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Prayer Balance

 
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Prayer-Soldier
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:27 pm    Post subject: Prayer Balance Reply with quote

And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, saying : Ask what you will that I should give you. And Solomon said: You have shown great mercy to your servant David my father, even at, he walked before you in truth, and justice, and an upright heart with you: and you have kept your great mercy for him, and have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people which you have chosen, an immense people, which cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore to your servant an understanding heart, to judge your people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, your people which is so numerous?

And the word was pleasing to the Lord that Solomon had asked such a thing. And the Lord said to Solomon: Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, nor the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself wisdom to discern judgment, behold I have done for you according to your words, and have given you a wise and understanding heart, insomuch that there have been no one like you before you, nor shall arise after you.
(1 Kings 3:5-12)

For what do we ask of God? Our prayers may be of many things, but do we ever ask ourselves, how balanced is our prayer? How often do we spend time in prayer asking for blessings or miracles to meet our needs and wants? How often do we spend time in prayer to offer thanks and praise or simply to understand that which God asks of us? Is there a balance so that we have a true conversation with the Lord and that we might better come to understand the depths of the heart of God?

As a parent is want to give to a child to see the smile which spreads across their faith, God desires too for our happiness. So it is that God has asked us to tell Him what we want so that He may grant that for which we petition. He told us that wherever two or more of us are gathered together, He would grant that for which we ask; but do we understand the responsibility He has given us through such a great gift?

We should periodically examine the nature of our prayer. We should ask ourselves how often we petition God for our wants and desires as opposed to asking what we can do to serve His will. We must have trust that our prayers of petition will be granted according to the need which God knows though it it is not always as we perceive our need to be. We may petition God for removal of some obstacle, for removing some cause of stress or pain, for healing of our afflictions; but more importantly we should ask for understanding of the greater good which may come from our trials.

He knows our need before we pray, but He still desires our prayer for He has left the ability to pray to our choice. We may choose to turn to Him in prayer or turn away by devoting our time elsewhere. His love for us is so great that He desires to give us every possible chance to turn to Him. Through prayer, we may remain with Him, but if we truly desire to know Him, our prayer should not be for that which we desire, but for that which will help us understand Him and to serve His will.

God offered Solomon the opportunity to receive anything for which He asked, but rather than asking God for that which would serve the pleasure of Solomon, the young man asked God for that which would allow Solomon to do the will of God. Solomon did not ask God to shoulder the burden, rather, he asked God for that which would enable Solomon to serve the will of God and to care in wisdom and love for the people of God.

Such a request is an example of fulling the commandments of love. Through such a request, Solomon expressed his love for God, to serve His will. Through such as request, Solomon expressed his love for the the children of God, for Solomon asked for that which would enable Solomon to wisely care for those to which God had placed in the hands of Solomon.

In prayer, we have many opportunities to communicate with God. As we ponder the balance our our prayers, let us be like Solomon, asking not for our desire, but first offering thanks for our blessings and for that which will help us do the work He desires so that we may care for one another.

And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be made conformable to the image of his Son; that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren. And whom he predestined, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)

As we struggle with our daily ventures, we should sometimes stop to ponder for what purpose we toil under the sun. If it is as some would contend that we all exist through some colossal accident, then, we should realize all that we do is for no purpose, for whatever is set in motion will end in death and eternal nothingness as the energy of the universe is consumed and all grinds to a frozen darkness. It we exist as some would say, without the benefit of a creator, there is nothing we can do which would serve a purpose for there is no design, no benefit, no life through which what we do may live. If we ponder that we came from nothing and were formed through nothing, because there was no intelligence of design, then, we are nothing. We are simply randomness playing its course, but its only course is to end unless there is a guiding hand to give all which exists eternal motion and purpose.

Blessed are we that there is greater hope, for what we are begins with the design of our Creator. It is no mere accident that each of us walks among one another for we all are created for a purpose. Our purpose is derived from the talents He has woven into each of us, our understanding of those talents and our understanding as to how we may use what God has given to do that for which He has destined for us. He calls us each by name, but it will not be possible to fulfill that to which we are called if we choose not to respond.

Whatever our ambition, if it is not done through Him and with Him, then, our moments will fade into darkness. There will be no glory to what we do, for there is no purpose without what He has designed. Let us, then, ask in prayer what we may do to serve in His design, to serve His will, so that we may become part of what shall live forever and ever as part of the eternity of the great and glorious kingdom of our Lord and Savior.

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in a field, which a man having found, hid it, and for joy thereof goes, and sells all that he has, and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went his way, and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Again the kingdom of heaven is like to a net cast into the sea, and gathering together of all kind of fishes, which when it was filled, they drew out, and sitting by the shore, they chose out the good into vessels, but the bad they cast forth. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Have you understood all these things? They say to him: Yes. He said unto them: Therefore every scribe instructed in the kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is a householder, who brings forth out of his treasure new things and old.
(Matthew 13:44-52)

If all could fathom what awaits for them if they respond to the call of their Savior, they would clamor constantly to Him. They would allow nothing to divert them for they would not risk losing such an incomprehensible treasure. When one fails to understand the value of what they have they do not take measures to guard it, to protect it, to preserve it. Sad are those who lose all that is offered to them for eternity for the pursuit of that which perishes in the flash of a moment.

So much has been offered us through the sacrifice of our Lord upon the cross and so blessed are we that He casts His net for us, but what will we be when we are examined for what we have done and what we have failed to do? Our choices will determine how we appear to the One who examines the catch and decides what is kept and what will be cast away.

Loving is His eye, despite all of our sins, for if He did not love, He would not forgive. It is forgiveness which allows our stains to be washed away. It is forgiveness which allows us to be cleansed so that we may be part of the catch which is retained. Unlike the fish, we choose how we appear for He left it to our choice as to whether forgiveness is ours. Those who do not accept the blessing which is offered will remain uncleansed and will be removed from the gathered and cast into the abyss. Great remorse will fill those, once it is too late to make another choice, who finally understand that which could have been if it were not for the forgiveness spurned.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier

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