Quiet Moments With God -- A Perfect Prayer

Yesterday, my pastor painted a vivid picture of Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane the night of his arrest. Though I'm well acquainted with this portion of scripture I saw it with new eyes. I love that about God's Word--there is always more to learn.

That night, Jesus knew what lay ahead--his arrest, brutal beatings, rejection, crucifixion, the weight of the world's sin laid upon him and the forsaking of The Father. He was the man/God and as a man he asked three of his disciples to wait with Him. He wanted his friends with him. He also wanted the disciples to witness his humanity and a humility which is greater than pride.

If the disciples had remained awake that night they would have seen the heart of their Lord. In Mark 14:33 & 34 it says, he was deeply distressed and in 34 Jesus tells the disciples, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." And then He goes away and He prays that if it were possible that the hour might pass from Him. "Abba Father," he said, "Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

What a perfect example for us. Jesus told those he loved that he was distressed and he wanted them with him. (His disciples let Him down.) Jesus went to His Father and prayed his heart. He was honest with God, but ultimately wanted God's will, not His own.

What a blessed reminder -- God's will, not mine.

In recent weeks I've said many prayers, beseeching God for mercy and help, wisdom and discernment. And He's answered. But when I look around me, all is not well. Life challenges my faith. There are no answers only a desire and need to trust. I pray my heart, but I pray for God's will above all else. I long for the faith to see beyond my present circumstances and for assurance that nothing touches me or the ones' I love except by God's permission.

When we place our lives into the hands of Almighty God and trust Him, He will show us the way. He will give us peace. When Jesus knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane that fateful night He did not demand His own way. He did not "name it and claim it", as it were. No, He placed himself under His Father's authority and he obeyed by laying down His life for all mankind. What if He had refused?

His prayer is a perfect prayer. His heart is a perfect heart. He is our perfect example.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Be Careful What You Ask For

Temptation, frustration and discontent are part of being human. The television shouts at us, hoping to convince us we can't live without the latest gadget, or the stories streaming across the airwaves do their best to convince us that the troubles of life are easily and quickly resolved. We want perfection from ourselves or our friends and family. We want to be smarter or prettier or healthier. And we go to God with our list of wishes.

Beware, for we have only 20/20 vision at best. But God sees it all. And yet, we often believe we know best, and when God doesn't immediately answer our prayers, we ask again. We may even demand. There are times that He gives us what we demand, even though He knows our desires are not best. Sometimes that's the only way we learn.

In 1 Samuel 8 the people wanted a King, even though it wasn't what God wanted. Through the prophet, Samuel, God reminded the Israelites what it meant to have a king. Their sons would be called to fight wars, their daughters would be forced to cook and bake and make perfumes for the king and his officials. And the king would take a tenth of their grain and the rest of their harvest . . . and a long list of other requisitions. Life lived under the leadership of an earthly king would be unsettled and harsh. But the people persisted. So, God gave them what they wanted--King Saul. In the end they paid a heavy price.

I have my list of wants. Some of them line up with God's plans for me, but there are other desires that aren't part of His will for me. Still, it is a battle to release them. Again and again I must remind myself, "Not my will, but thine."

Some of the tough stuff I live with puzzles me. I don't like it and I ask, "Why?" God's answers gently, "Trust me."

And so I pray and relinquish my desires. The more I seek His face, the more His voice drowns out the world's and my own. And sometimes I am rewarded by exquisite moments when peace rushes in and carries me above the stridency of the world.

God knows best and when we settle into His will we find a quiet place of peace and contentment. If only I could abide there always.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie