Pray for the ground

pray for the ground

The parable of the sower strikes me with the concept of sowing the seed which is the word of God and hence the title of the parable is all about the sower. However, have I not lost sight of the fact that the parable and the explanations that go with it say more about the soil rather than the sower?

“Listen! Once there was a man who went out to sow grain. As he scattered the seed in the field, some of it fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn’t deep. Then, when the sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up. Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up and choked the plants, and they didn’t bear grain. But some seeds fell in good soil, and the plants sprouted, grew, and bore grain: some had thirty grains, others sixty, and others one hundred.” – Mark 4:3-8 GNT

If I am not mistaken, in biblical days, sowing preceded plowing. By that I mean, the seed was sown and then the land was turned over. Without knowing what soil laid underneath, there was a call for a broad and generous application when seeds were scattered.

Without being able to determine the quality of the soil there was much more dependence on God for the results. Hence the different economies of results regarding the harvest.

I do not know the soil condition of the hearts that surround me each day. I can make assumptions, but I do not know. I like the idea of sowing as widely as possible and then pray for the ground it has fallen on. It means that my everyday life, my coming and going, my speech, my mannerisms matter.

For as God tills the soil of the heart, I pray that there will be good soil and the seed sown will produce a harvest. Not all will take my breath away, nonetheless, the harvest matters.

“A beginner must look on himself as one setting out to make a garden for his Lord’s pleasure, on most unfruitful soil which abounds in weeds. His majesty roots up the weeds and will put in good plants instead. Let us reckon that this is already done when the soul decides to practice prayer and has begun to do so.” – Saint Teresa of Avila

Wisdom

person-resting-on-mountain-top

I am thinking again of Jacob’s lack of prayer when it came to dealing with Laban. When the time came for him to leave, he had to flee. There had to be a number of ways he could have dealt with this even though the problem was very real. Prayer would have been a good place to start.

 Jacob deceived Laban by not letting him know that he was leaving. – Genesis 31:20

Wisdom comes through prayer. I think Esther was able to stand and expose the truth regarding Haman because she committed it to prayer.

Then King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who dares to do such a thing? Where is this man?”

Esther answered, “Our enemy, our persecutor, is t Bs evil man Haman!”

Haman faced the king and queen with terror. – Esther 7:5-6 GNT

I think there is a relationship between prayer and taking action. When I look at the story of a man’s friends taking him through a roof to see Jesus, and the subsequent  forgiveness of sins and healing, I think it offers some insight here.

A few days later Jesus went back to Capernaum, and the news spread that he was at home.So many people came together that there was no room left, not even out in front of the door. Jesus was preaching the message to themwhen four men arrived, carrying a paralyzed man to Jesus.Because of the crowd, however, they could not get the man to him. So they made a hole in the roof right above the place where Jesus was. When they had made an opening, they let the man down, lying on his mat. Seeing how much faith they had, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

Some teachers of the Law who were sitting there thought to themselves,“How does he dare talk like this? This is blasphemy! God is the only one who can forgive sins!”

At once Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said to them, “Why do you think such things? Is it easier to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’?I will prove to you, then, that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man,“I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

While they all watched, the man got up, picked up his mat, and hurried away. They were all completely amazed and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” – Mark 2:1-12 GNT

When we think we are acting out our faith but notice no internal changes, those should be red flags that we may be hiding behind our religion. May our time of prayer give us the wisdom as to how we will move forward in our relationship with God.

“Those who believe in the Holy Scriptures are bound to observe its teachings. Those who do not are to be bound by its consequences.” – William Bradford

“A salty pagan, full of the juices of life, is a hundred times dearer to God, and also far more attractive to men, than a scribe who knows his Bible…in whom none of this results in repentance, action, and above all, death of the self. A terrible curse hangs over the know-it-all who does nothing.” – Helmut Thielicke

We modern Christians are long on talk and short on conduct…It is easier to pray, “Lord, help me to carry my cross daily” then to pick up the cross and carry it. A.W.Tozer

What would I desire?

praying our desire

Interesting to note the different outcomes between Isaac looking for a wife and Jacob’s search for one.  Isaac was subject to his father and had the wisdom of him and his servant as well as the financial means. Prayer was the key in the entire process. Jacob on the other hand went off on his own with at least his father pointing the way but with no financial resources. Jacob chose a woman of amazing beauty and ended up having to bargain his life for her. He also omitted prayer other the bargaining one he offered at the beginning of his trip. He gave no consideration to character and did not seek counsel. He did not even know he was breaking the customs of the day by choosing the younger sister in the family.

Esther again comes up as a model and challenges me on my prayer walk. How am I motivated, what prayer would I pray to save someone’s life, or what desire would I seek above all others?

“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king asked. “Tell me what you want, and you shall have it—even if it is half my empire.”

Esther replied, “If it please Your Majesty, I would like you and Haman to be my guests tonight at a banquet I am preparing for you.” – Esther 5:3-4 GNT

 She prayed for the safety and protection of her people. I am challenged for there are so many I know that will not be safe or protected for they do not know Jesus. If I believe prayer changes things, then this type of prayer that Esther models is the kind of prayer I need to be praying.

If I can believe for their salvation, why not believe for times where those who need a touch from God receive it through prayer.

Publius’ father was in bed, sick with fever and dysentery. Paul went into his room, prayed, placed his hands on him, and healed him. – Acts 28:8 GNT

I believe this is what it looks like to walk in the kingdom of God.

“Almost two years ago, while discussing with my colleagues the outcomes of some research concerning the practices of everyday life, we observed that many people assert that they pray regularly. This outcome is surely no surprise. Wishing to investigate this theme in depth, however, I  have found that in sociology there are relatively few studies about this specific aspect of religiosity. This is especially surprising, since in virtually all studies of the sociology of religious behaviour it is clearly apparent that a very high percentage of people declare they pray every day – and many say even many times a day.” – Giuseppe Giordan, Toward a Sociology of Prayer

 

 

 

 

 

Desperate prayer

I believe somewhere in my life I have uttered a few prayers where I bargained with God – trading off for a blessing with some sort of promise to serve Him. Fortunately God did not condemn me for such prayers for I believe He understood my weakness and my desires. I am not sure if this prayer was such a prayer, but in many ways it was also a desperate prayer.

Then Jacob made a vow to the Lord: “If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then you will be my God. This memorial stone which I have set up will be the place where you are worshiped, and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me.” – Genesis 28:20-22 GNT

Esther made a request too, but her’s was much more mature and in many ways, much more desperate.

“Go and get all the Jews in Susa together; hold a fast and pray for me. Don’t eat or drink anything for three days and nights. My servant women and I will be doing the same. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. If I must die for doing it, I will die.” – Esther 4:16 GNT

Esther became a changed woman – she had a determination that came from God. She knew the only way she could make a bold appearance was with supported prayer and fasting.

Jesus took some time to explain this too. Special spiritual battles sometimes require special preparation with prayer and fasting. He shared this with the disciples who faced a stubborn case of demonic possession.

Watching the exchange of conversation between Mordecai and Hathach encourages me that maybe I should get more involved in knowing what is going on in my community too. Should I be finding out about others griefs and joys so that I may add my prayers and praise with them? If I am to weep with those who weep, should I not know why they are weeping? I am sure if I did, I would be asked to participate in intercessory prayer and possibly entertain a request that would require a gift of time and of intervention. And if intervention, would I come up with excuses as to how I could not participate? What I do know is that I am invited into the court of the King of kings, and can approach the footstool of His throne of grace at any time, boldly, and may be sure of an answer of peace to my prayer of faith. I am welcome, not only into the inner court, but even into the holiest, through the blood of Jesus.

That is where Esther found herself. She knew spiritual power comes from God in answer to prayer. Prayer and fasting opens the possibilities to the miraculous. That is what I am looking for. I want to see God move and I know that usually means He moves in me.

Paul shows another side of God coming alongside us.

“And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve” (Acts 27:22-23).

The only important facts here are – I belong to God and I serve Him – and in that order. Am I not on this earth for one ultimate reason – to glorify God? With that intent I am here to pray for many to come to know God. Our souls are very precious to Him.  These are times for desperate prayers.

“Prayer is awe, intimacy, struggle – yet the way to reality. There is nothing more important, or harder, or richer, or more life-altering. There is absolutely nothing so great as prayer.” – Timothy Keller

 

Humanity in prayer

praying-hands

It was Jesus who showed me His own humanity when He prayed.

Then he returned to the three disciples and found them asleep; and he said to Peter, “How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me for even one hour? He returned once more and found the disciples asleep; they could not keep their eyes open. Then he returned to the disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look! The hour has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to the power of sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, here is the man who is betraying me!” – Matthew 26:40,43,45-46 GNT

The Jewish custom of praying during this time would be to stand when they prayed. At times there would be kneeling. When one throws themselves to the ground on their face to pray – that would be a sign of abject humility. Jesus was offering an intense prayer – that included crying and tears presented to God.

I pray that I could have that same humility when I pray for those who have never been introduced to Jesus.

You are to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God’s chosen people. – Acts 26:18 GNT

Prayer the church’s banquet, angel’s age,
God’s breath in man returning to his birth,
The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage,
The Christian plummet sounding heav’n and earth
Engine against th’ Almighty, sinner’s tow’r,
Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear,
The six-days world transposing in an hour,
A kind of tune, which all things hear and fear;
Softness, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss,
Exalted manna, gladness of the best,
Heaven in ordinary, man well drest,
The milky way, the bird of Paradise,
Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the soul’s blood,
The land of spices; something understood. – George Herbert, Prayer (I)