Josiah Road

Is There Actually Power In Prayer?

posted by Daniel Blackaby 26Feb

I have a confession to make. Ready? I pray for my favorite sports teams. There, I admit it! I’m a sports fanatic, and sometimes I feel my teams need an extra boost. The league can ban steroids; but they can’t ban my prayers! However, my almost undefeated New England Patriots’ massive choke in this year’s Super Bowl is proof that God doesn’t always answer those prayers!

You may be laughing at my pathetic attempts to help my team; but if I asked you if you believed God answers prayers, how would you respond? I think most of us would answer without hesitation; that of course, He does! However, I find it interesting that our lips and our actions often contradict each other. When life is hard, what’s the first thing I usually do? I’ll be honest and say that I usually try and fix the problem on my own. If (and when) that fails, I may go to my parents or to my close friends for help. I’m sure many of you can relate to me in that. It seems we go everywhere BUT to God in prayer. Why is that? Why is prayer typically our last resort? Is there really power in prayer?

If there is, then why do I take it for granted? As a Christian, I have free access to an all-knowing God who longs to help me. The same God who created the universe offers His guidance and wisdom; but sometimes I seem to think I can do a better job fixing my problems on my own. I usually end up just making a huge mess of things.

Lately, I have found myself asking, “Who is the first person that I go to for help or guidance? Dad? Mom? Best friend? Counselor? The Internet?” “Is there anything going on in my life right now that I feel uneasy or unsure about?” “If so, have I brought it to God?” I am learning that God will respond to me whenever I intently seek Him!

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Confessions - Part 3

posted by Andrew Hebert 26Feb

I could feel the blood rushing to my head. The whole room seemed to be swirling around me as I sat down in my seat, thoroughly humiliated, thoroughly embarrassed. It seemed as if everyone was laughing at me after someone who I thought was my friend made fun of me in front of the entire class. I was so mad that this guy made me look so stupid in front of everyone.

The relationship that I thought I had with this person continued to head downhill from there. The jokes, pranks, and under-handed insults that we threw in each other’s direction eventually escalated to more heated arguments and fights. Finally, we weren’t even speaking to each other. Not only were we not speaking with each other, but I actively wished for bad things to happen to this guy. This was my first encounter with bitterness.

I’m not sure if this story may ring any bells with you but I have a feeling that I’m not the only person out there who has been hurt in some way and has decided to hold a grudge or become bitter because of it. I don’t think it happens on purpose. Initially, it seems as if it’s the other person’s fault, and indeed it may be – they caused the hurt, they messed up the relationship. But it is really easy to progress from there. So many times I have decided to let my anger towards a person for something they did to me turn into something far worse – at best, an utter distaste for the person, and at worst, an out-and-out hatred.

I have many friends who have had hurts that are far worse than the ones I’ve experienced – friends who’ve gone through a divorce, or verbal abuse, or sometimes even sexual or physical abuse. It seems as if the natural reaction to hurt is bitterness.

There’s an antidote to this problem. Whenever we harbor something against someone because they’ve hurt us in some way, we are choosing not to forgive them. I was reading a verse the other day that was really convicting. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Just as Christ forgave you. When I read this verse I felt God impressing a question upon me – How can you hold something against someone when I sent my Son to die for them so that something could be forgiven? That question has stuck with me over the last few days. As hard as it is to forgive people sometimes, when I consider the sacrifice that was made to forgive me of my sins, it suddenly doesn’t seem as hard to forgive those who’ve done far less to me than I’ve done to Christ. If Jesus can forgive me for the hurt I caused Him, I can forgive others for the hurts they’ve caused me.

Jesus, please help me to so understand your love for me – that I love others the way you love me. Forgive me when I choose to harbor bitterness against someone for whom you died. Empower me to let go of my pride and forgive others as you forgave me. Amen.