Mr.Lacson thought of a plan to help his local church grow. He was convinced that it was a good plan but his colleagues did not agree with him. They favoured another plan which he thought was not as good as his. He prayed that God would move his colleagues to accept his plan. But the situation remained the same.
What are Mr.Lacson’s options? Will he persist in his prayer? Or should he re-evaluate his prayer? If Mr.Lacson is totally open to God’s design and is ready to accept it, he might realize that :
1. The other plan may be better than his. The reason he was pushing for his own idea was pride. If this is the case, he has to repent before God and then wholeheartedly support the other plan. James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.”
2. His plan may be better but his arrogant and abrasive attitude repels would-be supporters. If this is the case, he must confess his sin, change his attitude and get right with the others. James adds further, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
3. His plan may be better but it is ahead of its time. He should learn to be patient and wait for God’s time. In the meantime, he should continue to support his colleagues and help them grow, so that they may become one in spirit.
Have you noticed that all the above possibilities involve some changes inside Mr.Lacson himself? The same is true with every praying Christian. God will deal with us first. Only after our hearts are pleasing before Him, can we focus our prayers on other people and circumstances.
Let’s reflect for a moment :
a. How do I usually pray? Have I been trying to persuade God to change other people or circumstances?
b. Am I willing to let God change me?
Taken from How Effective are Your Prayers? by Bertram Lim.
What are Mr.Lacson’s options? Will he persist in his prayer? Or should he re-evaluate his prayer? If Mr.Lacson is totally open to God’s design and is ready to accept it, he might realize that :
1. The other plan may be better than his. The reason he was pushing for his own idea was pride. If this is the case, he has to repent before God and then wholeheartedly support the other plan. James 4:3 says, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.”
2. His plan may be better but his arrogant and abrasive attitude repels would-be supporters. If this is the case, he must confess his sin, change his attitude and get right with the others. James adds further, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
3. His plan may be better but it is ahead of its time. He should learn to be patient and wait for God’s time. In the meantime, he should continue to support his colleagues and help them grow, so that they may become one in spirit.
Have you noticed that all the above possibilities involve some changes inside Mr.Lacson himself? The same is true with every praying Christian. God will deal with us first. Only after our hearts are pleasing before Him, can we focus our prayers on other people and circumstances.
Let’s reflect for a moment :
a. How do I usually pray? Have I been trying to persuade God to change other people or circumstances?
b. Am I willing to let God change me?
Taken from How Effective are Your Prayers? by Bertram Lim.
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