Just Pray
I often search through my Bible looking for a specific passage to answer a specific question. It usually turns out that I stumble into God’s voice gently, or not, speaking to the issues of my mind and heart that I’m trying with all my might to suppress or avoid. Such was the case this past week as I studied Revelation. (Haha, no pun intended.) 5:8 says, “And when He had taken it, (The scroll) the four living creatures fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”
When my girls were teenagers their cousin was involved in an accident along a country road near our home. As emergency vehicles went speeding by, a few phone calls alerted us to the fact that the victims were loved ones. As a medical helicopter hovered on the horizon panic fought for control in my mind and heart and I began to pray desperately for a need I wasn’t able to describe or define. I also began contacting family and friends and asked them to pass the word, “We need urgent prayer.”
The resilience of youth is to be envied. The only fatality that day was an old UTV used to navigate the farmland all our homes are on. This moment’s tragedy was quickly overcome and we praise God for His hand of mercy that sunny afternoon. I look back and reflect on those pleas for prayer and remember a panic that wanted ALL the world to stop and pray. I did not make a list of attributes I sought in those I would ask to pray, I did not require applications or seek references, nor did I script the prayers I requested. Only…..Pray! Pray! Pray! That was all and that was enough.
John saw Heaven and in Heaven he saw Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, surrounded by the prayers of God’s people. Prayers, mine and yours, every one ever uttered, are in Heaven and Jesus delights in them, they are a fragrant incense that is pleasing.
In all other parts of our lives we sort and order things according to our personal definition of worth. This includes everything from seasoning on roasted chicken, or tofu, to the color and creed of our neighbor. But I noticed when we need help we call all prayer warriors and the only thing that matters is availability.
Jesus calls us to a childlike faith that mirrors itself in our manner of petition. I spend the better part of my days with five and six year olds. They are perfect models of ‘childlike’ and I learn much from their example. If I kept their voices in bowls that surrounded me like incense I would continuously hear, “Guess what teacher…..?”, “Teacher, can you help…….?”, “Teacher I can’t…….”, “I need you teacher…….?”, “Teacher, look……..” “Teacher, teacher…..Oh! I forgot what I was going to say.” “Teacher, I love you.” These are the petitions of childhood, THIS IS THE FAITH OF A CHILD toward the one they trust and I delight in their words.
God delights in our prayer!!! Children don’t seek deep theology, they love deeply, make their requests passionately and celebrate/worship with total abandon. Oh that we would be like them.
God’s people are invited to pray as a child. Our words are so precious to Heaven that they are saved and brought out often.
Love,
Gretchen