Wednesday, June 30, 2010

In thinking about prayer....

Yesterday I had all these questions about prayer, so on the way home several different situations from the Bible came to mind. Top of the list was Job.

Deep inside we all hope we don't have to be Job. Job prayed, but ultimately it all just played out the way it was going to anyway. Job's situation wasn't resolved right away, but does that mean Job's prayers were of no effect? I don't think so. In this case I believe Job's prayers strengthened his relationship with God. He was able to be honest with Him and to open his heart to Him. And that could be the very reason that in the end, everything turned out so well. Job continued to honor God through the whole ordeal. Without prayer, he may not have been able to do that.

Then there was the passionate prayer of King David for the life of his baby. He cried out to God, fasting and praying for the life of his son. On the seventh day, his son died anyway. David's reaction?
Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the LORD. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate.
He had hopes that God would have mercy on him and let his son live. God didn't do what he wanted him to do, but he got up and worshipped God anyway.
 
The next incident that came to mind is in Daniel chapter 10:
12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come."

In this case, it sounds as if some spiritual warfare had to take place in order to answer the prayer. It said Daniel's prayer was heard in heaven on the FIRST DAY he prayed, but for 3 weeks the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked the messenger (thought by some to be Gabriel). Michael, who the messenger refers to as Daniel's prince, is apparently the only one who helps Gabriel fight this spirit prince of Persia. What's up with that? Interestingly, it says when he was done talking to Daniel, Gabriel needed to go back and continue this fight. So, in this case it would seem the answer was delayed only because of spiritual resistance. Did Daniel's prayers help break through this resistance? It doesn't say...it only explains the delay. But it does assure us he was heard in heaven right away, and something was in motion.
 
Another interesting thing that came to mind was when the apostles tried to cast the demons out of a man but couldn't do it. Jesus said that type of thing required fasting and praying. Then he proceeded to heal the guy. Now people (including me) often think you should fast and pray for the thing you are wanting to see happen. But is this really what Jesus meant? Had he been fasting and praying for this particular man to be delivered? I don't think so. I don't think the focus of our fasting and praying is to be the results we are looking for.  It seems to me the key is deepening your relationship with God. The more you fast and pray, the more in tune you will be. And apparently the more powerful your prayers will be when the need arises.

In contrast to the above, there are many, many examples of prayers being answered immediately. Healings, deliverances, resurrections. You would think I'd be just as confused as I was yesterday on what the purpose of prayer really is.

But today I'm at peace. Clearly, like so many other things in the realm of God's kingdom, prayer has many purposes. The most important of these purposes is it keeps us in tune with God. So I will continue praying. I will continue worshipping and adoring, I will continue crying out for our needs. And if the answer doesn't come right away, still I remain confident that something good is in motion.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Holding out for what God wants to do....

If there is one thing I've learned over the past few weeks, it's that my ways most definitely are NOT God's ways. I have prayed and prayed for things to turn out just the way I want them to. And if God really loves me, if God really cares, He'll do what I want, right? That's the attitude we often have, whether we like to admit it or not. God proves His love to us by answering our prayers the way we want them answered.

Now, I'm still on the path of discovering what the power of prayer really is, and it's a journey that's far from over. As I've mentioned in the past, it's easy for me to believe God loves us and He knows what He is doing. It's easy for me to just trust that His decisions are right. But where does prayer come into that? Does He always just do what's best for us? Or does He sometimes do what we want, what we pray for, even if He knows that's not the best thing? Is that what we really WANT Him to do? Wouldn't we rather He do the best thing, since He has quite a bit more information than we do? Are there times when the best thing doesn't happen unless we pray? These are the questions I long to find answers for.

Meanwhile, my son-in-law is in Mexico. We love him with all our hearts. He came to the U.S. when he was 16 years old with the best of intentions and the most loving of hearts. He knew his mom couldn't provide for him and his five siblings. He tried the best he could to help in Mexico, but couldn't make enough money to help. So he left his home, his security, everything he knew to come to the U.S. He didn't understand the language or the culture. I think he had some understanding as to how dangerous it was to cross the border... as much understanding as a 16 year old boy has of danger. But he did it... out of love for his family. I am amazed at how incredibly brave he was at just 16 years old.

Since that time, he has been a hard worker. He married my daughter and worked hard to provide for her and their children. Since they have been together, we have always encouraged him to do the right thing. At the top of the list was going back to Mexico so he could come over legally. We did all the paperwork, everything they required to prove it would be an extreme hardship on my daughter if he were not to return to the U.S. The lawyer said there should be no problems...it was one of the strongest cases he had ever presented, and he's done a lot of them. But, he said, they can do whatever they want to do.

Aaron went to the American Consulate in Mexico, presented the hardship waiver, and they said we failed to prove it would be an extreme hardship on Rachel if he didn't return and we need to submit more evidence. Then they said they would give us another answer in A YEAR. I'm not sure what else we can submit. He is their sole source of income. They have never had to be on any assistance whatsoever, but now Rachel will be forced to apply for assistance for herself and their children. She is pregnant, due to deliver in September. It will be a huge emotional strain on her trying to raise three children all by herself, all while mourning the loss of her husband. It will be horrible for the children to live without their father. They are talking about ripping apart a family and they want to know why that would be a hardship. How hardened have we really become?

Rachel went down to Mexico to be with Aaron because they didn't want their family to be apart, and it should have taken only two months at the most for him to come back. Since their waiver was not approved, she thought maybe they could make it in Mexico. She said even if it were hard, the family needed to be together.

Tearfully, she is coming back this week. Aaron can't make enough money to provide for them there. He hasn't found a job yet and the most he could hope to make when he does is about 1000 pesos ($100) a week. Rachel has found that everything is as expensive (or more expensive) down there than it is here. They just can't make it. So they were forced to make the impossible, yet necessary, decision that she and the kids must come back without him.

We all have heavy hearts. He is our son now. We love him. He's not a nameless, faceless illegal immigrant. He is our son. He is the father of our grandchildren. We prayed, we fasted. The church prayed and fasted. But he is still in Mexico.

I'm sure God's hand is at work. I don't know what the plan is, but I know He will work it all for good. Our prayers weren't answered the way we wanted them to be, but I have enough years under my belt that I know when all looks lost, God comes shining through.

But at the same time, we are just sad. We miss him. We love him. Lord, bring him home as soon as you can.

And if there happens to be anyone out there who has more clout than we do, we'd appreciate any and all help. Oprah, are you listening?

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Sometimes life will hurt....

It's one of life's paradoxes, really. There are times in our lives that will be painful. The Bible assures us of that. And yet, we can be joyful in all things.

How is it possible to feel the depth of pain that I am feeling this week, yet at the same time feel this joy, this trust, this optimism that everything will be okay? It doesn't make sense... which is exactly why I believe it's God.

God has a way of taking things that make no sense whatsoever and building deep and lasting principals on them. (i.e. fisherman leading the church, first being last/last being first, finding everything you need by serving others instead of yourself, etc., etc.) My son-in-law, who I love as if he were my very own son, left for Mexico last week. My daughter and two grandchildren are leaving on Thursday. How long? It's yet to be determined. Hopefully no longer than 6-8 weeks. But it's not our call. Their fate is in the hands of the American Embassy in Juarez. Or so it would seem.

Our church has really banded together in this. There has been a call to pray and fast until Aaron, Rachel, and the kids are safely back in America. And not just our church... I have heard from other friends throughout the U.S. who have been praying...interceding...on their behalf.

Why did they have to send Aaron to Juarez? It's one of the most dangerous places he could possibly be right now with the drug wars that are going on. Someone was shot yesterday just 5 blocks from where he is staying.

But the church is praying. The saints are crying out for His protection, His provision. He is a kind and loving God who hears the cries of His people. And even though we won't be able to get to our children to offer our protection, He will be with them. And His protection is all they need.

You see, their fate is not in the hands of the American Embassy in Juarez. Their fate is most certainly in the hands of our God.