January 25, 2010

Luke 11:8 “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10. For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.

I have been wondering about – well, not persistence so much (though I have been sensing I need to be more persistent in my prayers, especially for the salvation of family members and others, and for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in His church and kingdom, and so on). But wondering about the whole thing about “praying specifically.” Some people thing this is really important – and that “not praying specifically” is a cop-out and shows lack of faith. (I guess this also goes along with “pray big” … and maybe even “dream/ envision big” …)

Anyway, the thing I wonder is whether it really is best to, well, tell God exactly what we want/need/desire and/or tell Him exactly what to do, or beg Him to fulfill “our vision” or whatever. It’s just been my experience, over and over, that God’s foreknowledge and eternal purposes and sovereignty are so far beyond our imaginings (or even our faith…) – and I dread the thought of short-circuiting His plans by insisting on mine! I know I often feel quite certain that God is speaking to me about this or that – but always I am concerned that my own wishes and perceptions and desires might be getting mixed up in it all.

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