Pray Often
Lessons from the School of Prayer
Our prayer life reveals how we view God: our faith and comfort in Him. While we are always aware that He is holy and awesome, He is also our Father who loves. He is not our servant, yet he enjoys our prayers. A vital relationship with our Father allows us to pray freer. The message of Jesus is that God is for us.
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Open my eyes that I may see, glimpses of truth thou hast for me…open my eyes illumine me, Savior divine.” Hymn
One of my favorite movies of the 1980’s was the Academy Award winning “Chariots of Fire.” The picture depicts the true story of two men who raced for Great Britain in the 1924 Summer Olympics, each with a goal greater than winning a gold medal (which they each did). The Jewish racer Harold Abrahams wanted to put an end to anti-Semitism and class prejudice. The other man Eric Liddell, wanted to run for the glory of God, and the future missionary to China did just that. The theme music of the sound track is simply beautiful and attention getting.
The title of the movie, “Chariots of Fire” actually points to a Biblical story. 2 Kings tells the story of the King of Aram whose every plan to win victory over the King of Israel was thwarted because the prophet Elisha would tell the King of Israel the plan of the Aram King. The Aram King was certain that there was a spy in his ranks until he was told of Elisha, the man of God. So he sent his army to capture Elisha. When Elisha’s servant got up the next morning he went outside and saw the army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. He panicked and asked the very calm prophet Elisha what they should do. The prophet told the servant not to be afraid because “those who are with us are more than those with them.”
Then Elisha prayed three times. The first time was that God would open the eyes of his servant so that he might see reality. The man’s eyes were opened and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha (vv. 15-17). These were the hosts of heaven.
He prayed two more times. First, that the eyes of the opposing armies would be blinded. When they were Elisha led the blind army right into the capitol city where they were surrounded. Then he prayed that their eyes might be opened and they were, for their fate of capture. Elisha refused to allow the Israel army to kill them for they had not captured them. God had. A feast was thrown and the Aram armies left in peace.
This story reveals the remarkable power of God, prayer and reality. No matter what uphill battle or opponent causes you to struggle, God’s reality is greater than any opponent you face. Those who are with you are greater than those who oppose you.
Further, when we pray that our eyes might be opened, we see life as it really is. The darkness and fear that caused us to lose heart are seen for what they really are – nothing of consequence.
One of the titles for God in the Old Testament is “Lord of Hosts.” The Message Bible translates this “God of the Angel Armies.” The Hebrew phrase is used by Martin Luther in his famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” The title is “Lord Sabbath.” It speaks to Gods power and action that we fail to see on many occasions. Jesus’ last words in the Gospel of Matthew are, “behold I am with you always.” (Mt. 28:20) A man once exclaimed, “Coincidences happen to me when I pray that do not when I don’t!”
Think back over your life to some pretty amazing “coincidences.” Perhaps God’s hand was helping you more than you imagined. God sent some pretty amazing coincidences in my life when we went to Qatar to live and when we came to visit and worship at Brightwood on Father’s Day, 2004.
Today pray and ask God to open your eyes to his care. Thank him for his constant care. Confess the times that you have lacked faith that he cares. Praise him that he is always able to help you. Then walk in faith, confident that he is with you and that those with you are greater than those with them (or against you)!
Yours for learning to pray,
Bob Jackson, Teaching Pastor
