with Christopher Hitchens. As I read through this debate, I kept retracing Wilson’s steps as he carefully navigated to the core assumptions of Hitchens’ points and questioned their validity. The written debate is far superior to the spoken one, because it is much more difficult to wield text in a deceptive way than it is the spoken word. Wilson went through Hitchens’ arguments methodically in a way that made sense to his reader.

It takes courage, no doubt, to embark upon such a debate. But I appreciated how biblical Wilson’s approach was. He did not seek to embarrass Hitchens, condescend, or write merely in a way Christians the would get Christians to agree with him. His responses answered Hitchens’ folly as his folly deserved. In short, Hitchens argued from a naturalistic world-view that Christianity corrupts human activity. Wilson responded by showing that a naturalistic world-view carries no certain condemnation of anything, so Hitchens’ attack on Christianity (or even on hypocritical Christians) carries no weight other than Hitchens’ own moral prejudices, which have no authoritative basis.

~

In the realm of ideological battle, it takes skill to argue like Wilson does. But I believe it takes even more skill to practice Proverbs 26:4-5 in day-to-day human relationships. How should you respond when someone criticizes your character or conduct? How should you voice such criticisms when you see folly in other people?

A few verses come to mind:

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) If you’re going to respond to either someone’s offense or criticism (or offensive criticism), God would have you be gentle. This is difficult for me because I’m very quick to vindicate myself with passion. But oftentimes the truth is veiled by such enthusiasm for one’s own cause. It is much more likely that if you’re right, someone will see that if you present your case gently.

Another verse which speaks to this matter is Proverbs 15:28: “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” It bears a close similarity to James 1:19-20 “…But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” A biblical response ponders, but this pondering is not aimless, thoughtless, or insincere; rather, the man or woman of God ponders how to answer. Take some time, weigh the different viewpoints in your mind. Examine them carefully and slowly. Even when things seem clear, your audience will appreciate this more than a quick retort.

How about Proverbs 23:9: “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” Ever thought of silence as an option? If you think the person you’re talking to is a fool…

One thing to not do: “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.” (Proverbs 20:19) Gossiping is condemned in five different epistles in the NT. The Bible teaches that those juicy nuggets are the product of slanderous people. If you see folly in someone else, the first thing you should do is take it to them personally; you should never tell others who would have their perception of that person lowered by learning about it (James 4:11). Jesus said, “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” (Matthew 18:15) Only after that fails are we to tell someone else (v. 16) and try to resolve the matter. Finally, if that fails, we should notify the church (v. 17).

I think Galations 5:25-6:5 aptly summarizes the main principles in Scripture about responding to folly:

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.

How he Ran

 

Sometimes I don’t want to cite verses. The numbers we use to order Scripture often have a way of distancing us from the text. Paul wrote some letters to a really disobedient church. You’re reading a section a little more than halfway through the second letter. Each word of this is the breath of God, as well as the writing of Paul.

 

 

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.

Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.

~

We finished our last softball game yesterday. It was a loss, but only by about 11 this time.

Sometimes we lose really hard (20+ runs). When people try to play well, I verbalize my appreciation; when our play is lackluster, someone who is tuned-in to my body-language would likely detect my frustration. Today, I didn’t even feel bad, I had a fun time playing shortstop and singing “Don’t Worry Baby” with our second baseman.

Ultimately, all I want is for people to hustle…and yeah…have fun. But I can’t have fun without hustling.

Forgetting my rationalization for my feelings about softball, let me just say that if there’s one game you can never take too seriously, it’s the race that God has for every believer. If Paul were writing to me about this game, I know he wouldn’t say that I cared too much about it; he’d exhort me to care much more than I do.

When was the last time I hung my head because of my failure to place God first?

Have I turned my head to the sky wondering when I’ll ever care enough for my friends who haven’t experienced the grace and forgiveness of the Savior?

Do I encourage my friends to run hard as they struggle to do righteousness?

Does their overcoming become my victory?

I think we could all stand to re-evaluate our seriousness about running the race of faith.

Modern Puritan Prayer II

You are the blessed God,
happy in yourself,
and the source of happiness in your creatures.
Our maker, benefactor, proprietor, upholder,
You have produced and sustained us,
supported and indulged us,
saved and kept us.

In every situation, you meet our needs and miseries.
May we live by you,
live for you,
and never be satisfied with our Christian progress
until we resemble Christ;
May conformity to His principles, temper, and conduct
grow hourly in our lives.
Let your love constrain us into holy obedience,
and render our duty our delight.

If others deem our faith folly,
our meekness infirmity,
our zeal madness,
our hope delusion,
our actions hypocrisy,
may we rejoice to suffer for your name.

Support us by the strength of heaven
that we may never turn back or desire false pleasures
that wilt and disappear into nothing.
As we pursue our heavenly journey by your grace,
let us be known as a people with no aim
but that of a burning desire for you,
and the good and salvation of others.

Words for the Sufferer

In America, we seldom struggle as much the apostle Paul or anyone else in the New Testament. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t struggles for the believer in America. After all, we are not commanded to live in any geographical area, but rather to honor God regardless of our environment. It is the intensity of this relationship with God that will bring about our suffering in any circumstance.

Additionally, the trials of a believer are not exclusive to his or her interaction with the outside, unbelieving world. It seems Paul is more concerned with solving problems within the church than offense it experiences from the outside world. Paul himself wrote of the abandonment he experienced from people whom he thought of as his spiritual family:

“…for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessolonica – Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.”

“…Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm.”

“…At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me.” (NKJV)
2 Timothy 4:9-16

Confronted with abandonment from many of his supposed spiritual allies, did Paul press on alone? It would seem to be the burden of the Christian to be in that position from time to time doesn’t it? Paul corrects our view of such matters:

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might fully be preached through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:17-18

Paul would not have us believe he was the only one whom God would preserve in such a way. In Romans 8, he emphatically proclaims,

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

~

What’s interesting to me in those passages is that Paul specifically names Christ as the member of the trinity who ministers to us amidst tribulation. Were I left to my own logic, I’d think the Holy Spirit, who indwells us and seals us for everlasting salvation, would be the one who lovingly stands with us. But I’ve forgotten that Christ is our high priest (Hebrews 4:14), who “was in all points tempted as we are, yet was without sin.” The writer of Hebrews goes on to say,

Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (7:25)

Over and over again in the NT, we see that our companion, our constant source of sympathy, our ultimate provider of salvation, is Christ. He is actively involved in our lives amidst suffering. I hasten to say that every moment we doubt God’s provision in hard times is a moment in which we shame our Savior.

Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

If you are in a trial, or you sense one is on the horizon, though you may not see him, feel him, or hear him, recognize that Jesus stands with you, strengthens you, makes intercession for you, and consoles you. Through him you will overcome.

A Minute with Henry on Religion

I spent some time hiking with a man who practiced many of the contemplative and introspective aspects of Buddhism last week. More than once, he explained that he believes the self is perfected through constant reflection and meditation. “What is your ultimate example of this?” I asked. “Even the Buddha said that to make him the ultimate example would mislead others, because they need to find enlightenment through themselves, on their own journey,” he responded.

Fortunately, for the Christian, we are not left unto the dreadful prospect of finding our ultimate understanding of perfection within ourselves. In this excerpt from Scougal’s “The Life of God in the Soul of Man”, he carries us through several misinterpretations of Christian religion, until he reveals the true, Bible-based description of what it is.

I hasten to point out how accurate many of the false pretenses of religion which he presents are still apt descriptions of the distortions of Christianity that prevail today. For this reason, I believe we do well to think for a minute with Henry on the topic of religion.

~

I cannot speak of religion, but I must lament, that among so many pretenders to it, so few understand what it means: some placing it in the understanding, in orthodox notions and opinions; and all the account they can give of their religion is, that they are of this and the other persuasion, and have joined themselves to one of those many sects whereinto Christendom is most unhappily divided. Others place it in the outward man, in a constant course of external duties, and a model of performances. If they live peaceably with their neighbors, keep a temperate diet, observe the returns of worship, frequenting the church, or their closet, and sometimes extend their hands to the relief of the poor, they think they have sufficiently acquitted themselves. Others again put all religion in the affections, in rapturous hearts, and ecstatic devotion; and all they aim at is, to pray with passion, and to think of heaven with pleasure, and to be affected with those kind and melting expressions wherewith they court their Saviour, till they persuade themselves they are mightily in love with him, and from thence assume a great confidence of their salvation, which they esteem the chief of Christian graces.

Thus are these things which have any resemblance of piety, and at the best are but means of obtaining it, or particular exercises of it, frequently mistaken for the whole of religion: nay, sometimes wickedness and vice pretend to that name. I speak not new of those gross impieties wherewith the Heathens were wont to worship their gods. There are but too many Christians who would consecrate their vices, and follow their corrupt affections, whose rugged humour and sullen pride must pass for Christian severity; whose fierce wrath, and bitter rage against their enemies, must be called holy zeal; whose petulancy towards their superiors, or rebellion against their governors, must have the name of Christian courage and resolution.

But certainly religion is quite another thing, and they who are acquainted with it will entertain far different thoughts, and disdain all those shadows and false imitations of it. They know by experience that true religion is a union of the soul with God, a real participation of the divine nature, the very image of God drawn upon the soul, or, in the apostle’s phrase, “It is Christ formed within us.”

Ezekiel’s Call

A few days ago, I read a blog written by Phil Johnson, in which he briefly discussed the topic of pleading with others to come to Christ. While I’ve heard that we should do this, I wouldn’t characterize my evangelism as “pleading”. On the contrary, when I share the gospel, I would characterize it more like “reasoning”, “discussing”, or “sharing”. It’s always seemed to me that pleading is at odds with discussing.

See, when I share the gospel, I never plan on ending the conversation by saying, “Will you please believe in this? Will you put all your faith in what Christ has done on the cross? Will you accept what I have told you?” I think one of the reasons I don’t do that is because it’s incredibly awkward. I realize I’m not the most agreeable, charitable person in conversation, plus I know I come off as argumentative when I don’t even mean to be. So why should I compound the gospel with my own overbearing, emotive appeals?

On the theological side, I believe Scripture is clear that it’s not our will that brings people to know Jesus as lord and savior. So pleading, in a way, seemed to me to be taking God’s work into my own hands. For a long time, I’ve thought that if I simply present the truth to people in a clear way, that’s all I need to do. God will do the rest in their heart; and hopefully one day, they will place their trust in him.

As I thought about this yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised by my current study of the book of Ezekiel. In the beginning of the second chapter, Ezekiel describes his call by God to be a prophet.

Then He said to me,

“Son of man, stand on your feet that I may speak with you!”

As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me.
Then He said to me,

“Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to a rebellious people who have rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’

As for them, whether they listen or not–for they are a rebellious house–they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.” (NASB) Ezekiel 2:1-7

There are two parts of this commission that struck me. The first part is the way in which Ezekiel is commanded to minister, the second part is the attitude he is commanded to have while he ministers.

God tells him, “…you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’” There is a special responsibility God has given Ezekiel, that is, to speak his words directly to the people of Israel. God has the sole authority over not only Israel, but all men, and for Ezekiel to speak from God makes his words compelling upon them for change.

He then warns Ezekiel that, since Israel is a rebellious people, it is likely he will be rejected. Even still, God’s command remains, “But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious.” The response of the people of Israel should not determine the content of what he says. Though they may be rebellious and threatening, Ezekiel’s message has a divine origin and must therefore be preached.

I think the section of scripture from which Phil Johnson gave his brief exhortation fitted perfectly with what I’ve been reading in Ezekiel,

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

In light of these passages, I think the best way to plead with sinners to come to Christ is to directly quote the passages of the Bible in which God himself pleads with us to be reconciled to him, such as this one. After all, the authority does not rest with me or my will, but with God’s. Who better to plead with humans than their creator? But in all this, God has chosen me to give breath to his Word, making his plea to others using my lungs.

If anyone else who reads this had other thoughts, passages, or experiences that shed light into this, I would appreciate hearing what you have to say.

The Concert of Prayer

Every first Sunday of the month, my church gathers in the evening for the “Concert of Prayer”. Instead of a sermon we all cluster together in 4-5 groups of 12 to pray for the various needs and praises we have. Topics include organizations and missionaries we support, government leaders, needs within the local church… and just about anything else you care to share in the group you’re in.

A couple months ago, our pastor lamented how few people in our church show up for the Concert of Prayer. He said the only reason people most people didn’t have time for it was because they didn’t make time for it. He said that principle of having time by making time applied to many things we put off in order to do something else.

This message was a kick in the pants for me. Time and time again, I have filled out my availability sheet at work in such a way that virtually guaranteed my working until 7pm on Sundays (the evening service starts at 6). If I had a girlfriend who wanted to hang out at 6 on Sunday evenings, you can be sure I wouldn’t have used that availability agreement as an excuse. I’d just change it.

So I did, a few weeks ago.

Although I’ve been to the Concert of Prayer before, the one we had tonight was the most powerful one I’ve ever attended. There are a few reasons for this:

1) It was the first time I specifically made time to do it, not just because I had the day off.

2) The Lord has done a lot to prepare my heart for it in the last few days.

3) I was exceedingly blessed not only by the chance to express my heart to God, but to hear the impassioned prayers of other pray-ers from my church.

Without a doubt, praying in a group like that is a stretch for me. Getting into a group of people who are mostly older than you, knowing you’re going to prayer for 20-25 minutes (I’m estimating) may seem relatively safe, but the expectation leading up to it feels a lot like getting ready to jump off the diving board for the first time. But I realized that it wasn’t just another “spiritual discipline” I had to prepare for. Right before we started, I remembered that prayer is God’s gift for us to express ourselves to Him, and that being anxious about praying is an absurd emotional state. So I just cooled my jets a bit.

Honestly, I don’t have the same grip on church needs that most of the older members of the church have. So, instead of trying to sound like I had a deep-seated prayer life for the hurting and needing members of the church (I don’t, I confess), I simply started by asking God that, for everything we pray for, we are thankful he answers our prayers according to his sovereign will…and that since he’s a loving and just God, we can fully trust him.

Now, at this point, I have to say, I usually expect people to pray opposite what I pray for. That is, if I point out one aspect of Christian thought, I expect the next pray-er to counterbalance my prayers. It goes like this,

Prayer 1: “Father, thank you so much that you have given us brothers and sisters with whom we can have fellowship. It is a blessing to be able to gather together freely in a country where we are not persecuted.”

Prayer 2 (The Counterbalance): “And Lord, should we lose that freedom one day, we ask that you keep us faithful, since we know we should expect persecution from the world when we truly exalt you above all else.”

I don’t like it at all when that happens to me, because I feel like my prayers need no counterbalance. Isn’t it a subtle way of correcting someone for not having a theologically complete prayer? But much to my surprise, all the rest of the people praying actually went further in their focus and reliance on God’s sovereign will. I felt like the little push I made to focus on that in the beginning was given more and more momentum. It was such an encouraging moment to listen to godly men and women who passionately and (much more) lovingly (than I) petitioned God according to his all-knowing, all-powerful will.

When you go to a church for a while, you start to develop ideas about the spiritual lives of those around you…at least that’s true for me. And, rightly or wrongly, you begin to imagine some people to be quite a bit more God-focused than others. Needless to say, your prejudices may be correct from time to time, but quite often they are mistaken. As I listened to the prayers of the others in my group, I was unexpectedly blessed by someone I had made wrong assumptions about. This was good because it helped me realize that a) I’m too cynical about many strong Christians and b) there are people who love me much more than I know or am willing to notice.

I was humbled especially by a man who probably ended up praying for my father’s salvation for a good 2 minutes in the course of his requests to God. It felt really awkward to hear someone else express such a profound desire for the salvation of someone they don’t know, but in a way more passionate and deliberate than my own prayers for him. No condescension, no speculation or undue expectation; but simply a sincere, well-intentioned, Christ-like plea for someone to know Him who does not at this point, someone who is most dear to my heart.

There is more I could say, but, for the sake of brevity, I will end here. I want to encourage you in 2 ways, though: 1) make time for your church’s non-Sunday-morning events and times of fellowship, and 2) engage regularly in focused, intentional prayer with other brothers and sisters in your church. God will bless you, and he himself is always blessed by our reliance on him.