Have you ever considered how weird it is to pray to God? I’m not referring to prayers where we’re praising God or thanking him; nor do I mean prayers where we’re seeking God’s forgiveness. Those types of prayer make sense. What’s weird is when we pray for things that we (or others) need, things which might range from biggies (like salvation for a loved one; or healing; or a job), to something as “minor” as praying to find a parking-spot. That’s called intercessory prayer. So why is intercessory prayer “weird”? Because God is sovereign and he loves us.
Before time began, God, in love, chose us for salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5); and before time began, he set in motion a plan for all things, including our lives. “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” (Psalm 33:11); and God says, in Isaiah 46:10:
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. (NIV)
If he’s planned everything from the beginning, what’s the point in praying for things to happen? “Well, if he loves us, maybe he’ll change his mind, if we ask him nicely.” Apparently not:
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he not speak, and then not act? Does he promise, and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19 NIV)
In love, he’s already got everything worked out for us! Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8) Then why ask? Because Christians live by faith (trust) in Jesus; going to God in prayer shows how alive that trust (faith) really is. How?
Intercessory prayer says, “God, I can’t handle this! But I know and trust that you can. You got this, Lord.” Prayer focuses on God. “Fine. I certainly believe that. What’s the point in praying for things, if he’s got the whole world in his hands?” Because the more we don’t focus on God in prayer, the more we forget he’s truly in control. Rather than praying, we focus on us: “How can I, in my power, solve this problem? What resources do I possess?”
Another thing: most people put their trust in gravity, trusting it will always be true. But how many of us have an intimate, personal relationship with gravity? “That’s ridiculous! Gravity isn’t a person; it’s a force!” Well, if we simply trust that God is in control, but never present our prayer-requests to him, we’re treating him just like gravity. A personal relationship requires communication as well as trust. Doesn’t matter if he’s already set the world’s agenda; he still wants us to come to him and present our sorrows and fears. He wants to hear us say, “I can’t do this, Lord! But you can! Help!”
Does intercessory prayer change things? From our perspective, yes….from God’s perspective, no. But his goal in prayer isn’t so much to change things as it is to change us, to make us trust more and more in God’s loving plan, so that, increasingly, we will truly recognize God’s purposes being accomplished in our lives.
Amen!
– Andrew MacLeod
Prepare your heart for Sunday by reading the passage and listening to the songs we’ll sing.