Persistent
Pestering
At the launch of Walkers are
Welcome in Baildon the other day, Colin Speakman reviewed 200 years of work
for public access to the countryside, leading to our present footpath network
(and who knows what next). He commented
that change rarely came but by pestering authority till they yielded for a bit
of peace.
It’s like the point Jesus made about the need for persistence in prayer
(Luke 18:1-8). But if, as he said, the
Father God to whom we pray is so much more willing to respond than selfish
power groups, why then do we still need to persist or even pester? Here are a few suggestions.
Problems in us: Asking
for the wrong things, or for selfish reasons?
Could delay be the Father redirecting our thoughts? Keep checking?
Problems out there:
Resistance not from God but from other forces, which may take time to
overcome (e.g., Daniel 10:12-14). Keep at it.
Problems beyond: God is sovereign: he
knows best, and some reasons for his non-compliance may be beyond our finite
ken. Keep praising.
Problems in perception: Jesus didn’t fit
expectations. Paul wanted rid of his thorn
in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7-10). And we may
not be recognising how God is blessing Bradford North. Keep looking.
Persistence in prayer might be likened to a long flight of steps, but
I’m not sure whether we are toiling up for a grander view or descending humbly
to the foot of the cross.
Roy Lorrain-Smith
A prayer for each week
Father God, you’ve told us to
pray and I have been doing for ages. Why
aren’t you answering? Will you show me
if I should change the way I’m praying in some way, please. Amen.
Father God, what I’m praying for
seems so right, and you aren’t telling me to stop, or change, so please help me
to persist until everything falls into place for your answer to come. Amen.
Father God, Sovereign, seeing
beyond all our grasp, I have prayed long for my heart’s desire, but now I trust
that you know best about whether, or when, or how to answer. Amen.
Father God, what are you doing in
Bradford North? You promise to respond
when we pray, but I don’t see it. Am I
not looking right? Please can you show
me your answers. Amen.
Your own prayers
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