Steering Wheel or Spare Tire?

Life's always a road trip without any stops, but prayer
can be two different things at any given moment:
the steering wheel of the car, or its spare tire.

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"

~Corrie Ten Boom

    Man, this is a really awesome quote! It's short, simple, and the imagery that Corrie Ten Boom uses is something that anyone in the world can picture and understand.
    Plus, it gives a healthy dose of conviction. Prayer is such an amazing and good thing that it's almost unbelievable--the ability to speak with the Lord, to "cast [our] care upon Him" (1 Peter 5:7, NKJ), and to even accomplish things for His kingdom as we pray for others and for His will to be done in our lives. It's a great relief and haven of sorts in life, an awesome blessing, and a great way to be fruitful, but sometimes it's too easy to act like it can be left on a shelf, untouched until something really bad happens.
    That's when prayer becomes a spare tire, only to be used in emergencies. And that's not the way the Lord intended prayer to be. He wants it to be something we hold to every day to connect with Him, and to direct our path in life, just like a steering wheel guides a car. It's a navigator that steers us away from troubles and dangers before we run into them, and it keeps us going in the ways God wants us to be in.
    This awesome quote by Corrie Ten Boom embodies that truth in a way that's perfect for helping us avoid stagnation in prayer life. It's like a simple equation we can hold up and compare the past few days to, providing a good idea of what prayer currently is to us within very little time.
    Do you already have this quote memorized? Is it a favorite saying of yours? :)

Praying with Persistence

    In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22, there's a list of things that Paul, the writer of the epistle, is encouraging believers to do, and one of those things is to "pray without ceasing" (verse 17, NKJ). This verse is incredibly short and therefore incredibly easy to memorize, though the exhortation itself isn't exactly a cakewalk. Praying without ceasing doesn't mean praying the same thing over and over again in one go, but at different times during the day, or for multiple days--and also, I think, praying for the same things a good number of times. Praying persistently like that is said to be a very effective way to make supplications.
    For one, praying with persistence is in and of itself an indication of importance and commitment. It shows that the matter being prayed about isn't something trivial or forgettable after one mentioning, but that it's a situation that really matters. Praying for a solution or answer to the matter on many occasions shows that it's important, and that it's worth giving attention and energy to.
    Secondly, persistent prayer can also help a person become even more committed to the cause of the prayer. Spending a lot of time with anything can make the person/activity/object more familiar and more valued. Putting a lot of work into something also stirs up more care for it. And on top of those things, prayer is something we do with God, and so spending time working on something with Him makes the situation and the act of prayer far more precious and memorable.
    Lastly, since prayer is also a way to give God control of things, praying more gives Him more of an influence in the matter. Continually giving the situation over to Him and asking for His guidance, His strength, and for His will to be done continually opens doors to having those things accomplished in the best way, His way.
    So on a final note, as long as the prayers being said are genuine and heartfelt (not long-winded and "for a pretense," as Christ criticized some for in Matthew 23:14, NKJ), and as long as it's prayed that the Lord's will is done, prayers are even more powerful when it's done many times, with diligent persistence.
    Isn't it a great blessing to be able to pray to the Lord on a matter multiple times? :)

Max Lucado: "Our Prayers May Be Awkward . . ."

"Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference."

~Max Lucado

    There's a really cool verse in the Word that this quote reminds me of. Romans 8:26, in the NKJ version, says that "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
    This seems to line up so perfectly with what Max Lucado is saying here, that the Lord hearing our prayers means more than our actual spoken words in the prayer. That God's ability to do things isn't limited at all to the number or eloquence of words we use when we pray to Him, but He already understands what's on our hearts (Christ said something like this in Matthew 6:8) and He knows exactly what He's going to do in response.
    God's gift of prayer is such a wonderful blessing. Speaking to Him (and knowing that He won't roll his eyes at poor word choice or stuttering) is absolutely wonderful, don't you think? :)

Psalm 50:15

 

"'Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.'"

Psalm 50:15 (NKJ)

    I love, love, love verses like this! They showcase the Lord's protectiveness, strength, and love like bright pearls set against a dark backdrop.
    Plus, with the alliteration in the verse,"fifty fifteen," memorizing where it is in the Word is easier. Isn't that great? :)

Staying Watchful

    "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJ). It's a wonderful Bible verse to know. It's strengthening, encouraging . . . and vital, really.
    The Lord is coming back soon, and as we wait for Him, we should be doing what we can to tell others about Him, spreading the truth of God. As this happens though, there seems to be (actually, there is) a conscious effort on multiple levels to try to deter us. Like when a serious case of anxiety or a spout of anger erupts, or when a huge life crisis occurs. Backsliding can occur, and that's such a horrible thing to happen.
    That's why this exhortation to watch is so great and helpful, I think. Because when we're alert and aware, these spiritual problems don't sneak up on us. We can identify problems immediately and take them to God for help.
    So how is a person to watch in the walk of life?
    I think reading the Bible is a huge factor. It's God's actual words, His absolute truth. Reading through the Word, we understand God's character and the way He wants us to be. Likened to water, it can make us see things clearly and understand. Reading it constantly is also an extremely effective reminding system, warning of actions or behaviors to avoid, and which virtues should be built up. The Bible is really perfect; reading it is a wonderful gift.
    Prayer is also a fantastic blessing. It's talking to the Lord and knowing that He's listening! And it's also a way to be watchful. In addition to giving God thanks and worship, praying for others, and praying for aid ourselves (all really important things to do), we can ask God if there's anything in our lives He wants us to change or build on. A clear Voice probably won't always answer (though sometimes He does), but asking Him gives a chance to search one's life and say, "Lord, what about this?" and think of things in the Bible that deal with the topic.
    The Word and prayer are ways I use to stay watchful. Can you think of any others?

Church Is Awesome!

     Hopefully everyone's heard at least once that the church is a family, not a business. A place where we can learn more about God and see fellow believers.
    And it's not just wonderful to go to church, but it's vital. There are so many ways a person is blessed and strengthened by coming. For example . . .
    God's Word! Private Bible studies at home are fantastic, but there's also something special about coming to a place and hearing someone else read and discuss the Word in depth. Pastors/clergymen have special training to do so, and often know special information (like in-depth definitions of Hebrew/Greek words used in the Bible, related historical events, and scientific/archeological facts that support the Word).
    Worship. Not only is worship beautiful and good for us, but it's wonderful for God. "Because He is your Lord, worship Him." says the psalmist in Psalm 45:11 (NKJ). Being created and redeemed by the Lord, it's only right that we give Him service in return. And music is a fantastic gift! Worshipping before the study is a perfect opportunity to give back to the One who has given us so much.
    Prayer support. Particularly in specialized groups (like youth group or a women's study group) there are sturdy "nets" of prayer. We can ask for prayer from fellow believers, and help brothers and sisters in Christ by praying for them. In Matthew 18:20 (NKJ), Christ says: "'For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.'" At least one other person would be at church, completing the minimal twosome needed in this promise!
    Fellowship. Hanging out with fellow believers and  freely talking about God, the Bible, the spiritual walk, and other like matters. Being able to relate with someone on these matters is refreshing! It makes deeper friendships, and it strengthens our family bond.
    Church events. Worship concerts, retreats, evangelizing excursions, missions, Bible camp, prayer meetings, volunteering in the community. Lots of churches have at least one of these sort of activities. And they're wonderful opportunities to grow in the faith, to interact with fellow believers (see: Fellowship), to serve others, and to spread the Gospel.
    Isn't the church, our family in God, wonderful? What's your favorite thing about your church?

Psalm 55: 22

 

"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55: 22 (NKJ)

 

    Physical burdens are difficult, but emotional ones can be heavier and even more difficult to get rid of. Stress, worry, fear, sadness. They're not fun, and you can't just wish it away.

    But amazingly and wonderfully, the Lord says that He'll take them! He promises us rest in Matthew 11: 28, and since God is all-powerful and unchanging, security is assured.

    Prayer and just trusting in God are two ways to cast our cares upon Him, and they work wonderfully. Don't you agree that it gives peace?

    Hope you have a wonderful week! :)

Philippians 4:6

 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

Philippians 4:6 (NKJ)

    Isn't it amazing and wonderful how the Lord hears  us every time we ask Him for something? It's so incredible that sometimes it's hard to believe, but it's true. God does want us to ask Him for things like courage, empowerment of the Holy Spirit, etc.--good requests that are in line with His perfect, holy will. It's not throwing a coin into a wishing well or asking Santa for a pony; it's having faith in God's love for us and His ability to see us through, giving Him all of our trust and asking that His will be done. When prayers like that are given, they're always answered, and such requests are granted.  Isn't it wonderful?