This week we'll take a short break from our analysis of the Lord's Prayer and cover:
Unanswered Prayer & Intercessory Prayer
Thirty-five days into a consistent prayer habit, a sobering fact rings true in my life. Prayer doesn't necessarily change painful circumstances. We can pray faithfully for something for a long time, but God's answer may not change. We may still get a disappointing no.
Unanswered prayer is hard, but we must always submit our hearts to God's will as we pray--whether His will matches our desires or not. The journey itself, though painful, may be the point. It may bring the greatest good for us and for His Kingdom.
For a long time I've prayed for peace in our home. As regular readers already know, both my son and my husband suffer from ADHD, with my son having a few other letters as well. Having one in a home with a neurological disorder is hard enough......but two? It's downright un-peaceful, especially when the two of them clash. They don't have, and may never have (even if medicated), the same level of self-control most people manage. Not ever approaching normalcy--and the success that brings--can be terribly frustrating.
Consistent prayer hasn't changed anything associated with ADHD. It is still an ugly and cruel disorder. My husband and son are still frustrated and angry 50% - 70% of the time. Regular failures--sometimes only perceived--still gnaw away at their self-esteem.
And the rest of us still wish they could hold it together.
In my heart, I know it's all about the journey our family is on; I'm not angry or resentful about unanswered prayer.
What Prayer Does Do
Unanswered prayer notwithstanding, something significant and lovely does come through a prayer habit. Something more valuable than the removal of hardship. Guaranteed, every time. Through intercessory prayer, to be exact.
Intercessory prayer is (quote found here) "praying with the real hope and real intent that God would step in and act for the positive advancement of some specific other person(s) or other entity."
Another definition, found here: "Intercessions are coming to God with boldness and speaking with him about others. The heart of the biblical meaning of the word intercession is boldness. Don't forget that God is asking us to come to him with boldness! We can have the assurance that if he asks us to come boldly, he desires to answer our prayers."
Consider Charles Spurgeon's words, regarding the blessing of intercessory prayer:
When we pray for others consistently, we get over ourselves. Our spirits rise above our circumstances. Life can still be hard, but we're given the gift of peace......peace that comes from a heavenly perspective.
More on intercessory prayer found here and excerpted below:
Another perk I've noticed? My love for those I'm praying for increases, through no act of my will! I don't set out to love the Body of Christ more--it simply happens. It's another gift from the Holy Spirit.
How Do We Start?
Intercessions should cover current difficulties, of course, but we also think in broader terms. What does the Bible say about their role in life? Are they single? Married? A parent? A child? A widow or widower? What does Scripture require of them?
We pray...
...according to Scripture.
...according to God's will.
...that their Christian walk would be strengthened.
...that they would avoid temptation.
...and finally, we incorporate their own requests.
So my friend, now that you know......when will you start reaping and spreading the blessings?
Links for earlier posts in this prayer series are here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
Unanswered Prayer & Intercessory Prayer
Thirty-five days into a consistent prayer habit, a sobering fact rings true in my life. Prayer doesn't necessarily change painful circumstances. We can pray faithfully for something for a long time, but God's answer may not change. We may still get a disappointing no.
Unanswered prayer is hard, but we must always submit our hearts to God's will as we pray--whether His will matches our desires or not. The journey itself, though painful, may be the point. It may bring the greatest good for us and for His Kingdom.
For a long time I've prayed for peace in our home. As regular readers already know, both my son and my husband suffer from ADHD, with my son having a few other letters as well. Having one in a home with a neurological disorder is hard enough......but two? It's downright un-peaceful, especially when the two of them clash. They don't have, and may never have (even if medicated), the same level of self-control most people manage. Not ever approaching normalcy--and the success that brings--can be terribly frustrating.
Consistent prayer hasn't changed anything associated with ADHD. It is still an ugly and cruel disorder. My husband and son are still frustrated and angry 50% - 70% of the time. Regular failures--sometimes only perceived--still gnaw away at their self-esteem.
And the rest of us still wish they could hold it together.
In my heart, I know it's all about the journey our family is on; I'm not angry or resentful about unanswered prayer.
What Prayer Does Do
Unanswered prayer notwithstanding, something significant and lovely does come through a prayer habit. Something more valuable than the removal of hardship. Guaranteed, every time. Through intercessory prayer, to be exact.
Intercessory prayer is (quote found here) "praying with the real hope and real intent that God would step in and act for the positive advancement of some specific other person(s) or other entity."
Another definition, found here: "Intercessions are coming to God with boldness and speaking with him about others. The heart of the biblical meaning of the word intercession is boldness. Don't forget that God is asking us to come to him with boldness! We can have the assurance that if he asks us to come boldly, he desires to answer our prayers."
Consider Charles Spurgeon's words, regarding the blessing of intercessory prayer:
"I commend intercessory prayer, because it opens man's soul, gives a healthy play to his sympathies, constrains him to feel that he is not everybody, and that this wide world and this great universe were not after all made that he might be its petty lord, that everything might bend to his will, and all creatures crouch at his feet."
When we pray for others consistently, we get over ourselves. Our spirits rise above our circumstances. Life can still be hard, but we're given the gift of peace......peace that comes from a heavenly perspective.
More on intercessory prayer found here and excerpted below:
It is best to always be aware that you never really pray alone. For when the honest love in you for other people causes you to ask God to strengthen, heal, defend, change, or bless them, there is someone else praying with you : the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is leading you to pray. When your love is not whole or your mind is not clear, the Spirit steps in for you, to express the intercession and draw you into it. (emphasis mine) Christian intercessors over the past two millenia have prayed their intercessions in a 'Trinitarian' manner : to the Father, through the Son, and in and with the Holy Spirit. God isn't fussy about the pattern, but it helps us to see some part of how God works in prayer.I've found that no matter how tired I am, no matter how much I'd like a drink or a snack, or to switch the laundry, it doesn't matter. I am drawn into the intercession, and it is never a chore, no matter the hands on the clock. I am blessed by it. Downright energized, in fact.
Another perk I've noticed? My love for those I'm praying for increases, through no act of my will! I don't set out to love the Body of Christ more--it simply happens. It's another gift from the Holy Spirit.
How Do We Start?
Intercessions should cover current difficulties, of course, but we also think in broader terms. What does the Bible say about their role in life? Are they single? Married? A parent? A child? A widow or widower? What does Scripture require of them?
We pray...
...according to Scripture.
...according to God's will.
...that their Christian walk would be strengthened.
...that they would avoid temptation.
...and finally, we incorporate their own requests.
So my friend, now that you know......when will you start reaping and spreading the blessings?
Links for earlier posts in this prayer series are here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
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