Greetings in Christ,
How often do we think about how God works in our lives? It is hard sometimes to contemplate just how God interacts with our lives even daily let alone a minute-by-minute time frame. We have the tendency to think He is too busy and does not have time to even think about us, but we are wrong. God does care about us even down to the last detail of our minute-by-minute life. The scripture gives us a look at some examples of how God has interacted with the people as they have lived their lives.
Elisha had been going by a Shunammite woman’s house quite frequently in his travels and she offered to feed Elisha while he was on his journeys. She fed Elisha many times and even told her husband to build an upper room for him so he could sleep and rest after his traveling. Elisha was so impressed with her willingness to care for him he asked her if she needed anything. She wanted a son. Elisha told her she would bear a son. She had her son, but he died when he was older. She sent for Elisha, and he came to her house to see what he could do. Elisha prayed for her son, and after much prayer the son was alive again. God was at work in the Shunammite woman’s life.
Saul had been struck down on his way to Damascus, and he became blind. Ananias was in another town close by. God had spoken to Ananias to go to Saul to speak to him and to pray for him. Ananias had some reservation in going but listened to God as He was firm in Ananias going to Saul. Ananias arrived and began talking to Saul. Saul had been praying to God, and God told Saul Ananias would visit him. Ananias laid his hands on Saul’s eyes, prayed, and scales fell off his eyes. God was at work in Saul’s life.
John the Baptist had been living in the desert preparing for his time of ministry. One day while he was out in the desert God spoke to him and told him it was time to prepare the people for Jesus. John began his ministry in the Jordan area and began preaching and baptizing people telling them the time had come for them to prepare for the salvation of mankind. Many people began to believe John was the Messiah, but he quickly told them he was not worthy to even loosen the straps of Jesus’ sandals. Jesus was coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit while he was only baptizing with water. God was at work in John the Baptist’s life.
We do not know just how God will interact with us in our lives, but there is one thing for certain, if we do not pray to Him He will not work in our lives. In the scriptures, the key element for God to be working in those people’s lives was prayer. The scripture does not indicate John was praying when he heard God speak, but more than likely he was in conversation with God. The others had been in prayer and used prayer as the means for an answer to their situation. They wanted God to work in their lives in many ways.
I came across a commentator’s comments on prayer the other day. He had made the statement, “…prayer which brings a constant renewal of the Holy Spirit.” This made my mind think a little deeper on the thought and it made more sense the more I thought on it. It is the willingness on our part to submit to God all our troubles, concerns, and desires, but what it does for us when we pray has more of an impact than we realize. God does really care about our lives, and He wants to be at work in our lives in many ways.
The key element for any Christian to live a life here on earth is to pray to God. We cannot do anything beyond our capabilities or even accomplish what we would like to do without God working in our lives. Prayer helps us trust, take a stand, and to move forward in faith to accomplish more than we could imagine. Without prayer Elisha, Saul, Ananias, and John the Baptist would have not been able to accomplish anything. We would not have these examples of prayer and dependence on God in the Bible if they did not pray to God on a regular basis. Every time they prayed, they were renewed with the Holy Spirit.
God does want to work in our lives in many ways, and prayer can make it happen!
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the Lord; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces will never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life
and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil ad your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:1-14
Lord may we be able to reach heaven as we kneel to pray. May our prayers draw us closer to You as are renewed with the Holy Spirit. Amen
Blessings,