Prayer Meeting SHOCK!
It was Wednesday night and we were in groups of six to pray for those whose names had been called. Some of us prayed such cautiously-wise prayers, being careful to add "...but Thy will be done." Others prayed such deep prayers -- almost mini-sermons designed to show how well we knew the scriptures. Of course, all of us made sure we remembered the names of all the requests.
Then HE prayed. The shy young man was obviously a baby Christian, and it seemed he was taking the risk of praying out loud for the very first time. His voice trembled as he prayed not for the requests, but for himself.
He said, "Jesus, please keep us in the hard times -- those times when we want to give up. Don't let us give up, Jesus!" The raw honesty and child-like simplicity of his prayer brought me to tears, and I was ashamed of the way I have complicated my walk with You, Lord. I remembered what it was like to need You and Your strength minute-by-minute, just to survive! It was a glorious time because I had such an intimate knowledge of You that seems to have dimmed with time.
I'm embarrassed by my "religious sophistication" and "grown-up" attitudes of Christianity. Like so many others who came to You many years ago, I have have been satisfied with past experience. This young man's prayer reminded me of the child who is so mother-aware that he runs to her without even thinking about it when he feels insecure. I, too, must have a Father-awareness at all times, or lose our intimacy.
Somehow, I've allowed immediate, but less-important matters of this world to creep in and dull my memory. Until tonight, I forgot how miserably I failed at living without holding onto Your holding of me. I am so grateful for the gift of this young man's prayer. It woke me up to my laziness in my own faith walk.
Forgive my independent spirit, Lord, and take me back to that time when, as a child, I first believed You. I miss You, Lord. And I miss the precious intimacy we shared.
4 comments:
If only more christians prayed like this man. We are all wounded by life and humility is what pleases God. I think this man demonstrated his total dependence on Jesus Christ. Good work on this one.
I couldn't agree more, Dana. Somehow, it can take "hitting bottom" to be able to have that kind of humility. I always think of the Parable of The Prodigal Son when I think of humility. And look how the Father elevated His humble son. And remember: this son walked away from his Father's house by choice. This gives all of us who were prodigals enormous hope.
I visited your link to GeoVi's Home for New Life and I want to thank you for providing this wonderful link. The website is adorable and the cause is so worthy. I pray each baby born will grow up to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Thank you, Georgia, for visiting Avis Ward's too-cute site for unwed or troubled girls. She's a wonderful Christian who is living out her faith, and I do hope you made a contribution!