| | When I was in high school, life wasn't always great. I had a lot of emotions, anger and bitterness that went unresolved. As a result, throughout the four years, I was in and out of counseling for depression. When I went to the therapist for the sessions, I always felt things got a little better when I was in the chair. It was good to be able to talk about what I was going through and feel like someone actually listened and cared. But the minute the session ended, and I stepped back outside into the world, the satisfaction died. Just talking about my problems did nothing to change the fact that when I left the office, they were still there. School still loaded on the work and the pressure, my parents expectations of me were no different, things I had to take care of still needed doing, and interpersonal tensions remained.
And sometimes this can be an excuse that we use when we don't feel like praying. It might make us feel better for a little bit, we reason, but what's going to change about it? But, that's really not a valid excuse. And here's why. In short, prayer brings resolution. Unlike with a therapist, things happen when you pray to God.
A great example of this is found in Daniel 9. In Daniel 9:1-19, he's praying for the nation of Israel as a whole and asking that they turn back to God and that He bless them. After he's been praying for some time, the archangel Gabriel appears to him to give a response. But what's interesting to note is in Daniel 9:23. Gabriel says that as soon as Daniel started praying, he was heard and that things were set in motion for a reply. It's also worth noting that the response to this prayer is the Prophecy of Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24-27), which pinpoints with remarkable accuracy the date of Christ's sacrifice for our sins. So in Daniel's case, since he was praying for Israel, the completion of the answer to his prayer comes some 500 years later with the Incarnation. We can learn from this example and see things that are applicable to our situation. The minute we pray, God hears. We may not receive the response immediately, but things start to happen, leading towards the response.
But there is also an immediate benefit to praying. Philippians 4:6-7 exhorts us to not be anxious, but instead pray. And it says that when we do, the peace of Christ will guard our hearts. The word for "guard" there is a military word. A good image is that of angels coming down to protect and defend. And that's not just an image to think about, but that actually, really happens sometimes. When we pray and feel better about our situations, it's not just a fleeting feeling. It's the peace of Christ within us. There's a big difference between that and the passing feel-good effect from sitting in the counselor's office.
And in case it wasn't already clear, I'm only talking about Christian prayer here. And this shows why. It's the peace of Christ that makes the difference. Without Christ, there is nothing. In Luke 18:7-8, it says that God hears the prayers of "His elect" and moves to answer them quickly.
It's fitting to end this piece by looking at the most effective prayer warrior ever. And of course, I mean Jesus. Luke 22:39-46 details His actions in the garden of Gethsemane, right before He's going to be arrested and eventually crucified. And what does He do? He's praying. And we can see the progression here in the several hours of prayer (See Matthew's account, Matthew 26:36-46). At first, His prayers seem somewhat more tentative, asking God the Father to "remove this cup" if possible. But at the same time, He is willing to go with whatever is placed before Him ("yet not My will, but Yours be done"). We also get a visual image of the peace that comes to his heart through this time. When He prayed, an angel came down to Him and assisted Him. And this can happen when we pray as well. Contrast the beginning of His prayers with the end, as they are coming to arrest Him (Matthew 26:46). He addresses His disciples, ordering them to get up, and saying that it is time for the Son of Man to be handed over. Here, He sounds confident, prepared, and ready to face what He knows is coming. This is the result of a couple hours of intense, agonizing prayer, in which He found enough peace to take Him to the cross like a lamb to the slaughter.
It worked for Jesus.
-Durandal
REFERENCED VERSES
Daniel 9:23: At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.
Philippians 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Luke 22:39-46:
39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him.
40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
41 And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,
42 saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."
43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.
44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.
45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,
46 and said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
Matthew 26:46: Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!
Luke 18:7-8: Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?
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| | Posted 10/21/2008 1:29 AM - 17 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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