Two Obstacles to God-Honoring Prayer

Back in January, Columnist Andree Seu’s insight into prayer ("Impossible Requests," World magazine, 1-30-09) made me examine how I pray, and the exercise changed my requests. Seu wrote, "I bet I know why we don’t ask bigger things of God. It’s because we’re afraid He won’t do them, and then we will be ashamed. It isn’t modesty; it’s unbelief." Pow! Whack! Did you feel that, too?

In my case, that’s the problem half of the time. I shroud my unbelief in false humility. But in actuality, I’m dishonoring my Lord. Paul says we are to pray keeping in mind that God is "able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). I dishonor God with my puny, faithless prayers. I need to get serious about Jesus’ words (Matthew 7:8; Mark 10:27; James 4:2) and ask in "big" faith. Wimpy prayers, wrapped in fears and doubts, do not honor Him (Matthew 6:30; 9:28-29; 14:31).

The rest of my prayers are of the "I’m weary in praying because I haven’t seen the answer yet" variety. I’m not only faithless and fearful, I’m impatient. I have to remember that the One I seek in prayer is my Maker and the Sovereign Lord—His will and timing are best. That does not mean I should back off in praying with courage and tenacity. Like the patient, persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), I must keep knocking and not "lose heart." Jesus appreciates bold, expectant prayers. That doesn’t mean I have to make long prayers to attempt to motivate God. Jesus actually warned against long, useless repetitions (Matthew 6:7). The widow spoke only five words! It’s not a matter of trying to persuade God to hear us, because He already knows and hears. Rather, the widow prevailed because of her perseverance with God, an evidence of her faith.

Seu’s advice is simple: "We honor [God] by taking Him at His Word, rather than mind-screwing a thousand reasons why the prayer cannot possibly be answered ... Once one has crossed that Rubicon of faith, one notices an upsurge of new prayer requests from the heart." Our prayers must be faith-filled and fervent! When we stack man’s impossibilities against God’s promises and power, it’s no contest.

How about you? Do you face any obstacles to prayer? What works for you in overcoming those obstacles?

Related posts: "Prayer: Standing Against the Enemy"

America's Four-Step Return to Devotion

John Adams, America’s second President, wrote a letter to his wife Abigail (a God-fearing woman) on July 3rd, 1776.

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America," he wrote. "It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

President Adams was off by a couple of days. Americans have gathered to celebrate America’s independence on July 4th, the date the Declaration of Independence was approved in a closed session of Congress—though most of the delegates didn’t sign the Declaration until August 2nd. In a strange coincidence, Adams died on July 4th, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the United States.

As I look at his letter to Abigail, I’m struck by the two-fold commemoration John Adams espoused—a day of devotion to God; a day of celebration. We’re pretty good at the celebration part, but where is our devotion? How do we even show devotion to the mighty God who delivered America and founded it in biblical truth? As I study the culture, and see how far we’ve drifted from the vision of the Founding Fathers, I believe the way we return to devotion to God is still the four-step path laid out in 2 Chronicles 7:14: (1) God’s people must turn from pride; (2) God’s people must pray; (3) God’s people must seek Him; and (4) God’s people must repent of their wicked ways (thoughts, attitudes, actions).

We have been delivered, but we cannot live in devotion to God until we come before Him with clean hands. He desires to hear, forgive, and heal our land, but if we turn from Him instead of our sins, we may continue to live in a free land, but our lives will continue in bondage.

Pride is a big issue, but what else do you think is standing in the way of a great spiritual revival in America?

Related post: "Why I Know Revival Can Come".

Power and Might, in His Hands

I write each month for a prophecy newsletter, and I have to admit that sometimes the news of End Times circumstances gets overwhelming. There’s war, terrorism, pestilence, economic crisis, cultural breakdown, torture, sexual trafficking, divorce, and every sort of evil everywhere in the world. When I read the Bible, I know where it’s all headed, and my hope is in God alone, but I have to admit that it is only my strong belief in the sovereignty of God that keeps me from being overcome by fear and worry.

The other day, I found myself singing an old spiritual that made the pop charts back in 1958, introduced by Laurie London and later made popular by Mahalia Jackson—"He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands." The different stanzas remind us that God has my brothers and my sisters, the sun and the rain, the moon and the stars, the wind and the clouds, the rivers and the mountains, the oceans and the seas, you and me and everybody here in His powerful hands.

In 2 Chronicles 20:6, King Jehoshaphat—leading the people of Judah at the brink of war—said, "O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you." In 1 Chronicles 29:11-12, King David also spoke of God’s unlimited power. "Yours, O Lord," David said, “is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all … you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power ... ."

God is involved in our everyday events, and we must never forget that. I love artist Rex Babin’s rendering of the miracle landing of US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River. Entitled "Miracle" (Sacramento Bee, 1-18-09), the drawing shows the passengers of the flight standing on the wings of the plane, with God’s hands reaching down to hold the plane up until help came. Pilot Sullenberger is to be praised, but we must not forget that God was there, too, just as He is with planes that do not get a hoped-for miracle. He is present in each trial, and when the time comes, walks with us in the valley of the shadow of death.

The God of Jehoshaphat and David is still on the throne. You can rest in perfect peace with your thoughts focused on Him instead of frightening circumstances (Isaiah 26:3), and it will be your joy to “speak of the glory of His kingdom, and talk of His power” (Psalm 145:11).

What is your tough circumstance today? What is the evidence that God is working? What do you do when you don’t feel like God is working?

Related posts: "Cradled in Thorns" will help you remember God's protection. For help in combating fear, see: "Hey You, Fear Not!" and "Kick Out Fear!"

Ten Things to Pray for 'Better' Men

Although it has been said, "Anyone can be a father; it takes a real man to be a dad," most feminists and some cultural sophisticates have declared the role of fatherhood unnecessary. Men are relegated to the function of sperm donor. But look around at the shamble of broken homes and the resultant "broken children" in our society, and you’ll quickly see the value of paternal care. While I agree little with our new President’s positions on public policy, I do appreciate Barack Obama’s strong example of fatherhood. Our nation desperately needs to see courageous, morally pure, tender dads.

I met Crawford W. Loritts, Jr., at a Life Action Ministries revival training meeting, but it was a tract he wrote in 1998, "Ten Ways to Be a Better Father," that got my attention, because Crawford (a godly African-American pastor) purposed to lead men to be more involved, positive role models in their homes. Leadership U picked up the tract and published it on their website, but let me list Crawford’s ten points here. They are wise words that I have, incidentally, seen in my husband’s life, which he learned from his own wise father’s life—and they are principles that I have prayed concerning my two sons as they father their own children.

Ten ways to be a better father: (1) Passionately love your wife. (2) Be a man of integrity—or your words will fall on deaf ears. (3) Your children’s importance to you can be measured by how much time you spend with them. (4) You, more than anyone else, can give your children lifelong self-worth. (5) Communicate as a family. (6) Understand your mission. (7) Be vulnerable and admit your weaknesses. (8) Discipline means character development, not venting anger. (9) Don’t overprotect—let children learn the law of reaping what they sow. (10) Don’t be afraid to show your tender side.

Why have I included this list in a blog that will be read, perhaps, mostly by women? Women are influential, especially in the home, and we need to pray these things into our husbands’, sons’, pastors’, and other male leaders’ lives. Take time to thank God this week for the men who have taken up the charge God has entrusted to them—men who are wonderful examples of faithfulness.

What other things are you praying for, for your father, husband, son, pastor, or male leaders?

I'm praying that my Father-in-Love ("My Other Dad") lives a long, long life so he can continue to show us all what a godly man looks like!

Better Ways to Connect with Your BFF

I woke up, checked my e-mail, logged on to Facebook, and then answered a Google chat message. Before noon, I’d checked email three more times; and by dinner, another four or five. Before I went to bed, I checked the emails and Facebook again; and then I went to bed. Then I woke up, ready to start all over again. Ready to "connect" with my friends, I heard an unmistakable voice. "When are you going to connect with Me?"

I had time for every other friend who wrote, sent a funny attachment, or just wanted to say "hi" yesterday, but I missed out on some serious connection time with Jesus, my BFF (Best Friend Forever). I only whispered some words to Him on the run. Actually, there’s really not much connection with my email friends, either. It’s pretty easy to substitute electronic messages for face time.

Some Relationship Connection principles are true whether we talk about human relationships or our relationship with God.

1. Relationship Connection grows with time, not a hurried hello. Friendships aren’t developed in our zip-in, zip-out techno-culture. We need time to linger with the one we love.
2. Relationship Connection grows with honesty and transparency. Get real!
3. Relationship Connection grows with a listening ear. (We connect with earthly friends over a cup of tea, a spontaneous walk, or a phone chat… and with God in prayer and meditation in the Word.)
4. Relationship Connection grows with focused, encouraging words. We share earthly friends’ joys and burdens, and spur one another on to greater vision and ministry. We offer positive strategies for improvement and accountability. With God, we are encouraged in the scriptures, and we offer Him words of praise.

We all need heart connection—to get away from all of the technology and connect, face-to-face. It’s especially true of our relationship with God. He says, "Draw near to Me, and I’ll draw near to you" (James 4:8). God invites us to dwell in His presence (Psalm 140:13b). It’s an ongoing invitation, and if we value Him, we’ll sit quietly and connect.

What do you do to keep the connection strong with Jesus, your BFF?

For more tips on building friendships, see: "Ya Gotta Have Friends!"