KNOWN BY OUR POWERFUL PRAYER
Jenna Worsham
Today's Scripture: “And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.’” Matthew 21:21-22, ESV
Theme: If we are now the temple of God, we should be known by our faith and our bold prayers.
WHERE THE TEMPLE GOES...
Being born, toddlerhood, puberty, marrying, birthing, illness (physical or mental), grieving, and dying are all transitions to something new. We are vulnerable as we transition, just like a chrysalis. Spiritually thick spaces have a different feeling; it is hard to explain. Irish Celtic lore refers to places where the veil between this world and the other world is porous as “thin places.” The Bible calls some places sacred, or holy ground.
I find myself a companion for many people in frightening, overwhelming, or thin places. Insufficient in myself to direct or counsel, feeling drawn into the sacredness, yet overwhelmed, my eyes turn up to God for help.
However, sometimes I don’t pray in the moment or pray out loud. God is present in our suffering, celebration, and sacred spaces. He attends births – with me. He holds the hand of the ailing – with me. He welcomes the new baby and cares for the raw and vulnerable mother –with me. As His temple, He attends and is there – with me. I have access to His attention, wisdom, and power. Even if the person I accompany does not invite Him or ask for Him, God goes into those spaces for when His temple is there, He is there.
MOVING MOUNTAINS
We all face mountains. Sometimes we pray and don’t doubt. Other times we hesitate to pray. There are days where I pray for the strength to climb a mountain; others where I admire the beauty of a mountain. Maybe I wish that the mountain would just vanish: “Be taken up and thrown into the sea” (Matthew 21:21b, ESV) is not something I would consider saying to my own mountains. Yet, that’s what Jesus tells us we are capable of if we “have faith and do not doubt.” “And whatever you ask in prayer you will receive if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22b, ESV).
Whatever you ask... that means anything. I think where I sometimes get mixed up is in the timing. Of course, God can do what I ask now. However, if I believe and do not doubt, He will provide. I think that may often mean those mountains move later, when the world is redeemed. Miraculously, sometimes they move right when we ask.
A Poem – “My Intention to Pray Now”
Pray now.
Right when you hear the story.
In person, by text, on the phone, in a comment.
Actually talk to God; don’t just mention prayer.
Pray boldly at the front of the auditorium;
Quietly in the hospital room.
At each birth;
At each death;
In the thin places where God already resides.
Speak to Him; allow Him to speak to you.
The holiness of Your presence,
The authenticity of your faith will be shown,
When we who are called by His Name
Humbly, unashamed, go boldly. Pray.
Make It Personal: Where do you bring God’s temple? When you occupy thin spaces, do you offer to pray out loud, right then? What mountains do you pray to move?
Pray: Father God, thank You for answering all my prayers; for moving when I pray and do not doubt. Help me to invite You into the sacred spaces. When a moment is tender or the room feels heavy, help me to pray immediately, aloud, humbly, boldly, and with power. In Jesus’ awesome Name. Amen.
Read: James 5:13-18; Acts 6:4; Acts 10:30-33
Weekly Memory Verse: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)