Prayer Changes YOU

Prayer changes you. I have heard this phrase most of my Christian life and for the most part it’s had a negative connotation. It has made me feel like whatever I was talking to God about he wasn’t really listening. Instead he was secretly working to change what I wanted. I’ve also thought, “Well, then why did he bother saying, ‘Ask and you will receive,’ if he was just going to talk me out of what I was asking for. Can you hear my frustration? Have you felt this way too?

Oh, and don’t bother to pray for a relationship that you’re struggling in because if you’re the one praying God is going to change you and not the other person. At least that’s what this statement has led me to believe throughout the years. It’s this kind of thinking that had me dragging my feet for nearly a year about something for which God had been prompting me to pray.

The situation recently became so unbearable that I could no longer let my frustration keep me from praying. The truth is I didn’t think I was the only one that needed to change, but it no longer mattered; something needed to change, so I started praying. And wouldn’t you know it…I started changing. But it was not at all like I suspected.

The changes that have been occurring are not letting the other party off the hook. Rather, I am being set free. Seeing the truth from God’s perspective. Realizing that everything isn’t, “All my fault.” God is reminding me of things I had forgotten. He is teaching me things I didn’t know – about myself and the other person. If I knew this is what he had in mind I would have started praying a year ago. What a bummer, how much time I wasted not experiencing the freedom God wanted to lavish on me.

Allowing God to change me, through prayer, has been exactly what I needed.

Let’s Just Pray

We say it like that and somehow expect people to believe that we believe prayer will change things. The word just devalues the power of prayer.

Why do we treat prayer like the last line of defense? As if it’s for the weak.

Check out King Jehoshaphat’s Battle plan in 2 Chronicles 20. Go ahead, open your Bible and see for yourself.

The Battle plan:
At the first inkling of war you may be alarmed, but like Jehoshaphat resolve to pray and fast. Ask those around you to come together and pray to the Lord for help.

Praise God for who he is and recall all he has done. Recall the good you have done for his namesake. Affirm your faith regardless of the outcome. Own your distress and commit, in spite of, to trust God.

Expect deliverance from God!

State the obvious. God already knows. Remind him of things he’s asked of you and how you have obeyed. Tell him how you’re being mistreated now.

Remember all he has done. Ask God what he will do about your current circumstances. Admit your powerlessness against your enemy, and your complete dependence on God.

Then listen! Listen to what God has to say. Don’t try and manufacture an answer, just position yourself and listen.

Who knew Jahaziel would speak? He was just standing in the crowd. Jehoshaphat’s been doing all the talking; he is after all the king. Why wouldn’t God speak through the leader of the people, to the people?

God chooses his mouthpiece and we can miss our answer expecting it to come a certain way. Instead, keep your eyes and ears open. Be alert. God is listening and he will answer.

This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Choose faith over fear and dependence over discouragement. Then stand firm as instructed here in 2 Chronicles 20:17 and in Ephesians 6:14. Put fear and discouragement in their proper place – under your feet – which are clothed with peace (Eph 6:15).

Now, prepare to face your enemy, an action preceded by both individual and corporate worship. Have faith and praise God along the way…Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.

Sing praise to the Lord after the battle is won. And then, rest in the peace only God can give.

Prayer, when facing a formidable foe, is certainly counter intuitive, but does it sound like a weak alternative? Does it look puny and devoid of power? Or does it smell like victory?

Grief Stricken by Sin

Ezra Chapter 9 (NIV)

Have you ever torn your Armani sport coat or your Vera Wang silk dress because your daughter broke one of the Ten Commandments? When your son came to confess his sin did you rip hair from your face or head?

That’s exactly what Ezra did when the leaders of Israel came to confess the sin of the people. He had a strong reaction and it was out in the open. He didn’t hide his frustration about sin and it was directed at God’s children who should have known better.

Scripture says Ezra was appalled. So much so that he sat in silence for hours. But when he did open his mouth it was to God in prayer. Not to others in the community to get the rumor mill going.

What I’m not saying – Shame your children, friends, or neighbors for their sin.
What I am saying – Sin is serious. Don’t give people a pass. Take responsibility for your own.

Sin rips at the fabric of relationship. Ezra shows us, that while sin may be done in private it affects the entire community. Count how many times he says: we, our, and us. I did.

What I love most is how honest Ezra talks with God. He names each sin as if he’s going through a trash bag and lifting them up to God one at a time saying, “You told us so.” Taking ownership of the mess that has been made. Not like God didn’t know, but any good apology is thorough, going back over in one’s mind the offenses committed that have broken the relationship. Making a sincere effort to set things right.

Ezra also realizes that the current and impending consequences are a direct result of the sin committed. He doesn’t give the people of Israel a pass. I don’t know about you, but I’m so much more able to face punishment when I can see the direct correlation between what I did and what’s coming next.

So many people spend so much time blaming: others, circumstances, nature and nurture. How much more freeing is it when, instead of trying to out run sin we face it square on. It’s what my friends in recovery call hitting bottom. The only one there, is YOU. Sure there are people who share culpability, but until you decide to take responsibility for yourself nothing changes.

Have you noticed that when you share the blame the ownership never goes deep enough to eradicate the crazy making behaviors that plague your life?

Some of you may be like me, ultra responsible. Be careful, we can’t take Jesus’ place on the cross no matter how much that might make us feel better. The answer is to take responsibility without deflecting AND without shaming. Jesus paid it all and all we need do is be grateful like Ezra saying, “Our God you have punished us less than our sins have deserved…” (Ezra 9:13)

Ezra got it – I can own up to Our sin as a community, but at some point We stand before God alone. Each of us gives an account of our individual sin. And while God knows all the contributing factors and extenuating circumstances, he calls us to account as individuals who have exercised our free will and made our own choices.

Why not be like Ezra and just own your stuff before a merciful, gracious and loving God who ALWAYS extends forgiveness? (Psalm 51:17)

Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

As I read this passage of scripture yesterday I was flooded with thoughts about what this meant to the people of Jesus’ day and for us today.

Jesus not only blessed those who were physically poor, but those who were poor in spirit.

Jesus healed many who were physically blind and opened the spiritual eyes of those who followed him that they might see God’s divine purpose.

Jesus freed people from demonic oppression. And in his death and resurrection Jesus set the world free from captivity to the power of sin.

We have all been prisoners to our pain, fears, appetites, and past, Jesus has come to set us free.

There is no greater bondage than living a life devoted to oneself. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13) The word Christ means anointed one. From this passage it’s clear that Jesus was anointed to give himself away, hold nothing back, and live to the glory of God. For those of us who call ourselves Christians, “little Christs” let’s proclaim this good news of freedom from oppression and the glory of living in the Lord’s favor.

Tis The Season

Are YOU Jolly?

What is there to be happy about? Are you racking up debt, buying gifts to be barely appreciated beyond the present opening session? Feeling stressed that you haven’t sent out a single card? How are the preparations for the big dinner coming, or will you be alone this year?

Why all the fuss, long lines at department stores and in the parking lots at the mall? What are we doing all this for?

This season is about a gift, from God, to the whole world. We don’t have to stand in line to buy His gift. Truth is, we could never afford it. The life of His only Son is what God is offering: an opportunity for relationship with a God who is for us and with us. Emmanuel.

Put down your shopping list, your guest list and take a look at this list from Isaiah, about the best gift and guest to ever visit our planet. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

And God, in His divine mystery, provided a gift that could also make a purchase, the whole human race, for the life of one. Now that is sure to warm your heart and make you merry. That’s if you believe Christmas is more than the hurried mess we’ve made of it. The Anointed One, made flesh on our behalf, is asking you to slow down and truly enjoy the season for all the joy He intended to bring.

O come O come Emmanuel, thou long expected Jesus. Bring joy to the world as we sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in. Fall on your knees before Christ the King. O come let us adore Him.

Do you need mighty shoulders on which to lay your weary head?
How about a wonderful counselor who is always available and free?
What about an everlasting Father (a parent on whom you can depend)?
Who couldn’t use some peace in this hectic season?

The Bitter Cold Snap

Those outside of California may be wondering, “What is all the fuss?” But to us Californians, in the midst of an unusual cold snap, we just want to know when it’s going to be over.

Last night my husband and I came out of warm restaurant and entered a warm movie theater. On the way to our car I noticed a homeless man putting on extra layers to endure his night in the cold.

The sight of that man got me thinking about others on the street. “How do they survive all night?” Even during this season of giving there are shelters with the unfortunate task of turning people away.

For the last couple of weeks it’s been impossible to just jump in my car and go. I’m bundled up and shivering as I walk from my front door to warm up my car. I’ve never had to do that. It may be inconvenient, but at least I have a car to warm up and enough gas to let it run while the defrost mechanism does it’s thing.

All of this got me thinking about those on the streets at night. I have a new respect for the homeless who survive the bitter cold and can still manage to say, “God bless you” as I walk by without acknowledging their presence.

This isn’t about telling you what to do the next time you see a homeless person (or one approaches you). I’m simply admiring the strength of those we rarely take the time to see and I’m being grateful in the midst of questioning, “When is this going to be over?”

Do you see that same question in the faces of those holding cardboard signs?
What other questions do you think they ask?
How can you choose to allow this cold snap to make you grateful instead of bitter?

Fun on the Run

Today I had the awesome privilege of encouraging runners and walkers at the Run For Courage around Lake Merritt. It surprised me how people responded to the simplest phrases – Keep smiling, you got this, keep breathing, keep moving it’s worth it.

Encouragement is contagious. Other people who weren’t even part of today’s race were encouraged by my words as they ran by. They smiled back at me and said nice things. It spread beyond the course. One man joined the pack just to be encouraged. You should have seen all the smiles and high fives I got. I, not only offered but, received encouragement in return.

Isn’t it incredible how a few words of support can make you can run harder, faster, and farther than you ever believed possible. You tend to dig deeper, even smile through the pain as long as there is someone there to say, “I believe in you.”

I started thinking about Hebrews 12:1 and how it says, “We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.” I’ve always imagined what they might be saying to us – Hang in there. You can make it. They’ve already made it. They know what it takes to run this race. Their stories let us know that it’s not about perfection, or strength, or sophistication, but faith, trust, and perseverance.

Your words have power (Proverbs 18:21). Use them to build up someone else (Ephesians 4:29). And no matter where you are in this race, whether you’re walking or running, stay the course. Keep going. Make it to the end. It counts!

God Longs to Hear from YOU

My girlfriend and I were talking the other day about how much attention we pay to our cell phones when our kids aren’t with us. Before kids she could let her phone sit unattended for hours at time. Now, while her kid is at school, she’s checking… at the end of every meeting, before she goes into the next meeting, and on her way home. Not because she is worried, but because she loves and cares for her child and until they are together she has no other way of knowing how her child is doing. We laughed, thinking, “Our parents didn’t have this luxury and we were just fine.”

What is it about parents and the desire for a constant connection with their children? God desires constant communication with us, His children. What was it that Paul said? “Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). And in Matthew 6:9 Jesus told us when praying to address God as Father. That was no accident; parents want to and look forward to hearing from their children. In Psalm 91:15 the Lord says He will answer when called upon. Not the yes or no kind of answer, but He’s available to us when we call.

There is a tendency for us to feel like we are bothering God with our “little” problems. Thinking He has bigger things to deal with, so why would He want to hear from me.

As a parent, there is nothing more important than being interrupted by your child, especially when they really need you. It’s even more fun to get a call when they just want to share about their day, and let you in on their world (and worldview). The great thing is we’re never interrupting God. He is big enough to hear us all at once, all around the world, day or night (Psalm 121:2-4).

Will you check in with your Father, He is eagerly awaiting your call? And don’t wait until everything is falling down around you. Instead cultivate a relationship, like Jesus did, checking in regularly with The Father (Mark 1:35 & Luke 22:39). Of course He knows what’s going on, He’s God. He, like most parents, can’t wait to hear from His kids.

When was the last time you just sat and talked to God with no agenda?

What is stopping you from sitting down (or even laying down) and having a good old-fashioned chat with God?

How do you view God when you pray? Busy, bored, or awake and attentive.

Detours, Roadblocks, & Orange Cones

Do you ever hear yourself saying things like: “I wish they’d do something about that pothole”, “A ride in a smoother lane would be nice”, “Just one more lane and there wouldn’t be as much bumper-to-bumper traffic”? Yet when the repairs begin you have another set of complaints.

We do this in life: “I wish I could stop taking my boss’s suggestions as personal attacks”, “A less argumentative meal time with my kids would be nice”, “If I would stop taking on other people’s problems I might have time for my own”. When we consider the time it would take to stop and attend to these complaints it’s more than we care to extend. Yet if we don’t make time, the proverbial potholes get bigger, life gets bumpier, and things get backed up.

The reparative process is inconvenient, whether it’s on the road or in life. If things are going to run better, smoother, and be more satisfying, then things must first slow down. The work, though frustrating now, will make things better down the road. In the meantime you have to endure the detours, roadblocks, and orange cones .

There are things in life we wish were different and the only way to see improvement is to take detours from our current path of relating or being. Sometimes we need to put up roadblocks to keep us from people and things not in our best interest. Then there are times when orange cones are needed to surround the parts of life under construction or in need of repair. This slows things down, to your benefit in the long run, but can be frustrating in the interim.

The process of repair means pulling things apart, assessing materials previously used, then replacing some while integrating others, to make things more solid for the future. If this process is rushed it leads to cracks and strains when and where they’re least expected. So make time for the necessary improvements that will lead to a better, smoother, and more satisfying ride down the road.

A Little Latitude with The Beattitudes

Why pronounce a blessing on the poor in spirit? Because if rich, we could be fooled into thinking we could bribe our way into blessings or even into heaven if we believe we have earned them by our good deeds. [Ephesians 2:8-10]

Why bless those who mourn? Because those emotionally strong may think they can take care of themselves and never reach out for the comfort of God or community. [2 Corinthians 1:2-5]

Why bless those who are meek? Because those physically strong may believe all they need is might to defend them self. When it is written, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. [Zechariah 4:6]

Why bless those hungry and thirsty for righteousness? Because those who are self-righteous commend themselves to God and man – “Look at me!” Rather than, “Look at what God can do through me when I allow His grace to be sufficient and let His power be revealed as great through the weakness I allow to be exposed.” [2 Corinthians 12:9-10]

Why bless the merciful? Because those who are dogmatic, requiring everyone to act and think as they, before they will associate with them, is never what Jesus modeled. [Luke 5:29-32 & 19:10]

Why bless the pure in heart? Because being jaded and cynical, suspecting and expecting the worst of people, will never allow the free flow of God’s love. [1 Corinthians 13:1-2]

Why bless the peacemakers? Because the boorish try to take on the world’s problems with brute human strength rather than allowing God to be their avenger. [Romans 12:17-19]