The Trinity and Prayer
For a long time, when I learned of a need someone had, I would say apologetically, "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 He was 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 all may be one, just as you, 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, so 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 which 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 [Jesus Christ] 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."
Since Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding, and the indwelling Holy Spirit intercedes also (see Romans 8:26-27), 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 honor You. Amen.
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 He was 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 all may be one, just as you, 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, so 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 which 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 [Jesus Christ] 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."
Since Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding, and the indwelling Holy Spirit intercedes also (see Romans 8:26-27), 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 honor You. Amen.
posted by Ebeth | 8:44 AM
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