Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall be garrisoning your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus
Paul to the Philippians 4: 6-7, Concordant New Testament
I've been doing quite a bit of Jesus watching lately. I have offered up more than a few prayers within my circle of friends, and now I watch for what Jesus might provide in these situations. After all, isn't it Jesus who ultimately works in these situations of offered prayer {Johns Account 16:23-24}? Granted, the prayers which I offer up are not always over believers in Christ. Many of my prayers are for those who have struggled to know who Jesus even is. And that is usually how I began my prayer for them, that Jesus would reveal Himself in them as He did me. I remember the days that I used to struggle with the knowing the truth of Christ in me. I also know that there were friends of mine who prayed that Jesus would be revealed in me. How wonderful it must have been for them to witness firsthand the Fathers revelation of Christ in me. Once they prayed over me, they were certainly watching for Jesus to do His work in me. Well, that prayer has been answered. Now, this is the same prayer that I offer up for my friends. When I talk to my friends about prayer, I get a few different responses. There is the common, Christian theology response that whatever we ask for in prayer will be given to us {Matthews Account 7:7, 21:22}. But I've also had discussions with others about those prayers which remain unanswered, through our eyes anyway. Does unanswered prayer mean that Jesus has given up working in our situation? No! In my opinion, those prayers which we often see as being unanswered are simply more of an opportunity to watch for the works of Jesus in our lives. I recall the days of the "Name it and claim it" doctrine in the mainstream church. Where far too many Pharisee school educated pastors pushed the belief that we could ask for anything and it would be given unto us. After all, look at all the scripture passages that proclaim that whatever we ask for in prayer will be delivered unto us. Well, it wasn't long before congregations everywhere were bowing their knees in prayer to God for everything from new cars to fancy houses. Why not, God said that He would provide for us, right? I've often wondered if these pastors ever read from Jesus' sermon on the mount that the Father knows what we need even before we ask Him {Matthews Account 6:19-21}. Besides, what good is watching for Jesus if we already know what He's going to do?
"You, then, should not be worrying, saying, 'What may we be eating?' or 'What may we be drinking?' or 'With what may we be clothed?' For all these things the nations are seeking. For aware is your heavenly Father that you need all of these
Matthew 6: 31-32, Concordant New Testament
In my community of friends, there are often times when a few of them will relate to me difficult situations which they are facing. Sometimes I share that I will be praying over them, while other times I simply pray without telling them. A good friend recently thanked me for praying for his son who had been sick for some time. The funny thing is, I never told him that I was praying for him. However, it seems that he knows me well enough to know that once I am aware of a friend's difficult situation, that my first reaction is to offer that situation up in prayer. Whatever the case, my friend's son is now doing well once again. This is all part of our Jesus watching, waiting and looking for how He will work in any given situation. Scripture tells us that He hears us when we pray {First Epistle of John 5:14}. So, if He hears our prayers, can we not be confident that He will work in a way that is beneficial to us {Jeremiah 29:11}? He knows our needs. He also knows how to work in every situation so that it will be the best outcome for us. This is the confidence we have in Him. If our prayer for a fancy car goes unanswered does that mean that God is not interested in our needs? Not at all. Remember, He knows our needs. I remember being angry with God after my mother passed. For more than a few years, my prayer had been that He would heal her and deliver her from her pain. The night she passed away, my anger with God simmered. How could He not honor my prayer to heal her? Yet, months later, after I'd had time to cool down, the Father revealed to me that He had indeed healed my mom. She was no longer suffering and in pain. God worked in this situation not in the way I expected, but in one that produced the best outcome. For that I am thankful.
~Scott~
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