The Trinity and Prayer
For a long time, when I learned of a need someone had, I would apologetically say, All I can do is pray. Let that sink in for a second. All I can do is pray. One day, I realized what that was implying, and it wasn't godly. In essence, I was calling the Trinity's current work something less than it is. What do I mean?
We know from John 17: 20-26 that Christ prayed for us when here the first time:
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as yo, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, who you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
And in Hebrews 7:23-25, we learn: The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he abides forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. [ital. added]
We know too from Romans 8:26-27, that the Holy Spirit He promised is present to help us, interceding for us with groanings too deep for words. "And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." [ital. added]
Since Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding, and the indwelling Holy Spirit intercedes also, who am I to say, or even to think, All I can do is pray? When I pray, I have the honor of entering in with the Trinity into a work they continue in even now.
Thank you, God, for the privilege of sharing with you in your work. May all I ask always be in accord with your will, and so honor you. Amen.
For a long time, when I learned of a need someone had, I would apologetically say, All I can do is pray. Let that sink in for a second. All I can do is pray. One day, I realized what that was implying, and it wasn't godly. In essence, I was calling the Trinity's current work something less than it is. What do I mean?
We know from John 17: 20-26 that Christ prayed for us when here the first time:
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as yo, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, who you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
And in Hebrews 7:23-25, we learn: The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he abides forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. [ital. added]
We know too from Romans 8:26-27, that the Holy Spirit He promised is present to help us, interceding for us with groanings too deep for words. "And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." [ital. added]
Since Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding, and the indwelling Holy Spirit intercedes also, who am I to say, or even to think, All I can do is pray? When I pray, I have the honor of entering in with the Trinity into a work they continue in even now.
Thank you, God, for the privilege of sharing with you in your work. May all I ask always be in accord with your will, and so honor you. Amen.
Labels: Prayer, the Trinity
posted by Ebeth | 10:02 AM
1 Comments:
This is so amazing to think about. As you know, (maybe you don't know), our son Steve is going through a horrible time right now. I wish I could do so much more to help, but there are times when I think "all I can do is pray". When you think that you are standing in the presence of the "High King of Heaven" making your requests known to Him, how can we possibly say "all I can do is pray". Thanks so much for helping me see this more clearly.
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