Filling Our Place In Prayer
By Lois J. Stucky (1928 – 2014)
Some of us may be in the generation through which God wants to bring to consummation His great plans for the return of His Son and the ushering in of His glorious reign! Ought we not, then, to strive to be men and women of strong faith, able to fill well our God-assigned place in His agenda? There is a harvest to be gathered in! Christians, this is our hour to pray, to believe God, to step up to the responsibility to which God has called us – if we are not already doing so!
To be sure, many Christians today are faced with personal, grave concerns such as are facing all people around the world: shortage of finances, troubled relationships in the family or at work or church, unsaved and wayward dear ones, health problems, threats to safety and to our very life, abounding sin in society, etc. But these concerns must not becloud our vision of our almighty God and what He is able to do and what He has promised to do. If our primary focus is not on God, then instead of praying prayers of faith, we will, like many others, suffer from waning hope and worry or depressing acceptance of ill fate. How can our lives then count for God and His cause? Overcoming personal problems through faith and prayer trains us and strengthens us for our King’s service.
Frances Ridley Havergal, a lady who lived over 100 years ago, penned for us a secret of her life of outstanding devotion and service to her Lord in spite of limitations of frail health, when she wrote: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed – finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest.” Though she died at the early age of 42, it was with words of victory on her lips: “Splendid to be so near the gate of Heaven,” “So beautiful to go!” She left behind many hymns that have aided countless saints to have a closer walk with God. “Ever, Only, All for Thee!” came from her heart and pen at another time. In these songs she shares secrets that made her a fountain of blessing to many. Might we, too, stay our hearts and minds on God and His promises, and experience a life of peace and joy and fruitful service for our Lord. Ever, only, all for our beloved Lord!
That God May Be Glorified
For effective prayer, the uppermost desire of our heart and the direction of our praying should be that in this particular life or instance, God be glorified and His will done and His purposes furthered. The answer that would please us most might not be what most glorifies God. God tells us in His Word that His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways (Isa. 55:9).
Though bowing to His ways may sometimes be costly to us, we have great cause to praise and adore Him for His lofty ways. Consider how He has chosen us to be part of what He planned from before the foundation of the world. He planned a Bride for His beloved Son, one day to stand by His side, clothed in beautiful garments of purity and holiness, made white by the Blood of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. What a high and holy calling is ours! We dimly comprehend the marvelous grace that God has extended to us in Christ. Ought not the fitting of ourselves to fulfill His calling supersede anything in the world that might crowd it out of first place in our life? The Apostle Paul set a worthy example for us, and he calls God’s people to “Do ALL to the GLORY OF GOD” (1 Cor. 10:31).