Three places in scripture that the Lord has been taking me to over and over again are Mark 9, Luke 11, and Philippians 4. They have spoken into my life and ministered directly to my heart in the process of fundraising and preparing to leave for the World Race in just 15 days. So as to not draw out this intro, here’s what I’ve been learning.
Mark 9 is a story about a father whose son is filled with an unclean spirit. He brings this boy to Jesus and says “But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (v. 22). Jesus replies “If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” The father immediately says “I believe; help my unbelief!”
I. Am. That. Father. Refer back to my prayers about selling my car in this blog. Timid, afraid, and doubting. I was all about that “I believe; help my unbelief.” I know sometimes it doesn’t sound like it, but I honestly believe that God is provider. I certainly don’t act like it, but I whole heartedly believe it. I need Jesus to help me with my unbelief.
Luke 11 teaches us about prayer. Verses 9 and 10 say “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
First, I could write a whole blog on how this passage does NOT mean God will give me whatever I want, how I want it, when I want it. For the sake of length, I’m just going to leave it there and let you do your own study if you don’t believe me.
The context of this verse is that there is a man who has a visitor whom he is expected to provide for, but he is out of bread. He goes to his neighbor late at night and knocks on the door, begging to borrow some bread. The neighbor is already in bed and asleep so he tells him to go away. But the man is persistent. He keeps knocking. He keeps asking. And finally, because of his persistence, the neighbor opens the door and lends the man some bread.
This is what Jesus wants from us. He wants us to be persistent in prayer. He wants us to trust that He is perfect and His timing is best. This means we might not get what we want when we want it. But we serve a good and perfect God who knows exactly what we need when we need it. Later in Luke 9, Jesus says “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (v. 13).
How much more, y’all, how much more.
And finally, Philippians 4:6-7. I’m sure you’ve heard it one time or another, but bear with me. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Here’s what I never got from that passage: with thanksgiving. It sounds simple, right? I’VE ALWAYS MISSED THIS PART. I ask and ask and ask without ever stopping to give thanks. But the instructions that God gives us in this passage is to pair our requests with thanksgiving. God is so good. All good and perfect gifts come from Him. May we all stop and give thanks; there’s so much to be thankful for.
In the context of the World Race, I can receive a HUGE donation, and then the next day I’m back to worrying. I’m back to doubting God’s ability to provide. But not anymore. I will choose to be thankful. I will choose to dwell on what God has provided and be thankful for that FIRST, before making any request be made known to Him.
I can sum what I learned up in three words:
BELIEVE,
THANK,
ASK.
God is so good. Let’s believe that, ask in light of His goodness, and thank Him no matter what.
I still need $5,032 to be fully funded. Please consider making a financial donation of any amount. Your money goes way beyond me and into furthering God’s Kingdom on Earth.
