Be realistic, expect a miracle

"Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!" (John 14:14) NLT

More shimmering heat - birds fall silent and a stripy field mouse drinks deeply from an abandoned bowl filled with rainwater, just outside our kitchen door. Driven by his thirst, he becomes bold, and I hold my breath in the moment, then he becomes aware of my presence and darts away. The dandelions are seeding and tufts of airborne seed heads are carried along on the breeze. A cracking sound can be heard from the forest, where wood is being collected for the next bake. Pale, cloudless skies are stretched overhead. The dogs are lethargic and the cat lies long and lazy on the cool floor. Days of air conditioned offices and malls seem so far away. To feel the heat, tempered by the mountain air, feels good and real. Sweet basil releases its perfume in the sun and I look longingly at the small yellow flowers on the tomato plants - soon juicy red fruit will be ripening there.

I can imagine that God also looks down at the fields of his children, longing for hearts to be quickened and ripened for his harvest. For our wills to be in-tune with his. For us to pray under an "open heaven". And to use what we receive for his glory and not our gain. God does not reward according to our function, He rewards according to our faithfulness and obedience. John Bunyan, preacher and Christian writer once said: "You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed".

What does it mean to "ask in His name"? Does it just mean that we have to remember to say "in Jesus name" before the prayer is ended off with Amen? I can recall times when I literally poured out my heart, begging, crying, beseeching God for a child to be healed, a friend or loved one's heart to be softened, for answers in the dark of night. Hearing only silence from above - not seeing the miracles that I so believed would crack open the heavens like a lightning bolt and bring a sweet rain of relief. But I have come to understand that it is in laying down our own will and desires that our prayers become truly powerful. God loves and honours it when we pray the things that are on His heart more than our own. The promises about asking, believing and receiving are not in dispute, but there is a higher calling in prayer. In His sovereign will for our lives is where we should be and want to be. Then we have the confidence, that "if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him." 1 John 5:14-15. In His perfect time, not ours.

Which takes us to "Amen", which is a Hebrew word that stems from the word aman, which means "to be faithful, support, or confirm." The word "amen" actually means, "so be it," or "truly."
Therefore, when we end our prayers with "amen," we are re-affirming our dedication to God through Jesus Christ.

When we begin to intercede for things that God has clearly promised in his Word, then we start unlocking a true, unlimited power that will cause the heavens to "leak" under the weight of his glory. "Christianity is intended to be a supernatural existence from beginning to end, and the demonstration of God's power should be the norm" (Daniel Kolenda). Imagine a lumberjack starting of at dawn with much enthusiasm, felling trees with his powerful swing. Come mid-day, he takes a break, eats a balanced meal and starts chopping away again with much vigour and strength. But with no effect. Had he remembered to spend more time sharpening his axe, he would not only have been more efficient, but also fulfilled his role in a more balanced way.

The most precious time of my day is a little after dawn, when the door closes softly and I have time alone in prayer with Jesus. At first thoughts and sounds filter into the sacred space, and my heart stays hard and unyielding. Then slowly the "world grows dim" and I'm allowed into the inner sanctuary. This is the place of miracles, silent surrender, deep listening, deep growing. Without it my heart would be empty, my mind and focus adrift. And in a small or powerful way, he may choose to use me in the day to come. To usher in the presence of God into a world that so desperately needs it. Prayer not only precedes action, it is a state of being. 

When prayer without ceasing is a place we live, the Master of the house is glorified.

An invitation:

I would like to invite anyone who has any questions about the content of these blogs or any other issues relating to your faith walk to contact me at mayagladwin@gmail.com, or through this blog. I will do my best to get answers from The Bible and through prayer. You are welcome to remain anonymous and our communications will be kept in confidence.

Much love

Maria