March is Mad and spring has sprung...

The spring is upon us here in southeast Georgia with 80 degree days it has arrived in full bloom. Unfortunately so is allergy season and it has not yet reached full bloom. That bothers more folks with annoying symptoms leading them to pray for relief. It often bothers me when people speak of the power of prayer. The power is not in the prayer. Max Lucado penned this thought regarding prayer and power.

When [a friend] told Jesus of the illness [of Lazarus] he said, "Lord, the one you love is sick." He doesn't base his appeal on the imperfect love of the one in need, but on the perfect love of the Savior. He doesn't say, "The one who loves you is sick." He says, "The one you love is sick." The power of the prayer, in other words, does not depend on the one who makes the prayer, but on the one who hears the prayer.

We can and must repeat the phrase in manifold ways. "The one you love is tired, sad, hungry, lonely, fearful, depressed." The words of the prayer vary, but the response never changes. The Savior hears the prayer. He silences heaven, so he won't miss a word. He hears the prayer.

As you pray the power comes from Christ alone. The love comes from Christ alone and the healing comes from Christ alone and you are never alone says Christ alone!

So, let’s pray without ceasing so that all will be “done on earth as it is in heaven.” The purpose of prayer is to bring us into the presence of Christ. It empowers our relationship by reconnecting us to the source of life; the one who made all things and holds all things together.

Often we gage the power of prayer and/or our relationship with Christ by the successful results of our request. Is that an accurate measure? By no means, we are speaking to God who is omniscient and we are not. God who is all powerful and we are not. God who is omnipresent and we are often not where we are. The purpose of prayer is to orient us to God’s plan through a relationship. Yes, we can ask for anything but God reserves the right and responsibility to be, well GOD! Therefore, the answer could be NO, YES or wait (the ugliest four letter word in the English language).

He is God you know!

But was it a waste if He did not answer like you requested. Absolutely not, the connection allowed you to be transformed more into the image of Christ. The connection allows us to have our minds tuned to the Kingdom pitch, to resonate with heaven in the purposes and passions of our heavenly Father. No waste here only Glory!

The spring reminds us of the power of God to bring about new life. Prayer plugs us in to that unlimited love which powers the universe.          

In HIS Service and Yours,

The Rev

P.S. Rock Chalk Jayhawk sweet 16 win on the way!