"In that day you will ask in My name..."
We too often think of the Cross of Christ as something we have to get through, yet we get through for the purpose of getting into it.
The Cross represents only one thing for us-complete, entire, absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ-and there is nothing in which this identification is more real to us than in prayer.
"Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8). Then why should we ask? The point of prayer is not to get answers from God, but to have perfect and complete oneness with Him. If we pray only because we want answers, we will become irritated and angry with God. We receive an answer every time we pray, but it does not always come in the way we expect, and our spiritual irritation shows our refusal to identify ourselves truly with our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove that God answers prayer, but to be living trophies of God's grace.
"...I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you..." (John 16:26-27). Have you reached such a level of intimacy with God that the only thing that can account for your prayer life is that it has become one with the prayer life of Jesus Christ? Has our Lord exchanged your life with His vital life? If so, then "in that day" you will be so closely identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.
When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to place the blame on someone else. That is always a trap of Satan. When you seem to have no answer, there is always a reason-God uses these times to give you a deep personal instruction, and it is not for anyone else but you.
My Utmost For His Highest
Oswald Chambers
I'm still working on it.
I'm no longer a practicing Catholic, but respect some of the disciplines I learned growing up. I try not to think of "religions, and traditions"....I consider believers in Jesus Christ to be "Christians".
Your words echo so true. I believe in giving thanks to Him as well, whether we feel our prayers have been answered or not.
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you, dear friend.
XO,
Jane
Each picture and text an altarpiece :)
ReplyDelete;)...you know I love you and I love coming here. Today is extra special...and you know, sometimes no answer to a prayer is your answer. We certainly don't need everything we ask for and sometimes he has already answered and we just refuse to see it.
ReplyDeleteI spend my time with Him, just listening. Lord knows what is needed, I whisper names of those in need, and then I just sit and soak. Prayer should be like a bath. Just lean back, close your eyes and let him take away all the stress of the day. Let His warmth penetrate all the way through you. Prayer should either calm you down or juice you up and if you got neither of those, then you need to hit your knees again.
I love that you are a practicing christian. You do it so well. ;)
Debbie, If we believe ..do we have to be Catholic, Baptist, or any other particular group? I just say I am christain, because I do believe. God knows your heart. I think your heart is good and kind.Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteDebbie this post blew me away. You spoke of much of the turmoil that is in my life right now and I can't find the answers. This post came at a really good time for me - thank you. I sat and watched "The Passion of the Christ" last night. Have you ever seen it?
ReplyDeleteDebbie- I think, like you, that those that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are Christians; Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, water-immersion baptizers, water sprinkling baptizers...we are all one in God's eyes. I don't think he belonged to any one religion.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard working on changes, isn't it? We want help but sometimes refuse to accept the answer that is given...we want what we want and anything else will disappoint. It is hard not to look back and wonder just where the road crooked sometimes. Love you, my friend- xo Diana
What a great post, Debbie. I've been needing a spiritual lift, and your words really helped remind me of that. Unanswered prayers, disappointments, and uncertainty can drag us down. But as you said, all prayers are answered, just not always in ways that we think they should be! I was brought up a Baptist, but don't identify with that at all, haven't for many years. I am a Christian, and would call myself "non-denomination". But none of that matters to the Lord, does it? Big hugs to you, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and wise words.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Your words are so true. "No man comes to the father except by me." As long as we believe in him we are all the same in his eyes. As a dear friend once pointed out there is not going to be a Baptist section and a Catholic section in heaven. We are all going to be praising him together.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, the answers will come!
Annette
Well put my friend. God is not some Santa Claus in the sky, doling out "gifts" whenever we demand them. He wants to be our friend, to be one with us. Would we expect our friends to cater to our every whim? Of course not. We just want to have a loving relationship with them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this gentle reminder that even though we don't always get the answer we want, God knows what he is doing...and it will ALWAYS be what is best for us.
Love you dearly,
Deborah