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Today is the 18th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal.  During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.

Here is today’s prayer event: 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28 ESV).

As with all of the prayers for which we have Jesus’ actual words, this one is prayed in the cold shadow of the cross.  Here, Jesus lays out the two options we have when faced with pain and suffering: “Father, save me.” or “Father, use me.”  The prayer, “Father, glorify your name,” is a plea for God to use the cross and Jesus’ suffering for His purposes, to reveal something about Himself.

Save me.  Use me.

Take a few moments right now to identify a circumstance in your life that brings you pain or suffering.  Rather than asking God to save you from that circumstance, ask Him right now to use you in the midst of that circumstance.

SHARE WITH READERS BELOW A DIFFICULT TIME WHEN GOD USED YOU  OR THE CIRCUMSTANCE FOR GOOD.

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Today is the 12th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal.  During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.

Here is today’s prayer event: I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (Matt. 11:25-26 ESV).

Matthew 11 finds Jesus in what could be one of the most discouraging seasons of his life.  First, John the Baptist, one of Jesus’ most trusted partners, appears to doubt: “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matt. 11:4 ESV).  Second, the crowds, who have been so enthusiastic, now appear disappointed with Jesus: “We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn (Matt. 11:17 ESV).”  Third, entire cities in which Jesus has done “most of his mighty works” still appear to be places of spiritual desolation (Matt.11:20) .

It seems that God is no longer in charge.  It seems that God is no longer at work.  It seems God no longer rules.

I would have responded to this with complaint.  Jesus responds with confidence.  Through prayer, Jesus remembers who God is.  God is still “Lord of heaven and earth.”  God is still in charge, in spite of recent events.  And through prayer, Jesus remembers what God is doing.  God is “hiding” and “revealing.”  That is, God is still at work, in spite of recent events.  Even in a difficult time, Jesus prayerfully remembers that God still rules–he’s still in charge and he’s still at work.

Take a moment to think of a circumstance in your life which has filled you with disappointment.  Things haven’t worked out as you wished.  Now pray to God as “Lord of heaven and earth” and confess that He’s still in charge of that circumstance.  And, confess in prayer that God’s still working in that situation, despite all appearances.

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Today is the 11th day of Lent, a 40 day season of spiritual reflection, repentance, and renewal.  During these 40 days we’ll explore the prayer life of Jesus, walking chronologically through every mention of Jesus’ prayer life and prayers in the Gospels.

Here is today’s prayer event: 25And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:25-29 ESV)

This incident is preceded by the Transfiguration–a moment at which Jesus’ deity is clearly revealed.  Never has Jesus appeared stronger.  Never has he seemed mightier.

Yet here we find Jesus dependent and needful.  “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”  The statement describes why the disciples could not drive out the boy’s demon.  They relied on their own power.  They did not ask for help from above.   Yet it also appears to describe why Jesus could drive out the boy’s demon.  Though not explicitly stated here, it seems Jesus did not rely on his own power.  He did ask for help from above.  At some point “in between the lines” of this text, Jesus prayed.  Not even the Transfigured Messiah could do this alone. 

“This…cannot be [accomplished] by anything but prayer.”  Are you willing to believe that there are some things that cannot be accomplished except through prayer?  If you took that line seriously, how would it impact your life?  If more churches took that line seriously, how would it change them?

What is something you’ve been trying to do on your own power?  In what area of your life are you more like the disciples (I can do this) and less like Jesus (God can do this)?  Pray today as if nothing will happen unless you pray.

SHARE WITH OTHER READERS BELOW WHY WE TEND TO STILL BE MORE LIKE THE DISCIPLES (I CAN DO THIS) AND LESS LIKE JESUS (GOD CAN DO THIS).

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