None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who have learned it by experience.
- Martin Luther
Many of us long to see God's will more fully realized in our lives and the lives of those we love. Yet, more often than not, our prayers and efforts seem stymied and resisted. What do we do when the going gets tough?
When spiritual battles for family members, friends and neighbors are drawn out for months, years and even decades it's easy to give up or redefine success. Do believers play an essential role in seeing the will of God accomplished? If so, how do we handle hardship and find the strength to soldier on?
There's a great difference between knowing something, even to the point of surety, and being able to demonstrate the validity of one's claim. For example, one might believe in the existence of Mt. Everest and be familiar with the ins and outs of mountain climbing, yet this hardly equates with summiting the world's tallest peak. In a similar way, simply believing God exists and knowing something about His will is no assurance of it being accomplished in ourselves or others.
This is not to say that faith and seeking the Kingdom aren't critical components in experiencing God. Even so, these and other spiritual disciplines are tools or means to an end, not to be confused with the goal itself. By definition, the objective of Christianity's not to know about Christ but to become like Christ. Such belief encompasses all life's aspects, so much so that Jesus describes it as "the work of God."
Within modern Christianity there's a great deal of confusion regarding what is and isn't the will of God in matters both great and small. While good Bible study habits would bring much needed clarity, few today are diligent enough to thoroughly read, correctly interpret and memorize Scripture. Instead, most believers find it much easier to simply rely on religious traditions or popular new doctrines. Even among those who consider themselves avid students of Scripture and have the well marked Bibles to prove it, there's exists great differences in belief systems. These include Catholic and Protestant, liberal and conservative as well as charismatic and cessationist. For the purpose of this article we will be discussing God's will from the viewpoint of the Protestant conservative charismatic, with the understanding that while we each may have a point of view, Omnity alone has "View."
A large part of realizing God's corporate and individual plan for humanity is understanding His will as revealed in Scripture. While the Bible provides room for God to "move in mysterious ways" it also explicitly states His thoughts on a variety of vital subjects. This leaves believers with the sacred responsibility to research, discover and when necessary recover the blessings of God so essential to our carrying out the Great Commission Christ entrusted His Church with. As Deuteronomy 29:29 states, "God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It's up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation."
Fighting the Good Fight
A tragic yet all too frequent example from ordinary life should suffice. Millions of Christian families know the grief of having unsaved loved ones. Take a parent who cares enough to agonized over the rebellion of a child. Let's suppose, unlike most modern fathers or mothers, our parent had dedicated their child to God from before birth and went to lengths to insure their baby's childhood was filled with love while raising him or her "in the admonition of the Lord." For our purposes, let's say our Christian mother or father had even gone so far as to foresee the kinds of temptations their child would be facing, often going the extra mile in preparing them to withstand the wiles of the Devil.
Then the unthinkable happens. Quickly or over a period of time their precious and pure young adult son or daughter falls from grace, departing from both their home and faith. Is the will of God a mystery in this situation? Of course not. Sure as the morning sun, God requires the parents of such a child to wage war for the spiritual and temporal wellbeing of their offspring. Our attitude must be like that of the Apostle Paul, who hearing of the difficulties of the Church he had planted in Galatia, feared his labor on their behalf would be in vain. Far from wondering what God's will was in the matter he plunged into spiritual battled for those he loved, crying, "Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives."
Unfortunately, few today follow Paul's lead. Millions of modern Christian households have one or more family members enslaved to sins of apathy and unbelief, worldliness and immorality. Substance abuse, pornography and divorce are nearly as rampant among Christians as those denying God, yet the prayer time of the average Christian is a few minutes a day if that. Where are the praying parents who care enough to travail as earnestly for their own children as Paul was young Christians he barely knew?
For the sake of argument, let's say our parent or parents were a cut above the rest. Having raised their child well, rather than simply being overcome with grief, they purpose to redouble their efforts to "overcome evil with good" on behalf of their adult child. "Speaking the truth in love" they carefully and compassionately warn and encourage their wayward son or daughter to come to their senses before any further harm is done or it's eternally too late. Day after day, week after week, month after month and if necessary year after year, they reason with their once obedient child while pleading with God to grant them the gift of repentance and salvation.
While any number of outcomes is possible in the above scenario, the following is one of them most common. Should our attentive father, mother or both be among the small percentage alarmed enough to begin truly travailing in prayer for their rebellious child or children, they quickly find themselves discouraged. Rather than surrounded by an army of other praying parents meeting together regularly to support, encourage and "spur one another on" in this important Kingdom business they find themselves virtually alone. As is so often the case, Churchianity being more concerned with attending rather than being the Church, offers little or no support even while hemorrhaging sixty to seventy percent of it's young adult membership.
Further exacerbating the problem is the likelihood that one or both parents are ill prepared to meet the time, energy and emotional commitment of diligently and fervently praying until breaking through to God. Even the attempt stir up unresolved issues with God such as sorrow and doubt. Perhaps to the point of calling into question their own faith and relationship with the Lord. Had they done something wrong to deserve this? Had they raised their family and/or even now lack sensitivity to the Holy Spirit? Should they pray with brokenness and repentance or confident boldness? Do they carry "godly sorrow that brings repentance" and life with them throughout the day, or trust God to make "all things beautiful in its time?"
These are all extremely valid questions, all the more so given the tens of millions of Christian households having immediate and/or extended family members at risk. Yet amazingly there are relatively few if any Christian books dedicated to praying prodigal children home! All this strongly suggests that rather than engaging in the "good fight of faith" for our loved ones, most believers are choosing to throw in the towel and hope for the best.
As Christians, it's easy and comforting to see ourselves differently than we really are. Preachers preach, teachers teach and singers sing about being transformed in Christ to the point of being seated with Him in heavenly places. While such passages and promises are full of hope for those willing to meet and continue meeting the Bible's conditions for salvation, even these are hardly license to ignore the thousands of Scriptural commands to seek and obey God diligently. For example, many confuse presumption with faith, mindlessly praising God for victory in battles in which they refuse to engage. It's one thing to fight and fail. Quite another to fail to fight.
Christian educators and entertainers frequently quote verses from the New Testament writing of the Apostle Paul, assuring believers there's nothing to fear but fear itself. Amazingly, such teachers continually overlook the fact that Jesus and Peter, John and James and particularly Paul all repeatedly and in a variety of ways command Christians to work out their "salvation with fear and trembling." Furthermore, these fail to notice the sacrifice and scars associated with fighting the good fight of faith. The passion of Christ is well document in Scripture and seen in the movie by the same name. Paul himself, who's epistles are so often sourced among those catering to easy believism, was a walking scar. On five separate occasions he was lashed thirty nine times, each event coming within a inch of his life. That's 195 scars, not to mention the divots from being literally stoned to death by the hands of first century Churchianity:
- "I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger? If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am." 2 Corinthians 11:23-30
Redefining Success
Now that's an example of someone who could rightfully say he'd fought the good fight of faith. Again, one wonders if Paul was willing to suffer so on behalf of friends in the faith, what lengths would he have gone to to ensure the salvation of his own children. Sadly, for those of us even bothering to enter the ring, it's usually a knock out in the first round. So the painful question becomes how do we live with our failure to experience God's will for ourselves and demonstrate it for others? Regrettably, it seems to be a relatively easy and simple matter to redefine success.
This unfortunate trend is pandemic within modern Christianity. Our current example provides an excellent though lamentable model of choosing to give in rather than give our all. While only a small percentage of Christian parents prove as diligent as those being discussed, rationalizing the lack of zeal necessary to see those we loved saved and sanctified is nearly universal. In our current case, let's suppose that having found few if any Christians willing to join them in "praying without ceasing" for spiritual lost family members, our parents soldiering on through confusion and doubt. Should they see no immediate fruit from their labors, which is often the case, they will find themselves quickly and repeatedly facing three options:
1. Increase their efforts: This is both the correct and least taken alternative for several reasons. One would have to care enough to honestly review the success rate of their prayers. Next, emotional fatigue needs to be overcome, for "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Hope would need to be stirred up as faith is tested and given a chance to grow.
2. Continue or decrease their efforts: In an effort to console and insulate ourselves from pain it's tempting to rationalize caring less. Raised to expect and even demand instant gratification, fewer and fewer are willing to go the extra mile even once, much less over and over again. Sadly, pop doctrine and even certain scripture's are often quoted to quiet the conscience. Terminology like "I've given it to God" and "It's in the Lord's hands now" as well as the ever popular "God's still on the throne" are tossed about. While these truism may be correct, they hardly excuse us from paying the cost of true commitment and endurance. As St. Augustine noted, "Without God man cannot. Without man, God will not."
3. End any serious efforts: While few Christians would ever admit to this option, it is in fact the most common choice. While there may be a word spoken (often in haste) to the errant adult child now and again there is no comprehensive strategy to draw them back by love or snatch them from the fire. Rather than increasing in fervency, prayer becomes practically non existent, deteriorating into wishful thinking. Again misunderstood scripture or platitudes are often employed to keep the silent correction of the Spirit at bay.
It's difficult to fault those who've worked hard to see God's will realized rethink their commitment when their dreams fail to come to pass or unravel before their very eyes. Often, despite our best efforts, it appears our hopes for the people and issues we love seem to go no where or worse, in reverse. Unanswered prayer can take as much or more a toll on faith as the challenges and trials we pray about. We wonder why scripture is full of assurances that believing prayer can change anything while our experience may fall far short of its promises:
- "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:23-24
- "Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-20
- "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him." 1 John 3:21
Here's were "redefining success" comes in handy. As already mentioned, rather than admit the failure of our faith to produce God's will in a matter we tend to rationalize the situation. From this point there are several unfortunate options. Charismatics simply declare victory even with all evidence to the contrary. They claim authority, binding and loosing through the name of Christ just as the apostles did. What few take the time to note is the radical difference between 1st and 21st century Christians, which may account for our lack of results. Cessationists go the other way, rejecting any sense of failure by insisting miracles all but ceased with the canonization of the Bible. Thankfully, such doctrine directly contradicts the clear teaching of the scripture which assures both the fruit and gifts of the Spirit are as available today as they are necessary to fulfilling the Great Commission.
Denial is a critical component in both cases. Charismatics are notorious for playing fast and loose with the facts. Cooking the books to make it seem the miraculous is commonplace, testimonies are designed to represent the exception as the rule. Cessationists do the same with scripture, often overemphasizing God's sovereignty above His will as clearly revealed in the Bible. Some of both camps choose a third option. Unable to move God, men or circumstances they redefine the goal. Setting aside the original object of their prayer and labor, they shift the focus to themselves in a number of ways. Turing inward, they look for easier battles where they have greater control over the outcome. Many confess sin, proclaiming God's will is being accomplished in mighty ways as they grow in holiness. Minute personal sin, rather than the extreme needs of others, becomes the new point of prayer. Others focus on their subjective thoughts and emotions, claiming victory over situations that show no signs of improvement strictly on the basis of feeling better about them. Unless very discerning, charismatics easily fall into this category. Trying to trust God while under pressure, good people in desperation can easily mistake presumption for genuine faith and a favorite scripture for a personal "word from the Lord."
Peace and inspiration from God are frequent Biblical themes. Hundreds of verses promise believers who please God these very blessings. Even so, everything genuine has a counterfeit. Most mistakes are made from understandable and even good intentions. Yet when our motives are more light grey than dark and sinister, it's easy to loose focus and be diverted from the difficult yet crucial tasks at hand. Well aware of this, Paul explains:
- "Be happy in your faith and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually. Be unceasing in praying perseveringly. Thank God in everything no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks, for this is the will of God for you. Do not quench, suppress or subdue the Holy Spirit. Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets, do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning. But test and prove all things until you can recognize what is good; to that hold fast." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-21 Amplified Version
Overcoming Resistance
This, and so many scriptures like it, remind Christians of the need for not just prayer, but "persevering prayer." Several of Christ's parables show that it's "necessary for us to pray consistently and never quit." In His famous Sermon on the Mount Jesus directs:
- “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8
A true kingdom soldier, Paul encourages Christians "don't grow weary in doing good" and "don't be overcome by evil rather overcome evil with good." Accustomed to facing continual assaults against God's will being realized, rather than directing believers to "let go and let God" Paul commands to dig in and fight for what they know is right. Carrying hundreds of scars inflicted at the hands of his own beloved people the Jews, the words of this kingdom commander come to us at great cost.
As the New Testaments most prolific author, Paul's experience and insight is crucial to those working to see God's will "done on earth as it is in heaven." Unique in spiritual understanding, his writings reveal why God's will and Christ's gospel continue to meet with such overwhelming resistance:
- "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:10-12
With such things in mind, it's no wonder Paul's wartime strategy, like that of Winston Churchill, was never retreat, never surrender. He left us with the example to not water down our mission parameters when facing challenges but rather be prepared to resist and contend with demonic principalities and powers for the souls of men. The question is are we willing to admit the true extent of the spiritual war waging around us? If so, will we be quick to answer the call to serve or attempt to doge God's draft? Will we submit to the instruction and discipline of the Holy Spirit or wash out in basic training? Do we have the spiritual stamina to endure hardship while fighting for our own salvation and that of our families, friends and neighbors or are we AWOL? Will we pay the price to be wise and discerning in battle as a good soldier must:
- “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Wherever the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved and to be steady on all the battlefield besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that one point.” Martin Luther
- "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves." Hebrews 12:1-4 The Message
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