Prayer
Well, I'm happy to report that I am feeling much better. I'm sure some of you prayed for me after my blog entry last week. Thank-you. Prayer is very powerful and such an important part of walking with God. But we often struggle with prayer. We don't know what to ask for or we are confused about God's lack of response. I've heard it said that God always answers our prayers but His answer may be not what we expect.
The gospel reading from last Sunday, Luke 8:26-39, shows Jesus answering requests in surprising ways.
1. "Yes": Jesus says "yes" to the requests of demons
verse 32: "The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission"
2. "Yes": Jesus listens to the request of the people who have seen His great power and are afraid so they want Him to get away from them.
verse 37: "Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left."
3."No": Jesus refuses the desire of the man who He had just delivered from demons
verse 38: "The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away"
4."Go": Instead, Jesus gives the man a new mission
verse 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
What I take away from this story is that Jesus has authority to answer prayer. He has the authority to say "yes", to say "no", and to say "go". As we come to Him with our requests, be confident that He is listening and He will answer. He sees you. He knows you. He will answer according to your true need and His plans for you. So, keep on praying....
By the way, I'm not sure how much I will be writing over the summer. It will probably be a bit sporadic. I hope and pray that each of you has a summer filled with God's grace and your gratitude.
In Christ,
Tracy
The gospel reading from last Sunday, Luke 8:26-39, shows Jesus answering requests in surprising ways.
1. "Yes": Jesus says "yes" to the requests of demons
verse 32: "The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission"
2. "Yes": Jesus listens to the request of the people who have seen His great power and are afraid so they want Him to get away from them.
verse 37: "Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left."
3."No": Jesus refuses the desire of the man who He had just delivered from demons
verse 38: "The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away"
4."Go": Instead, Jesus gives the man a new mission
verse 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
What I take away from this story is that Jesus has authority to answer prayer. He has the authority to say "yes", to say "no", and to say "go". As we come to Him with our requests, be confident that He is listening and He will answer. He sees you. He knows you. He will answer according to your true need and His plans for you. So, keep on praying....
By the way, I'm not sure how much I will be writing over the summer. It will probably be a bit sporadic. I hope and pray that each of you has a summer filled with God's grace and your gratitude.
In Christ,
Tracy
Thanks, Tracy, for this post which is really helpful and encouraging at a time when I am trying to renew a focus on praying through my circumstances and praying for others. It is great to " hear your voice" in this virtual way! I will look forward to reading more posts as and when you are able to write them through the summer.
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