Years ago, my mother was suffering from a physical problem.
After she said the doctor had no solutions for her, I suggested that she pray
about it. She replied, “No. This is a physical thing, not a spiritual thing.”
That shocked me. In my mind, God cares about every detail in
our lives. He knows the number of the hairs on our heads. He cares for the
sparrows. Salvation brings us into a personal relationship with Him, one that
gives us access to His throne, and the blessing of calling Him Abba, Father.
Jesus healed many from their ailments. Why not ask Him about our own? If He does
not heal us, He could reveal His purpose for the sickness.
Chambers devotional for the day is obviously edited from a
longer piece that has more clarity. However, he reminds me of what my mom said
by suggesting to not ask for anything apart from seeking God; if I ask for
anything from life, I’m asking in error. I’m not sure what he means other than God
is my first priority and I’m not to use prayer like a genie in a bottle, even
though Jesus said . . .
“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)
Chambers puts emphasis on seeking, being thirsty, knocking, being
whole-hearted about wanting God, not what God might give me for this life. He
wants me to know I am a beggar who pleads God for mercy. I have no right at all
to ask for anything else. His words sounded like I cannot ask for food on the
table, a decent job, wisdom in my relationships, healing for sickness, and
certainly not for parking places and the ability to find a bargain, or be like
a woman I know who prays about everything, including grace to help her choose
the right outfit to wear each day.
This attitude of ‘not praying about what we can do’ is fairly
common. I’ve been told that to ask God for things like that is silly. He gave
us brains and we are supposed to use them, not bother Him about the trivia of
life.
Chambers didn’t say that. What I think he says (and I
thought about this all day) is in these words of Jesus . . .
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (food, drink, clothes) will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
I am to put first things first. When I do that, because God
cares about everything needed, He will make sure I shall not want. Living for
Him means godliness and also struggles, but He does not withhold basic
necessities. He wants me to trust Him for everything, and when I have His glory
in mind, then asking for anything seems biblical, not always selfishly praying.
But this topic made me consider how much of my praying is selfish.
I want this or that because it will benefit me in some way, or at least make me
more comfortable. How often my motivation is not the glory of God but the glory
of me.
I don’t know if my mother thought that asking God to help
her with illness was selfish. More likely she had somehow compartmentalized her
life and left God out of parts of it. If I’m honest, I’m also guilty of that.
Do I rely on Him only when hungry, thirsty, feeling needy? Or do I rely on Him
for all things, like my daily bread as well as forgiveness for sin and the
ability to do as He asks of me?
It seems to me that this discussion is not about what I ask
for, but the reasons why I’m asking. The Westminster Confession says the chief
end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Yet if my chief end is much
less pious, and I just want to get through a problem, it seems to me I can
still ask. I sometimes really have no clue what will glorify Him. Will it be an
answer to my self-focused prayer? Or will it be the discovery that I can go on
in faith without having the prayer answered?
God knows. He invites me to ask about anything and
everything — and whether He says YES, NOT NOW, or NO, to simply trust Him with
the answers.
________________________________________
Personal Note: ‘Normal’
is slower to show up than I’d hoped. Every action seemed to be in slow motion
with threats of falling over. A couple times I wanted the Lord to return and
take me home. Instead, I asked Him what He wanted me to do. Shortly a neighbor
dropped over and told me to quit trying to do the usual, get more rest, and get
my energy back. God speaks in unexpected ways!
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