Pray Boldly And Act

 

The recently deceased Larry King once told a story to illustrate the true meaning of following through and expecting results from ones actions. He describes three farmers who gathered daily in an open field during a horrible drought. The men are down on their knees, looking upward, and praying the skies will open and pour forth a much-needed rain. Unfortunately, the heavens remained silent, and the petitioners are becoming discouraged, but they continue to meet every morning, lifting up their request to God. One morning an uninvited stranger approaches and asks the men what they are doing. One responded, “We’re praying for rain.” The newcomer looks at the three of them and shakes his head, “No, I don’t think so.” The first farmer says, “Of course we’re praying. We’re down on our knees pleading for rain. Look around – see the drought? We haven’t had rain in more than a year!” The outsider advises them that their efforts will never work. The second farmer jumps in and says, “We need the rain! We aren’t asking for only ourselves, but for our families and livestock too.” The outsider listens, nods, and says he still isn’t impressed with their efforts. “You’re wasting your time,” he tells them. The third farmer can take no more of this stranger and in anger says, “Okay! What would you do if you were in our shoes?” The visitor says, “Do you really want to know?” The three landowners look at each other, and then reply, “We really want to know. The future of our farmlands is at stake.” The guest calmly announced, “First of all, I would have brought an umbrella!”

Although life has many satisfying moments there will be times of adversity. In fact, there is a greater risk of personal tribulation the longer we live. Hardly a week passes by that we don’t hear of a car wreck, a broken bone, a life-threatening surgery, an unexpected death, a financial collapse, or a marriage break-up. David was no stranger to difficult times. Many of the Psalms grow out of the crucible of personal conflict. A close reading of Psalm 70 shows that he often became impatient in hostile environments. Four times he asked God to hurry in answering his prayer. Five times he requested that God would “let” circumstances change regarding his adversity. The Psalm closes with David asking God to “make no delay”. Like David, the suffering saint will ask, “Why is God so slow in answering my prayer? Why is He so impatient in working out solutions to my problems?” Many of our hardships are caused by disobedience. If God were quick to punish - few would be living today. It is God’s nature to be slow in punishment so the wicked may have time to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Hardship makes us examine our heart (Psalm 130:1-5). Tribulation ensures our survival by helping to instill within us qualities of discipline, independence, and creativity. Paul wrote that adversity helps create perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). Christians who graduate from the “school of hard knocks” are often those who grow in faith the most.

[1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18] “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” And when you pray, pray boldly to the Lord! He came to earth; He suffered; He suffered crucifixion. He died for you. “Therefore confess your sins to each another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Are you a righteous person? Have you obeyed the Gospel by confessing your faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33), repenting of your sins (Acts 3:19), and putting Christ on in baptism (Galatians 3:27)? God is always with us. Pray boldly and act (Deuteronomy 31:6).