Tag Archives: prayer

April 15
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“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.  She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’”  (1Samuel 1:20, NIV)

It is helpful for the disciple of Jesus to remember that between a vision and its fulfillment; between a promise and the delivery of what was promised is “the course of time.”  It is here — like nowhere else — that we are challenged because we often become tired of waiting; or we become frustrated with the pace of fulfillment or of delivery; or we allow something else less worthy to divert our attention, or to curb our enthusiasm.

Hannah’s story began much earlier than what we read in today’s verse: She had been childless for a very long time, and had been praying for a very long time for a son.  God had heard Hannah’s prayer and, through Eli the priest, had promised to give her a son.  It wasn’t an instantaneous realization of God’s promise; the promise was realized “in the course of time” through something as common as conception, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Be encouraged by the fact that God always desires to work for us, in us, and through us.  Do not lose heart when the hours creep or when the days seem never to end.  – Luther

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April 3
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God always answers the prayers of His children.

Sometimes, it is within the plan of God to deliver His child from peril or difficulty.  To be sure, it is a gift beyond words to be delivered from illness, injury, and death.  More times than we realize, God’s hand has delivered us from difficulties, danger, disease, and from death.

Yet, sometimes it is within the plan of God to deliver His child through the peril or the difficulty looming before us.  Even here — perhaps, particularly here — we are not alone in our suffering.  As God did for His only begotten Son in the crisis reflected in today’s scripture, God will also do for you when you allow Him to work through you for His purposes.  He will give you evidence of His presence; and He will strengthen you with His strength!

Fear not!  Whether “from” or “through,” God’s presence and God’s provision are always — always — ours when we confess: “Yet not my will, but Yours be done.”  – Luther

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February 18
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“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.  ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.  ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.'”  (Matthew 26:40-41, NIV)

We are full of potential!  Of all of the external influences that conspire to limit our achievement and hobble the power of the spirit within us, physical fatigue is arguably the most formidable.

Then, we are tempted to excuse our failure to follow-through on our physical limitations: We are old (or young); we are ill-positioned; we are exhausted; we are handicapped.  Jesus did not expect the disciples to do more than any of them were able.  He never did. He expected only that they watch with Him for 60 minutes.

Our physical limitations are real, but they are not insurmountable — especially if we are willing to pray as we stand watch; and watch as we “stand” praying.  Our physical limitations are real, but they are not insurmountable — especially if we are willing to include those nearest to us in the task.  What might have been the outcome, despite their fatigue, had the 11 disciples chosen to (as Paul and Silas did some years later in prison; please see Acts 16:22-26 for the full story) pray and sing hymns to release the spirit; energize the flesh — and see the power of God come down?  The spirit is willing!  – Luther

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