This week my study surrounded prayer and what that means. As I was studying I could not help but realize that sometimes my prayers seem to more robotic than heart felt and genuine.
Do we pray out of habit or purpose? I would love to say purpose, but what happens when those things you are praying for take FOREVER to come to fruition? Or worse yet, it is not the answer you seek and is instead the opposite?
I am reminded of Joshua and even with all the faith he had, it had to be placed on the back burner for ~40 years until everyone else caught up to the purpose they were given and he (and Caleb) believed. In my imagination I see a young man frustrated by the laszia-fair attitude that those around him carried like backpacks full of rocks. He had times where seeds of doubt crept in but he continued to push those seeds out of his mind. He would refocus in the purpose and vision they were given by God, only to come back to - WE CAN TAKE THEM LET'S GO!
So what does Joshua's story have to do with prayer? Plenty, in my mind anyway. Joshua had to continue to remain committed to the vision & prayer for the children of Israel regardless of what obstacle presented itself. He had to remain committed and hopeful to the outcome of his prayers. How else could he (and Caleb) have lasted wandering for 40 years for something they did not do?
When the weight of the world bears down on you with no relief in sight, how so you respond? Do you believe in your prayer(s) or abandon them and set out to fix it yourself?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
Blessings,
-d
-d
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