Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
8/12/2021
How Proud Are We To Not Be Desperate for God!
How Proud Are We To Not Be Desperate for God!
Why are we so slow to cry out to God when we’re barren or lukewarm? Are we so proud and sophisticated to beg him for fruit?
If you’re a Christian who is bewildered and disheartened by the things that you see going on or if you’re a Christian of many years who is discouraged because you have grown lukewarm or perhaps grown accepting of your own lack of real fruit, be sure of this promise! James 4:8 “come near to God and he will come near to you.”
40 years ago my family started attending a church and the pastor called all of the men of the church to prayer at 6 AM in the morning. There was a certain urgency but I didn’t know the root cause of the call. But I went every morning.
I must say that it was during that experience that I learned how to pray. I heard all kinds of prayer during that month of morning prayer. Prayers of petition, prayers of blessing, thanksgiving, and the most remembered…the prayers of desperation and brokenness.
These were not those pretty eloquent composed prayers of a Sadducee but the desperate conversations of people beyond the edge of their own abilities and capabilities. These were conversations and pleas of help from one person to their God. It was dialogue that you might hear in a hospital waiting room as one awaits the outcome of critical surgery. Nothing fancy… Just desperate.
Do you know Lord, I’m going to lose that boy to the world, she said through her tears. The cry was a conversation at first but then the pleading began and the voice became louder. I’m going to lose him to the gangs and the alcohol unless you come and help me. I can’t do it by myself. You could hear the desperation in the prayer. You’ve got to do something… God, you’ve got to do something now! His mother is dead and gone and I’m all alone trying to raise him. And you know all the voices that are out there that are calling him. God, you have to help me. If you don’t help me, no one can and the words dissolved into sobs.
What I heard at the time, and I didn’t know it, was intercession for a son who had lost his way.
Perhaps the most awesome thing in the world is for a human being to be able to speak with the creator of the Universe… worship him…and know that He really cares and holds you in the palm of his hand! And I felt that type of emotion and a true realization of God’s grace during those times of solitude in prayer, as I learned how to pray. Defined for me was the old church catchphrase, described as storming Heaven. I have heard prayers like that many times over the years and they have never failed to humble me, move me and inspire me in my own desperation before God. How much more must they move our faithful father in heaven, who loves us so dearly. Desperate and soul-stirring prayers like these result in answers. When God is stormed by faith and desperation, he responds. Even in hopeless situations.
According to the book of Ephesians, God’s desire is for us to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18). That He should have placed this privilege in our hands is evidence of his unfathomable love and concern. That we neglect or disregard this blessing is evidence of the ignorance and perversity of human nature.
James 4:8 “come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Would you find a closet to pray in this week? Giving God your undivided attention and heartfelt petitions and praise? Ask Him to give you a heart of flesh and take away the one of stone.
Trust in You Lauren Daigle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv-SXz_exKE
Excerpts are taken from Jim Cymbala’s Book. Strong through the Storm
