February 2000

by Carole Forde

[See Past Issues for 1 of 2]

cripture teaches us how to pray; but years of carnal abuse drown out its Voice of Instruction. No amount of endless pleadings or heated harangues can alter or rush God’s finished creative Work! This is why Eccl 1:9 tells us, "There is nothing new under the sun! For that which has been, is what shall be; and that which has been done, is that which shall be done!"
                 The carnal mind becomes enraged by the fact of God’s omnipotent, predestined work: the idea that He cannot create anything new or unprecedented; or that all his thoughts are foreknown and forespent since the time of creation! But this is when God’s Word becomes "A Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense." ( 1 Pet 2:8 ) If everything really was finished from the foundation of the world, why should anyone bother to pray at all? Because as each day unfolds and God’s Plan comes to life. His Prayer (even unspoken- as such groanings too deep for utterance) is the catalyst that sets His work in motion. If a certain issue needs a special, spoken word to bring it to fruition, the Spirit of Christ (God’s Pray-er) raises up a thought (Prayer) in someone’s heart that becomes an Oracle of Power. These are the times when "The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." ( Jas 5:16 ) But "There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, no not one"; ( Ro 3:10 ) except "Our Advocate with the Father, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS"! ( 1 Jn 2:1 )
                 Then "No Word of God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment" ( Lk 1:37 AV ) Further, "We have this confidence IN HIM- that we may ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, and He hears us! " ( 1 Jn 5:14 ) 2 Chr 7:14 adds, "If MY people, who are called by MY Name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My Face, and turn away from their wicked ways, I will HEAR from Heaven; and forgive their sin, and heal their land." God hears what is "according to His Will", by a humble people! "God knows how to deliver the Godly out of temptation"; ( 2 Pet 2:9 ) according to His wise predetermination!
                 Jesus once slept peacefully in a boat as his apostles were panicked by the troubled sea that threatened to founder them. [Isa 57:20 says, "The wicked are as the troubled sea" ! Wicked" used here means: "Disturbed, vexed, and WRONG!"] The Son of God was in their boat, yet they were still disturbed , vexed; and wrong!!! He is in the "boat" of every man’s life. Asleep or awake, the Faithful and True is there! For He says "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He also says "The coming of the Son of Man shall be as IN THE DAYS OF NOAH!" [Noah" means "REST"!] Those who know Christ as Savior, Lord, King, Husband, Brother, Friend and Father, should rest in that alone. For this cause, we should copy Noah and build ourselves an ARK OF TRUST in which to ride out our life’s storms, secure in the knowledge that He could rebuke the waves if He wanted to! But till He does, we are safe in His Presence! If an anointed Word is needed to resolve a trial in our lives, So"Be still and know that I am God!" ( Ps 46:10 ) And Mt 6:5-7 counsels, "When you pray, do not be as the hypocrites who love to pray standing before men; even on street corners to be seen by men! Truly I tell you, that this,is their only reward. But when you pray, go into your closet (ark) and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father in secret and your Father Who sees you in secret, will reward you openly Do not use vain repetitions as do unbelievers who think they will be heard for their multitude of words!; for your Father knows what you need BEFORE YOU EVEN ASK !" So let us rest in His finished Works; and LEAVE THE PRAYING TO HIM! Amen.