February 12, 2012
Energized by Prayer
- Ephesians 6:10-20
- Rev. Jim Capps
After the holidays and now the Super Bowl, there are many of us who realize in new and fresh ways that we need to drop a few pounds. I heard of a competition taking place in a workplace to see who could lose the most weight in a healthy way.
That brings to mind the overweight man who let the people at work know that he was in the process of trying to lose weight. He was really serious about it, even to the point of changing his route to work so that he did not drive by his favorite bakery.
The people at work were shocked and saddened when he brought in a huge coffee cake. They scolded him about giving into temptation after he had done so well. With the biggest smile on his face, as if he had anticipated their criticism, he said, “No, you don’t understand. This is a very special coffee cake.”
After that he went on to explain that he accidently took the old route to work by the bakery. The window was filled with a plethora of tempting goodies. Somehow wondering if this was not an accident, he prayed, “Lord, if you want me to have one of those delicious looking coffee cakes, then make a parking spot open directly in front of the bakery.” With a look of pure joy he went on to say, “You’ll never guess what happened. After driving around the block, the eighth time, there was an empty parking spot.”
Friends, somehow I’m not quite sure that’s the way prayer works. Yet, I do believe that prayer is at the very center of all we are and do as followers of Jesus Christ. Conversely, without regular, consistent prayer our lives as Christians are bland and lifeless. It’s as if we are going through the motions, but not experiencing what we had hoped for when we began our journeys of faith.
As we continue this series of messages on “Renewed by the Spirit,” I believe that it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who wants to help us find meaning and energy in prayer. It is the Spirit who draws us to God in the first place and it is the Spirit who wants us to walk with God on a moment by moment basis.
This week as a part of a study I am doing with a group of guys, we were given the assignment of going on a walk with the God who loves us and wants to talk with us. Late last Sunday afternoon, before the Super Bowl, on a beautiful day, I took a long walk with God. As if I were walking with Alice or a good friend, with the Spirit at the center of the conversation, I had a chance to talk with God. As a good conversation should be, it was a time of speaking as well as listening. That’s the kind of conversation God desires for us every day as we walk with Him.
While there are several passages in the Bible that we could use to discuss being energized by prayer, I would like for us to turn our attention to the 6th and last chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. A very important letter to any church, in chapters 1-3, Paul begins with theology or theory, which is the foundation for chapters 4-6, where he talks about how we practically live out the theory. In the middle of chapter 6, Paul vividly describes the whole armor of God, a very effective metaphor for them in that they saw soldiers in armor on a daily basis. At the very end of that metaphor, Paul shares the idea that prayer in the Spirit is crucial if the armor is to be effective. In fact, one famous Bible commentator wrote that prayer was the greatest weapon of all.
Please follow along with me as I read Ephesians 6:10-20 and you will see what I am talking about. Read.
In verse 18 Paul tells us 3 important truths about praying in the Spirit.
WE CAN PRAY ON ALL OCCASIONS.
In other words our prayers should be constant. We should be in always in an attitude of prayer. That means in all the circumstances and seasons of life.
I mentioned previously that I won my way to camp when I was 9 years old by memorizing Bible verses. Since we were not given any specific verses, I quickly looked for the shortest. Along with John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” I learned 2 verses from I Thessalonians 5: 17- “Rejoice evermore;” and 18- “Pray without ceasing.” Both of those verses have the same idea of rejoicing and praying in all the days and all the circumstances of our lives.
If Paul were here this morning, we might say, Paul, that’s stirring rhetoric with great theory behind it, but it is very difficult to do on a consistent basis. Paul would reply, “Tell me about it! I had some really difficult days when I felt like doing anything but rejoicing. And it didn’t come easy at first to be in a constant attitude of prayer. But the more I prayed as if Jesus was my constant traveling companion, the more peace and joy I experienced.”
Think about it, my friends, often we are brought to our knees only when we are in the midst of a crisis or a difficult situation. We bring our deep concerns, pleading for God’s deliverance and/or intervention in a way that brings a good outcome. While we certainly should do just that, God desires that we bring all of our lives and the lives of those whom we love to Him believing that He really cares.
It’s like having a blue tooth phone on our ear and talking with God at all times. The line is always open and we can talk constantly.
While I have never used an ear piece phone attachment, I have used OnStar. I remember once being in heavy traffic on I-465 after a burial when I had just enough time to get back to the funeral home for another funeral and burial. I got a call saying that a woman had suddenly died in an emergency room and her family wanted to talk with me. We made connections and not only did I have a chance to talk with them but I prayed with them while I was driving in bumper to bumper traffic. Needless to say, I didn’t bow my head and fold my hands. It was praying to God in one of those “all occasions.”
When we really love someone, there is nothing too large or too small, to bring to him or her. As a parent, it is special to have our children bring whatever they are concerned about. Within a marriage, our relationship is the most healthy when we can bring anything at any time to our spouse. With the best of friends, there is nothing out of bounds in our conversations with each other. More than all these, so it is with our gracious God who knows and loves us more than anyone we will ever know.
Like our human relationships we need to cultivate and grow in our relationship with God. It takes practice. There was a man back in the Middle Ages named Brother Lawrence, who coined the idea of “practicing the presence of God” in every situation of his life. In the later part of his life, he volunteered in a hospital kitchen, praying continually, and God used him in such a way that we are still talking about him today.
Another man, Frank Laubach, was a missionary to the Philippines and found that his life was parched and dry and his ministry wasn’t bearing much fruit. Like Brother Lawrence, he began “practicing the presence of God” walking and talking with Him in all that he did wherever he went and God blessed Him immensely. He began a literacy ministry, which is still being used around the world.
How about you? Are you praying on all occasions? What’s holding you back or stopping you from starting? Maybe you spend a lot of your life in a place or situation where you don’t think God would want to be or want you to be. It’s difficult imagining praying there. If that’s your situation, what changes may God be calling you to make?
When renewed by the Spirit, we can pray on all occasions.
WE CAN PRAY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS AND REQUESTS.
Here, Paul is talking about an intensity and versatility that allows us to bring all kinds of prayer to God with a great sense of freedom and joy.
As we walk on life’s journey and praying continually on all occasions, then we will naturally come to God in lots of different ways. I have found this to be so true on a daily basis. As I said earlier, it is natural for us to call upon our awesome, almighty, all-knowing, al-present God when we really want or need something. We want to bring our concern to God and receive God’s help.
I have come to use an ancient method to better order my prayers. I use a journal to write out my prayers which helps me to focus and not allow my mind to wander as much. Many of you may have heard of this method of prayer. Here’s how it goes:
Adoration- I start with God rather than me and my concerns or desires. This has the idea of adoring or paying homage to God for who He really is and not just what He does. God is the Master Designer of all that is; all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, holy and the list goes on and on. It is so important for me to begin my prayers by thinking about the greatness of our awesome God. When I do that, I move naturally to the next step…
Confession- When I get a fresh glimpse of God and His greatness and grandeur, I am immediately aware of who I am not and how unclean I am. Like Isaiah in Isaiah 6, when the prophet is brought into the presence of God and knows he is unclean, we also feel undone and unworthy. Confession means we admit to God that our attitudes and thoughts as well as our words and actions displease and hurt God. In so doing, we claim I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When confession is genuine catharsis, we experience the soothing cleansing of forgiveness, washing away our guilt and shame and giving us hope for the future. After confession and the assurance of forgiveness, I cannot help move to…
Thanksgiving- Thanksgiving means that I naturally express my gratitude and appreciation to God for all kinds of things. Thanksgiving can go into so many directions as we realize that all we are and have are gracious gifts from God. I am grateful for the way we are wonderfully made; for a great country with the freedoms we enjoy; for those who have fought and given their lives to insure our freedom; for family and friends; for the family of faith; for brothers and sisters in Christ; for numerous blessings I could never earn or deserve; for the gift of work; for struggles and obstacles which cause me to grow and depend more upon God; for hope which stretches past my last breath, here on this earth; and the list goes on as we give thanks for specific acts of love, kindness, accountability and grace which come from so many who share life with us.
Supplication- This has the idea of interceding on behalf of others as you raise them up to God. I will talk more about that in the final point that Paul makes in this passage. Supplication also has the idea of fervently praying for situations about which we have concern. It may be a job situation; a misunderstanding with a friend; a decision which must be made; discernment in trying to sort through a difficult situation; help, understanding, sensitivity, compassion in a specific area of my life.
As you may know, this method of prayer is easily remembered by the acrostic- ACTS. Time and time again, I have found this order of bringing “all kinds of prayers and requests” so helpful. It helps turn my normal attitude upside down. When I start with who God is and who I am not followed closely by thanksgiving for all God has graciously given me and allowed me to experience, I often find my concerns or fears are seen in whole different light and my attitude is changed.
Yes, renewed by the Spirit we can pray with all kinds of prayers and requests.
WE CAN BE ALERT AND ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING FOR THE SAINTS.
In a world filled with people whom they love and for whom they care, it is so important for the Ephesians to be alert to what is going on in their lives. Paul understands that is so easy to be wrapped up in our own lives and concerns, that we aren’t alert to the needs of others. He is calling the Ephesians to lift their eyes from themselves and see the crying needs of people whom they are called to encourage by the prayers of the family of faith.
Are you continually alert, keeping your eyes open for the opportunities to lift up others in prayer? I once heard of a psychiatrist who gave the most interesting prescription to someone who was discouraged about his life. This man could not return if he didn’t do what was being prescribed.
First, he was to go to a florist and purchase a dozen roses. Then he was to walk around his community looking for people to whom he could give a rose. At first he was really frustrated asking himself why he was paying for a therapist who would ask him to do such a simple thing. Yet, as he took his eyes off of himself and the things bothering him, and looked for people to whom he could give a rose. He found a great sense of relief. It wasn’t just that others had problems like he did, but it was also seeing the joy of others receiving an unexpected rose, a different symbolizing love. He felt so much better when he returned to the doctor to tell him about what happened.
To go a giant step further, what if you and I were alertly looking for others for whom and with whom we could pray. More than a rose, one of God’s beautiful creations, what if we lift that person and his or her need to the One who created, knows and loves them and can meet their needs like no one else possibly. There is a great sense of joy and meaning when we see God working in the life of someone for whom we have prayed.
I have observed the fact that there are some people who have the spiritual gift of intercession. By that, I am thinking of people who are always looking for and find great meaning and renewed energy in praying for others. Do you know people like that?
My mother was a person who was alert and always praying for others, especially in the last years of her life. She had never learned how to drive and for the last 15 years of their lives my step-father had been incapacitated by a stroke, so she couldn’t get out easily. Rather than being discouraged and down, she spent lots of time each day praying for others. She prayed for every member of the family which included 8 of children who were members of our blended family. She also prayed for each of our children and in many cases grandchildren. She prayed for missionaries and friends and pastors. Anyone she saw had a need was on her daily prayer list. She had a very special ministry even though she was confined to her little apartment.
My mother died the day after Thanksgiving, 209. As all the family gathered at the little funeral home, I asked all of my family, and there were dozens of them, “Who would carry on for her. She has prayed for each one of us daily, now who take over?” Be careful when you ask questions like that. I felt God calling me to take up her practice of intercession for the family. While I am sure, I haven’t been quite as thorough and faithful as she was, I have found great joy in praying for my family and many others. I am grateful for my mother’s example of being alert and always praying for all the people in her world.
It’s interesting to note that at the very end of this passage Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him in his imprisonment so that he would use that occasion to courageously share the gospel in his less than perfect situation.
APPLICATION
When I think of prayer, regardless of how often, which form it takes, or for whom, it seems to me that it works like this. If my right hand represents God’s will and my left hand represents my will for any given situation, I really don’t want God’s will to conform to mine. I should share with God my deepest concerns and longings and then pray that my will more and more is in tune with God’s will.
The Holy Spirit wants to help us to be renewed and energized through regular, meaningful prayer. There are no short-cuts. We never outgrow our need for prayer.
Prayer is simply sharing our lives with God, who loves us more than anyone ever could. Flowery words and the perfect setting are not important. Like a child pouring out his hopes and fears, joys and concerns, and victories and defeats, we can bring our total lives to God.
The Spirit of God wants to renew you by helping you to be energized by prayer. Are you open to that possibility? Are you willing to make being in an attitude of constant communication with God a priority for your life?
Because I am a dreamer with my mind always venturing into the future, I find journaling my prayers to helpful. I would challenge you to consider that method if you have a wandering mind like I do. I would challenge you to try this or experiment with other methods or settings, asking God to make prayer come alive and be meaningful for you.
In just a few moments after our final song, I want to give you an opportunity to pray with someone. We have set up an area over to my right by the cross where you can meet members of our prayer team who would consider it a privilege to pray with you about anything you want.
I believe with all of my heart that God wants you and me to be energized and empowered by prayer so that more and more effectively and completely we accomplish His purpose for us as individuals and us as a Family of Faith.