Have You Noticed Who’s Praying for You?

How do you feel when someone says, “I’m praying for you”? I don’t know about you but hearing that encourages me greatly. (Unless it’s being said in a way that suggests, “God needs to straighten you out, buddy!”) I can use all the prayer support that I can get. 

 

In truth, every one of us needs as much prayer as we can get because we’re imperfect people going through life basically not knowing what we don’t know. Being the recipient of the prayers of others seems like kind of a safety net to protect ourselves from our own mistakes and misjudgments.

Maybe on the other side of eternity the Lord will reveal the people He impressed to pray for me over the years, possibly even some I never met. Perhaps somebody reading this is among them. If so, thank you so much. Because in many ways God has answered prayers that I never would have thought to pray. As Ephesians 3:20 states, “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

 

Yes, it’s a blessing and an honor to think that people are taking us to God’s “throne of grace” (Hebrew 4:16), offering petitions to Him on our behalf. I picture some folks retreating to their “war room,” the quiet place they’ve designated for prayer, with our names on their hearts – and their lips. What a humbling thought to have a prayer team interceding on our behalf.

 

But do you know what’s even better? The Bible tells us that the Lord Himself prays for us! Consider the following:

 

Toward the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus was talking to one of His disciples, fully aware that soon this impetuous, outspoken follower would be denying Him not once, or twice, but three times. The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).

 

I imagine Simon – whom Jesus had renamed Peter – heard this with mixed feelings. How would you like to hear that Satan has asked for permission to sift you like wheat? On the other hand, it must have bolstered Peter’s spirits to know Jesus Himself was praying for him, specifically that his faith would not falter. That he wouldn’t end up as spiritual wreckage.

 

This isn’t an isolated promise made to one individual. In similar fashion, the Scriptures assure us the Lord serves as our intercessor. As Hebrews 7:24-25 declare, “because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” What an amazing assurance!

 

What about the other member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit? We can’t find a clearer statement than Romans 8:26, which says, “In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” 

 

Have you ever experienced a time – or times – when your circumstances seemed so overwhelming you struggled with praying? We’re never instructed not to pray – for ourselves or others. But when uncertainties, anxieties, even fears assail us, seeming so great that we’re at a loss trying to figure out what to ask God for, how good it is to know that “the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

 

If you find yourself at a crossroads, faced with a major decision, or confronting a crisis that seems to have no solution, take heart. God hears your prayers. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). But also know that others are praying for you, whether they’re aware of your particular situation or not.

 

Beyond that, also be assured that the Lord Himself has you on His prayer list, poised to intercede for you in ways you can’t imagine.

 

And if you’re enjoying a relatively calm period in your life, with no major concerns, that’s great. But the next challenge could be right around the corner. When times like that arrive, we can know that along with our own prayers, the Lord has assembled a very special prayer team for us.

Wrestling With Temptation – and Overcoming It

You’ve probably heard about the guy who said, “I can overcome everything except temptation”? Maybe you’ve said or thought something like that yourself. Temptations of every kind surround us, as pervasive as the air we breathe. And during this Christmas season, with commercials and ads bombarding us on TV, social media and phone apps, temptation seems to be surging at a frenetic rate.

It all started with Adam and Eve. They saw that first temptation – to eat of the one tree God told them not to eat from – and decided it was too enticing to resist. The result was the first sin, what theologians call “The Fall,” and humanity’s been wrestling with a sin problem ever since.

 

Temptation comes in many forms, and what’s tempting for you might not be tempting for me – and vice versa. (Emphasis on vice.) Centuries ago, someone in Christian tradition came up with a list of the “seven deadly sins”: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. But even those ‘big seven’ can manifest themselves in countless ways.

 

Lust might involve sexual desires, but can also pertain to lusting for a car, a house, a boat, an item of jewelry or piece of furniture. Anything that generates strong passion or longing, such as the lust for power or influence, or for prestige and prominence. 

 

When we think of greed, fictional characters like Ebenezer Scrooge and King Midas immediately come to mind. Individuals for whom too much was never enough. One translation of 1 Timothy 6:10 declares that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil.” It does not say that money is the root of everything evil, but money’s tempting powers are definitely manifested in a multitude of ways.

 

Gluttony is an interesting sin because it’s often overlooked. When was the last time you went to an all-you-can-eat church supper and found someone at the end of the line looking at your plate and saying, “Now, that’s all you can eat”?

 

Personally, I think that if there’s an actual root for every kind of evil it’s pride. Because pride – excessive regard for oneself without being concerned about the interests of others – seems to undergird every one of the big sins, and probably all of the smaller ones, too.

 

However, as I’ve often told men I was discipling and mentoring, temptation isn’t sin. Temptation is being presented with the opportunity to sin. Sin itself is acting upon the specific temptation, deciding it seems like a good idea.

 

How do we know that temptation and sin aren’t synonymous? Because as we read about Jesus Christ in Hebrews 2:18, “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.” Later in the same book we’re told, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

 

Putting it simply, we don’t have to confess or repent being tempted. Because even Jesus was tempted. Confession and repentance are needed when we succumb to temptation – whatever it is – and commit sinful thoughts or actions.

 

The question is how do we successfully deal with temptations, fending them off so they don’t lead to sinful behavior? We can be heartened in knowing that Jesus, our Savior and Lord, experienced temptation. We can’t offer the excuse, ‘But Lord, you don’t understand.’ Because He indeed can and does understand, having faced similar temptations – and probably worse than any we could imagine.

 

This is why the next verse in Hebrews assures us, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). God promises to provide the strength and wisdom necessary.

 

Another passage speaks directly and clearly to this perplexing issue of temptation and how to overcome it. The apostle Paul wrote to the ancient church in Corinth, offering this counsel: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).

 

These verses contain several important points. First is the warning: If we’re feeling smug, with an attitude of ‘I’ve got this. No problem,’ beware. That might be the time we’re most vulnerable. History is littered with sad stories of spiritual ‘giants’ who fell into sins they felt confident could never touch them.

 

The second point is whatever it is, the temptation we’re facing isn’t unique. We haven’t discovered some unknown sin no one has ever experienced before. We’re not the first ones to ever deal with the temptation we might be wrestling with right now. 

 

One other key point is that in His faithfulness God promises He won’t allow us to face temptations beyond our capacity to cope with them. If we’re willing to let Him, the Lord will always provide ways out of temptation. “A way of escape,” as another translation states it.

 

An old friend, a diabetic, admitted having a weakness for Krispy Kreme donuts. He often would drive past the donut shop when its red neon sign was on, “Fresh Donuts,” beckoning to potential customers. For my friend, the ‘way of escape’ was to keep driving and resist the temptation to turn into the parking lot.

 

Temptations are everywhere. We don’t have to look for them. They’ll find us. But they don’t need to defeat us. As Paul wrote elsewhere, “I can do everything through [Christ] who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Including overcoming temptation.

The Benefits of 24/7 Access, Without Limitations

Over the years, I’ve been in many business meetings where the general rule was, “Absolutely no interruptions.” Staff not participating in the meetings knew they were not to intrude, barring legitimate emergencies – or maybe an approaching tornado. 

In today’s world, the ubiquity of cellphones has made that rule more difficult to enforce. But at times, to prevent any and all distractions, even smartphones are designated off limits – much to the dismay of the electronically addicted. If the desire is to ensure everyone’s undivided attention, it might be necessary to prevent the invasion of calls, texts, emails, or even game-playing during lulls.

 

Many times, however, I’ve seen a recurring exception: when someone’s child (especially the boss’s), really needs to talk to mom or dad, and right now. Many top executives, when approached by their offspring, willingly put meetings on pause for a few moments to address their children’s concerns.

 

Calls from important customers or clients may be responded to with a polite, “Tell them I’ll have to call them back.” But if little Will or Susie calls or requires a brief audience, a five-minute meeting break is often announced. Maybe even encouraged, especially if the corporate culture is family-oriented.

 

In the home, this is also the case. Each of us who are parents know what it’s like to be awakened out of sound slumber by a son or daughter that needs us. It might have been a bad dream, an upset tummy, or the proverbial monster under the bed, but they know that they’ve got full and immediate access to mom or dad until the crisis is resolved.

 

One reason I think about this because it’s the same – in a far more profound way – in our relationship with God. Our Heavenly Father is never too busy, distracted or preoccupied when we need to talk with Him. This is why Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

 

I’m constantly amazed knowing there’s no way we could do this with the President of the United States, the CEO of a major corporation, a star athlete, media celebrity, or the head of the college where you or your children attend. 

 

Part of it is because we don’t have a personal relationship with them. But beyond that, they all have levels of importance that prohibit “ordinary people” to approach them in an impromptu way. For each of God’s children, however, any day, at any time, we never have to meet a “Do not disturb” or “Positively no interruptions” sign.

 

In fact, one of the first Bible verses I ever learned instructs us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In other words, God welcomes an ongoing interaction with us throughout the day. This is affirmed by Jesus’ promise to His followers, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 

 

We’re never to feel like we’re on the outside looking in to catch the Lord’s attention. In fact, it’s much the opposite. A familiar passage, Revelation 3:20, gives the image of Jesus being on the outside, waiting for our invitation to enter: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

 

Putting it another way, the Lord is assuring us, “I’m here for you, 24/7, no exceptions, no limitations. I’m available when you are. My door is always open.” Isn’t that good to know?

The Desperate, Universal Search for Worry-Free Living

Can you believe it’s been more than 30 years since many of us found ourselves singing the catchy words, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”? It was 1988 when that lilting, uplifting tune by Bobby McFerrin perched atop the Billboard Hot 100 list for two weeks. 

"Hakuna Matata, anyone?"

Then, six years later, we were singing “Hakuna Matata,” the memorable little song from the original animated Disney film, “The Lion King.” Remember? “It means no worries, for the rest of your days. It’s our problem-free philosophy, Hakuna Matata!”

Perhaps just mentioning these simple, infectious musical ditties has caused them to again dance around your mind. To this day, when I offer an apology for an oversight – like running a bit late for an appointment or failing to send a promised email – I’ll hear the other person respond, “No worries.”

Ah, if it were only that simple: Don’t worry, be happy! No worries – Hakuna Matata! Because when worries set it, we want to shout, “That’s easy for you to say!” We do worry, don’t we? A lot. 

We worry that it might rain; we worry that it won’t. We worry about not having enough money; if we have enough money, we worry we’ll lose it. We worry about getting sick, losing our jobs, the car breaking down, or growing old. We worry about what people think of us; we worry if people don’t think about us. We even worry if we don’t have anything to worry about, certain something will emerge to worry about. We just don’t know what it is. And that worries us.

This is a universal human problem, and hardly a new one. Jesus Christ devoted considerable time talking about the futility of worry in His “sermon on the mount”: 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?... Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:25-34).

Another time, Jesus was explaining how worry can prevent responding positively to the Gospel’s life-changing message. In His “parable of the sower,” He described one such category of folks: “The one that received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22). 

Can you imagine settling down somewhere, surrounded by thorns? This was the metaphor Jesus used. Whenever we allow worries to overwhelm us – and I admit, I’ve been guilty of this at times – we’re treading into thorny territory.

Recently I read about something called a “friendship bench.” It was introduced in Zimbabwe, a war-torn, economically depressed African nation where despair has been rampant. The idea was for people beset by hopelessness to visit a friendship bench where trained elderly women would listen to them. 

The concept spawned the Friendship Bench Project, dedicated to establishing places where troubled individuals can engage in “a warm conversation with someone who cares.” They can now be found in London, England, New York City, and other parts of the world.

It's definitely sounds like a good way to at least provide encouragement for people who find themselves at wit’s end in dealing with their life’s circumstances. But did you know God already has a “friendship bench” for us? In Hebrews 4:16 we’re admonished, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Through prayer, God waits eagerly to hear from us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concerned about our lives. We oversee our children so they don’t run out into busy streets. We create budgets for handling our finances wisely. We make sure our vehicles are properly maintained. But as Jesus said, needless worry can choke all the joy and peace out of our lives.

So the next time worry starts consuming our thinking, let’s boldly approach the Lord’s throne of grace, His “friendship bench”: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

When Asking Isn’t a Risk

Have you ever seen one of those public marriage proposals at an athletic contest, when some guy in the stands arranges to have the camera trained on him and his lady love when he decides to drop to a knee and pop the question? Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if she stepped away in horror and shouted, “No way, Jose!”? As many times as those PDAs (public displays of affection) have been done, I suppose it has happened at least once or twice. I’d hate to be that guy.

Long ago I swore off punishing myself by watching “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette,” since they’re such a mockery of what love truly is, but I suspect an occasional repelled proposal has taken place in a climactic episode, if for no other reason than to boost ratings.

Several weeks ago I attended Ohio State’s annual spring football game, which was little more than a glorified intra-squad scrimmage. But the halftime break was highlighted by one of those, “Will you marry me?” moments. Drue Chrisman, the Buckeyes’ punter, arranged to have his girlfriend on the field so he could pop the question in front of 62,000 Scarlet and Gray-clad fans. To make sure everyone had a good view of the proceedings, the proposal was even shown on the huge stadium video screen. 

Predictably, she gave him a tear-filled “Yes!” and the crowd erupted with applause. Again I wondered, what if Chrisman’s girlfriend has said no, or even taken some time to think it over? That would have been awkward, wouldn’t it?

But of course, even though he might have felt a butterfly or two, the Buckeye kicker already knew how she would respond. So getting down on one knee must not have been all that hard. He wasn’t taking a risk. Asking questions like that are easy when you already know the answer.

This is why the words of Jesus Christ should give us such confidence and comfort. For instance, knowing the day of His crucifixion was fast approaching, the Lord desired to assure His closest followers that they wouldn’t be abandoned. “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24).

Wanting them to understand that God is not distant and unreachable, Jesus taught them how to pray expectantly. He told of a man who finally agreed to provide assistance because of a friend’s persistent requests, then assured His disciples that their prayerful petitions would be much more readily received. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10).

Often we approach the Lord tentatively, as if we’re afraid to bother Him with our needs and concerns. “God, I know You’re busy and all, having the whole universe to manage and oversee. But if it’s not too much trouble, if you wouldn’t mind….” However, the writer of Hebrews observes that just as a child has easy access to a loving father, day or night, no matter what, we shouldn’t hesitate in bringing our requests to the Lord.

“For we do not have a high priests who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).

We talk about having a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” and that’s what passages like these underscore. Unlike religions that assert that their deity is unknowable, our Christian faith is based on the assurance that God is personal, present and responsive.

So like the prospective groom who on bended knee asks for the hand of the woman he loves, confident he knows what her answer will be, we can approach the Lord with even greater confidence based on the promises we find in the Scriptures, coupled with His faithful, unwavering character. 

As Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (John 15:7). There’s no risk involved.

Hobnobbing With the Rich and Famous

Have you ever thought of driving directly to the White House, going straight
to the front door and having immediate access to the President?

Imagine driving along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., turning into the driveway at 1600 and proceeding through the security gate without even having to acknowledge the military personnel standing guard at the entrance.

You park in front of the White House, knock on the front door and announce you’re there to see the President. You’re immediately invited in and escorted directly to the Oval Office, where the President waits eagerly for you. No pomp, no circumstance.

No way, you say?

Or consider this: You decide you’d like to meet and hang out with Bill Gates, multibillionaire founder of Microsoft, or corporate magnate Warren Buffett. Wouldn’t it be nice to arrive unannounced, then proceed straight to their office where you’re greeted without preliminaries or formalities?

Not big on business tycoons? Well, think of your favorite actor (male or female – political correctness says women aren’t to be called “actresses” anymore). Or your favorite singer or entertainer. Or your favorite athlete. Envision any one of them, and then imagine being able to meet them, without having to endure a screening process or dealing with a protective administrative assistant or intermediary.

Again, you’re still thinking, “No way.”

Everyone knows you can’t get access to important, famous individuals without some complicated procedure. Few are granted the privilege of meeting such people personally. You need an “in,” a contact within the person’s entourage that can arrange such a meeting. Even then, you know it will be extremely brief, kind of a “nice to meet you, now be on your way” type of encounter.

Their status makes “stars” virtually untouchable. You can’t just “hobnob” with the rich and famous – they’re sheltered in a protective bubble. They can’t be bothered by the common man. “If you want to meet me, read my book. Or buy my album. Watch me on TV or in the movies. Send a request, and if you’re lucky, someone will arrange to send you an autographed photo – maybe my real autograph.”

We know the rules, the protocol. As much as we’d like being up close and personal with our favorite famous folks, we understand that likelihood is only slightly better than our sprouting wings and flying around the world.

But there's one exception – one rich, very famous person with whom instant, unrestricted access is possible. In fact, it’s promised. That “person” is God, the Creator of the universe, the one who owns “the cattle on a thousand hills,” according to Psalm 50:10. We don’t have to finagle our way through an AAA (angelic administrative assistant).

An intermediary was in fact necessary, but all the preliminary work has been done. Ephesians 3:12 declares, “In (Christ) and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Expanding on that, Hebrews 4:16 states, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Just as the children of the President of the United States or the child of an entertainment superstar would have access not available to anyone else, God is always ready to welcome His children without red tape. Our prayers and petitions are never put on hold.

And it’s all because of what Jesus did on our behalf, more than 20 centuries ago. That’s good to remember at this time of year.