It’s not always easy
August 19, 2009 (Wednesday)
Prayer is serious business. It’s not like, “Hi ya, God. How we doin’ today?” No, many times it’s more like a struggle.
Jacob struggled with the Lord. The Scriptures tell us he wrestled with God’s angel all night long, saying as the new day dawned, “I will not let you go unless you bless me!” Jacob emerged from that struggle with a crippled leg. He walked with a limp the rest of his life, reminding him with every step that struggling with God is not a casual activity.
Before Jacob, there was his grandfather Abraham, who also struggled with God in prayer. He was told that the city in which his kinsman lived was going to be destroyed, and he negotiated with God, pleading for the lives of those he loved. Strangely, God entered the negotiations with him instead of striking him down for his impertinence. It needs to be said also that Abraham approached God with great reverence and humility.
Later there was Moses. In response to God’s announcement to him that he would no longer bless the people Moses was leading, Moses responded with a brash and strong argument: “You have claimed these people as your own, and have led them this far. You’ve made me their leader, so if you are going to destroy them, destroy me, too.” (Not an exact quotation, but one that tries to capture the spirit of Moses’ prayer).
Perhaps the supreme example of struggle in prayer is Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.” His struggle was so powerful that his perspiration became great drops of blood falling to the ground.
Praying isn’t always easy, and it certainly isn’t always fun. But it is priceless in value to your spiritual life. God doesn’t necessarily promise to give you what you want, but he is willing to listen, and if you draw near to him, you’ll hear in your heart what he’s telling you.