We tend to put people into a box and get them all sized up and figured out (or so we think). We think we know how they will probably act, and what they will probably say. We lament their lack of maturity. Though we might not admit it openly, in our hearts we sincerely doubt their ability to grow or ever change. Either we doubt they will ever repent and turn from sin unto Christ because it just seems so unlikely. Or, if they are a Christian who is more in love with the things of this world than they are with Christ, we are repulsed. We think it such a shame. But are we praying for them?
Our lack of faith in God's ability to work in hearts and to bring about change is a hindrance to our prayers. Do you notice the sin issues in your own life? Do you believe that with God's grace and power working in you that you can change? What about other people in your life? Do you believe that God can work in their heart and life to bring about change?
There is never a heart that is too dark for the light of God's Word to penetrate. As God's people, we should be hopeful, prayerful, and never give up on people. This lesson has been brought home to me in recent years as I have actually seen God work in a person's heart and life, despite my lack of prayer. You know what it's like. Someone starts talking about all this stuff they are into and you begin to feel a very heavy burden for them because you know that those things grieve God. Do you pray for them? Or do you just tuck that away in some corner thinking "Ok, now I see what they're all about, this person has some serious issues." Our concerns for them should lead us to pray for them, asking God to work in their hearts. We should know firsthand how much he is working, when we think of how much he has helped us to grow and mature.
We should also pray for our husbands and our children when we are concerned about their sin. I confess I have not always been in the habit of doing this. Sometimes I just lament it, get annoyed with it, and just wish it weren't so. We must take the time to bring these concerns to God. I have seen God accomplish more in one day when I finally decided I was going to pray, than all my fretting accomplished for several years. Go to the One who is working in the hearts of men and plead with him.
Last week I had the opportunity to teach three of my children, who had offended one another, the importance of forgiveness and love. I'm teaching them that love hopes all things and believes all things (1 Corinthians 13). Love does not hold past mistakes against others, but if love is hoping and believing, love should also be praying. People should not feel the weight of our condemnation upon them, making them feel hopeless as though they can never get anything right or never be able to change.
"I already told her I don't like that and she does it anyway!"
"He wouldn't stop teasing me. I told him to stop!"
We think about how we've been treated and we don't expect the person who wronged us to change any time soon. I mean, we wish they would, but we don't see it coming any time soon, if ever. Isn't this attitude hopeless and faithless?
I coached my children in going to each other when they have been offended and talking it out rather than coming to me with an emotional outburst. Yes, Matthew 18 applies to small children too! I led them through this and the process of the "offender" seeking forgiveness and the offended being willing to forgive.
I taught them how to pray for each other with something like this...
"It hurts me when she does this, help me to respond
in a way that will bring you honor. Help me to always
forgive. Please help her to stop doing this.
Help her to change...work in her heart Lord."
Brothers and sisters praying for each other, how precious is that? Sadly, I'm not sure if I have ever really taught them this before. I mean specifically praying for the brother or sister who has offended you. How did I overlook this?
Is your faith in God? Do you believe in his power to bring about change in a person's life, no matter how deep the sin? He can do it! Let's go to him in prayer, asking him to work in hearts.
Is your faith in God? Do you believe in his power to bring about change in a person's life, no matter how deep the sin? He can do it! Let's go to him in prayer, asking him to work in hearts.
"...Confess your sins one to another and pray for one another
that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person
has great power as it is working." James 5:16
This next passage is a longer one, but notice what Paul is praying for...
in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory,
may give you a spirit of wisdom and
of revelation in the knowledge of him,
having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what
is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable
greatness of his power toward us who believe,
according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ
when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the
heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this
age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under
his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
Ephesians 1:16-23
"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood
of the eternal covenant,
equip you with everything good that
you may do his will,
working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Hebrews 13:20-21
[re-posted from the archives of my former blog // dated 7.27.2011]
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