Post by Admin on Nov 24, 2013 9:07:17 GMT
There were so many challenges for me in the James passage - two that really stand out are the confidence-in-prayer bit (verses 5-8) and the transience-of-prosperity section (verses 9-11).
I feel that my prayers always end up so weedy, with "ifs" and "buts" scattered around, which is really because either I don't want God to say no to my requests, or am not sure he's really got them on his radar. I feel very challenged to pray more confidently for real things. I guess it comes down to the reality of the encounter with God - Paul had such a dramatic experience of God's personal interest in him: maybe if I'd had such an encounter then the powerful reality of God's potential to intervene in the world would be a more immediate part of my thinking when I prayed! But I did see a "tweet" from Graham Hyde this week that simply said "amazement is not faith," which is quite a striking thought, too.
So, resolution #1: pray simple, concrete prayers for the week. I think this week I will pray specifically
(a) That our lodger, Yanglin, will be moved by God at Alpha this week, shifting from academic interest to encounter, and
(b) That I will "want to want" a meaningful time of prayer with God every day!
The second bit - transience of prosperity - my translation renders
"Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it." is nor so hard to appreciate ... business reminds me of this every day of every week! But it reminded me that there is no escape from this - only the illusion of escape. I could be a wage employee, but that's still not security. Illness, or commercial decisions, can still remove material security.
I feel that my prayers always end up so weedy, with "ifs" and "buts" scattered around, which is really because either I don't want God to say no to my requests, or am not sure he's really got them on his radar. I feel very challenged to pray more confidently for real things. I guess it comes down to the reality of the encounter with God - Paul had such a dramatic experience of God's personal interest in him: maybe if I'd had such an encounter then the powerful reality of God's potential to intervene in the world would be a more immediate part of my thinking when I prayed! But I did see a "tweet" from Graham Hyde this week that simply said "amazement is not faith," which is quite a striking thought, too.
So, resolution #1: pray simple, concrete prayers for the week. I think this week I will pray specifically
(a) That our lodger, Yanglin, will be moved by God at Alpha this week, shifting from academic interest to encounter, and
(b) That I will "want to want" a meaningful time of prayer with God every day!
The second bit - transience of prosperity - my translation renders
"Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it." is nor so hard to appreciate ... business reminds me of this every day of every week! But it reminded me that there is no escape from this - only the illusion of escape. I could be a wage employee, but that's still not security. Illness, or commercial decisions, can still remove material security.
