Greetings!

Today marks the beginning of a new work week…a new month, and we are thankful! These days it seems there’s precious little for which to be thankful, because of the constancy of daily challenges. Every day seems to bring a new challenge and as people of faith, there are times when we wonder in our hearts, even if we are afraid to do so out loud, whether God actually hears, understands or even cares…there, I said it!

I am sure that as you read this, you can bring to conscious thought, several persons who have died [suddenly] within the course of the past year and others who are even now going through health/wellness and related challenges, that keep them constantly at the throne of Grace but…to what end?

Recently, during morning devotion, I came across a particular question that struck such a chord, vibrations are still being felt, calling forth a response that is singular, in the sense that it addresses no one but me, and yet it is plural, because of the many layers of conditioning and practice, with respect to [the role of] prayer, that must be peeled away, to ensure that the bared kernel, is open and receptive to God’s in-breaking.

The question is taken from the online devotional Lectio 365 – which by the way, I would recommend as a great starter to pre-dawn devotions, particularly if you have a preference during that time, for engaging the discipline of deep listening. I cannot now recall in what week/episode it was shared but I do know that there’s not a day since reading it, that I have not in some way, shape or form, contemplated its significance to my faith journey and development as a believer. Here it is below…

‘Am I tempted to downgrade my expectations of God’s power, in order to protect myself from disappointment? What attitudes and practices might help me to get the balance right, between mountain-moving faith and patient trust?’

 Ok…pause and breathe, for there’s no stock, or off the cuff answer to this one! Like I said earlier, I bring it to consciousness regularly and in so doing, endeavor to open my heart to God-moments which, amidst disappointments, confirm beyond doubt, that I am deeply loved by God, who in all things [whether or not I fully understand or appreciate that fact],is at work…in the world and my life.

It was no surprise this morning, then, that I was drawn [via the same Lection365]to a rather interesting interview/discussion, dealing with prayer of the unanswered variety; in it, author Pete Greig, illustrated metaphorically, the relationship between faith and faithfulness..

Many of us have and exercise faith, whether its size is like a mustard seed or, wonder of wonders, a tad bigger. But there’s something else that Greig was at pains to point out. When we don’t get that for which we intercede, or when God seems far away or silent, none of these he says, is necessarily an indication of weak faith or God’s lack of interest in or care for us. In fact, such times ought to be seen as invitations…to burrow even more deeply into the welcome folds of divine love. Greig used images that conveyed so much [spiritual] sense; explaining that when our prayers and petitions seem to go unanswered – get this – God has chosen [for reasons best known to Him] to parachute Himself into our troubling situations, to be with us [Immanuel], rather than air-lift us out of them. Yes, this calls for another pause break, so…breathe!

So, here’s the bottom line; God is always working, whether or not we believe He has answered our prayers; this is where the imperative of faithfulness in the exercise of faith, comes into play. Faithfulness affirms that we will continue to believe, and here’s the pivotal word…trust God, even when in the exercise of our faith, our prayers are not answered in the ways we desire. The goal of prayer then, is faith-filled surrender…emptying ourselves of everything…offering them to God, so that He can fill us with whatever will enable us, in the valley of the shadow of death, to fear no evil!

This is a lot on which to chew but a necessary activity, for the health and vitality of our prayer lives. So wrestle with it…with the fact that integral to the exercise of faith is faithfulness...in surrendering to and trusting God, who will always act in our and His kingdom’s best interest.

Until next week…continue to remain in His grip.

Grace+