After my regular Tuesday morning “leader’s prayer time” I headed to Denver. As part of our preparation for our trip, I took our dog to my mother’s house. I also met up with my sister to wrap up some business with my mom’s new roof that was install in February.

I needed to get my glasses fixed and so made a trip to Mountain Vista Eye Care. I was able to see my eye doctor and friend Steve Loomis. It was good to get caught up and for him to see me without a wheelchair.

I stopped to visit Christian and Bridget and the grand  kids. I took a little nap before fighting evening traffic back to Fort Collins. As I was leaving Christian and Bridget were getting ready to head different directions with baseball scrimmage for Riley, soccer practice for Caedmon (he has his official shin pads) and tumbling for Eliana.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… A teacher of the Law was there who heard the discussion. He saw that Jesus had given the Sadducees a good answer, so he came to him with a question: “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus replied, “The most important one is this: ‘Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two.” Mark 12:28-31

Jesus time in Jerusalem leading up to the celebration of Passover is filled with His teaching. Much of what He said, was in response to questions that were being asked. Questions that were designed to trap more than a desire for insight.

Questions about Jesus authority. Questions about paying taxes to Caesar. Questions about marriage in heaven. Questions about the greatest commandment. It is interesting that Jesus’ response to several questions were designed to lead those who asked to their own decision. He asked his interrogators what their opinion was of John the Baptist. He asked for a coin? In responding to the question about raising from the dead, He said, “God is the God of the living.” And He prefaced His remark to the religious leaders with, “you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God!” (Mark 12:24) (Ouch!)

In response to the question about the greatest commandment, Jesus simply said, “Love God with your entire being, love your neighbor as yourself.” He distilled the 613 laws of the Old Testament plus those the Pharisees added as a guard to the law of Moses, into two basic commands. The Law of Moses is about our relationship with God and our relationship with others. To me that vertical and horizontal focus of our lives is picture in the cross, with the head of Jesus looking up and the arms of Jesus out stretched.

In all of these attempts to trap Jesus, He made His point and frustrated the religious leaders trying to trap Him. We read of their response, “…the people they could not catch him in a thing, so they kept quiet, amazed at his answer.” (Luke 20:26) After Jesus turned the tables and asked them a question about the Messiah being the Son of David, they were not able to answer. Some responded, “A good answer, Teacher!” And the Luke adds, “…they did not dare ask him any more questions.” (Luke 20:39,40)

Then we see that several gospel writers record Jesus teaching about the “coming of the Son of Man.” Jesus gave them the “signs of end times.” He prepared them for what they would face and told them to keep awake and stay alert and watch. He did this in parables and in specific teaching with the Temple as the backdrop. (Luke 21:7-38; Mark 13:1-37)

The teachings of this week are important, because they were some of the final lessons, Jesus taught. Some insights were pulled out of Him by questions that were asked, others were through observations (Widow’s mite) some were to speak of how to live right before God in the present and to prepare for the future.

As we have observed the response of the crowd, “hanging on Jesus words”; it is a reminder to us to value, study and heed Jesus instructions. As we do, we find insight into our lives for today and preparation for the future, as God’s plan for this world continues to unfold.

What a great day for me. I went to the fitness center this morning and had a shorter workout than usual. This afternoon I ran some errands and then spent some time working outside. It was great weather and the dog kept me company. Thursday of this week travel to Atlanta to spend the Easter holiday with Stephanie and her family. We are looking forward to the trip.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Then Jesus went into the Temple and began to drive out the merchants, saying to them, “It is written in the Scriptures that God said, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer.’ But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!” Luke 19:45-46

The first actions of new crowned King or elected official in our day, are usually designed to make a statement. Such was the case as Jesus rides into Jerusalem with the shouts and praises of the people still echoing off the walls of the city.

Jesus’ first actions are not to teach or heal, but to retake “God’s House” for its original purpose. Like many things what began as a practical activity to serve pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for the Passover or to perform regular temple duties had become the center of attention. What could have been facilitated outside of the Temple grounds, was a dominating presence on the hallowed site. God’s House had been turned into a flea market and financial center.

Mark’s gospel is more specific in describing Jesus actions, “Jesus went to the Temple and began to drive out all those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, and he would not let anyone carry anything through the Temple courtyards.” Mark 11:15,16

We see in Jesus words, that is was just not the activity, but the advantage that was being exerted over people that was at the root of Jesus rage. People were not being served, they were being taken advantage of; “…you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

Jesus declaration was, “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.” (Mark 11:17) The main activity, the primary focus of God’s House was to be prayer. Mark adds “for all nations.” This once again underscores that fact that God was not just the “god of the Jews.” He is the Creator God, who is the Lord of all the earth and all people. When you came to the Temple, you came to honor God and seek Him, not enter the business district.

After this, Jesus began to teach daily and heal people. “Every day Jesus taught in the Temple.…The blind and the crippled came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.”  (Luke 19:47; Matthew 21:14)

These actions of Jesus put the religious leaders over the edge. “The chief priests, the teachers of the Law, and the leaders of the people wanted to kill him, but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people kept listening to him, not wanting to miss a single word.” Luke 19:47-48

Some would say that the motivation to kill Jesus stemmed from the disruption of their “money making machine.” I would submit it was much more related to Jesus challenging the spiritual authority of the religious leaders. After all, they were the ones who were true to the Law of Moses. They were the authority in teaching the people. Now, “some one greater than Moses” was in the House. He was healing people. They were clinging on every word He spoke. The Scribes and Pharisees stock was diminishing. They could have made an adjustment to deal with “the money issue” but losing their power over the people was a different matter all together. They needed an opportunity. They would get that when Judas decided to betray Jesus and when they leveraged influence on the local Roman government to have Jesus killed.

Paul writes to the Corinthians and reminds them, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Cor. 3:15) When Jesus is present among God’s people, He sets our priorities aright. It is easy for “other things…important things…practical things” to get us off track. That is why the apostles in Acts said, “We…will give our full time to prayer and the work of preaching.” (Acts. 6:4)

When Jesus is “in His house” we will want to talk with Him (prayer) and we will want to listen to Him (teaching of the Word). He sets our priorities aright, and points our focus to the “basics.”

During this Holy Week, this is a good time to “get back to the basics.” Prayer and God’s Word. You may want to review the Bible passages that relate to the events of this week. You may want to listen to some teaching on the internet or radio that will give you insight into the life of Jesus and His plan and purpose for your life.

Today was a great day for the kick off for Holy Week. I actually helped with the prayer team at the end of all three services today at Timberline Church. However, I did have one couple pray for me! My friend John, thought it was time for me to break free to my “walker dependency.”

With the spring weather, I was able to get some work done outside. Cleaning out the strawberry patch, deep root watering trees and trimming a few rose bushes. Leaves are beginning to sprout on the trees and some flowers are beginning to bloom as the life of spring after the dead of winter is beginning to show.

 BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “When he came near Jerusalem, at the place where the road went down the Mount of Olives, the large crowd of his disciples began to thank God and praise him in loud voices for all the great things that they had seen:  “God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!”       Luke 19:37-38

Today is Palm Sunday; the beginning of Holy Week. This past Wednesday at Timberline Church Pastor Brent Cunningham reviewed the events of Holy Week and challenged us to give special consideration to the events of this crucial and epic week in the life of Jesus and human history.

Jesus was a “man on a mission.” We see it early in his life at the age of twelve. After being lost in the crowed, his parents found him in the Temple, debating with the Teachers of the Law. When they reprimanded Him, He asked, “… Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

In the height of Jesus earthly ministry, after the Transfiguration and telling His disciples about what laid ahead for him, scripture records, “As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51) Some translations use the words, “he set his face toward Jerusalem.” In our modern day vernacular, “Jesus had His game face on!” This is not tourism, this is destiny. This is what He had “been born for.” He knew His purpose and was focused on fulfilling it.

Jesus comes down the road from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. The recent miracles of Lazarus being raised from the dead and blind eyes opened are still fresh on people’s minds. Hopes are high, excitement is in the air as the Jewish pilgrims come to Jerusalem for Passover.

Jesus is welcomed to the city in a “ticker tape parade.” People welcome Jesus, paving the way with palm branches and their strewn clothes, forming an ancient “red carpet” of honor. They are shouting words of rejoicing and pleas of  “Hosanna” (save us!) and “glory to God.” The praises of the people echo the song of the Angels some 33 years earlier on the hills outside of Bethlehem as the birth of Jesus is announced.

But Jesus was well aware of what the coming days would hold. He knew how fickle people are and how quickly they change when their expectations don’t match with God’s plan. How quickly a week can change life. I can reflect on times when I shook someone’s hand as they were leaving a worship service on Sunday only to find myself standing at their casket before the week was done. Such it would be for Jesus. Crowned on Sunday, condemned as a criminal by Friday.

But today was a time to recognize and honor Jesus the King. He came to Jerusalem like King David of old on a donkey. After all He was a “Son of David.” Even little children joined in the songs and shouts of worship. The religious leaders thought they were out of control and wanted Jesus to stop them. But he simply replied, “if they were silent the very rocks would cry out.” (Luke 19:40)

As Jesus enters the city the rejoicing and joy of the people, turns to weeping for Jesus. “He came closer to the city, and when he saw it, he wept over it, saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it!”  (Luke 19:41-42)  Jesus goes on an tells of time when judgment will come to the city and turmoil will reign. “…not a single stone will they leave in its place, because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you!” (Luke 19:44)

As we begin our journey through Holy Week, do you know what is needed for peace? Will you miss it? The people thought they knew what they needed. But as Dick Forth said today in his message at Timberline Church, “the people thought Jesus came for revolution, but instead He came for revelation.”  He came to be the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He came to bring inner peace to human hearts, not a forced outward peace from a position of political power. He comes as Savior-King, worthy of our worship and the surrender of our lives. He comes so that we can accomplish His purpose, not to fulfill our plans or purpose we have for Him.

Jesus came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, being hailed as King. We often call it the “triumphal entry.” But the concept of “triumph” in Jesus day was a victory parade for a conquering King. That day….is still ahead. It is one John saw in a vision on the Isle of Patmos.

“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war…. on his head were many crowns….and his title was the Word of God….On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

Allow the revelation of who Jesus Christ is from Palm Sunday two thousand years ago, to today, to what will be one day, to grip your heart during this Holy Week.

Today, I attended a “mini-retreat” with the Larimer County Republicans. It actually ended up being a good meeting and really was an interesting “test” of my endurance. This was the longest single meeting that I have attended in my recovery process. I was pleased that I ended the day feeling as good and refreshed as I did.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… His servants went up to him [Naaman] and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, you would have done it. Now why can’t you just wash yourself, as he said, and be cured?”  So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child…[Naaman] said, “Now I know that there is no god but the God of Israel….”  2 Kings 5:13,14

The story of the healing of Naaman the Syrian of leprosy is has some unique characteristics. Naaman was a military commander of the Syrian’s, Israel’s enemy. An Israelite girl, who had been taken captive was the servant to Naaman’s wife. Even though she was captive in a foreign land she still knew and believed in a God who did miracles. She told Naaman’s wife about the Lord’s prophet and a powerful God of miracles.

When Naaman approaches the prophet Elisha’s house, Elisha doesn’t even come out. He sent his servant to meet the dignitary and tell him to wash seven times in the River Jordan. This doesn’t meet Naaman’s expectations and he is upset by the instructions. His servant intervenes and pleads with him to do something that seemed very humiliating. When Naaman consented he received a miracle of healing.

When I look at this familiar account I am reminded that…

God uses us in our unlikely circumstances. This servant girl was far from home, captive in a foreign land. Yet she did not lose her faith and was bold enough and had compassion enough on her ungodly master to direct him to the  source of help that she knew he needed. Sometimes the Lord uses us just to “nudge” people in the right direction. This miracles would not have taken place if this servant girl had remained silent. It all started with her.

God works outside of our expectations. Naaman had to have been insulted that the prophet did not personally come out to greet him. Not only that, he expected the prophet to come out and wave his arms and offer a prayer in order for him to be healed. This idea of dipping seven times in a river in Israel was not what he expected to take place. His initial response to taking offense at the prophet’s instructions almost robbed him of a miracle.

God delights in simplicity and obedience. Naaman’s servant’s responded to their master with reminding him that if he was instructed to do something great he would have….so why not something so simple. This reminds me of some people and their hesitation to just “believe and be saved.” It seems so simple, that many balk at receiving the greatest miracle ever. Naaman wasn’t excited about the Jordan River either. He felt the rivers of his own country were far better. Why couldn’t he go home and just wash in one of those? Once again, we can get stuck in trying to figure out the “why” that it keeps us from just “doing” – responding in obedience.

God intervenes in lives to change lives. Naaman received new skin and a new God. He realized that the Lord God of Israel was the true God. Elisha would not accept Naaman’s gifts, but Naaman asked to take dirt from Israel back to Syria to build a place of sacrifice to the Lord God. I am confident that the Lord saw the sincerity of Naaman’s heart. He didn’t take time (as far as we know) to get instructions on the law of Moses and the rituals for sacrifices. He didn’t realize that only priests were to offer sacrifices. He just knew that the Lord God was the One he wanted to worship, even in a pagan land.

Accounts like this can challenge our understanding of how God works and in whom He works and who He uses in the process. God can use you. It may be just “nudging” someone toward a miracle. Then remember God works outside of our expectations. It is faith and obedience that brings the miracle. Finally, God is faithful to work “on us and in us.” Encounters with the Lord of miracles are to make us aware of who He is and to result in our lives being committed to Him with all of our heart.

To I be joined some of the seniors from Timberline for breakfast at Perkins. It is an enjoyable group lead my Becky Wickstrom. Becky who leads this event spent about 40 years with her husband Lynn in Children’s ministry. I told her that was good preparation for keeping seniors entertained.

This has been a little busier week for me and one that I have noticed some more fatigue than last week. It is probably just the ebb and flow of activity, exertion and some of the healing process that is still taking place in my body. I am glad that I got back for the fitness center for a two hour workout. That may be one of the reasons, I sleep well at night.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I was the one who brought famine to all your cities, yet you did not come back to me. I kept it from raining when your crops needed it most….there was not enough to drink. Still you did not come back to me. “I sent a scorching wind to dry up your crops. The locusts ate up all your gardens and vineyards, your fig trees and olive trees. Still you did not come back to me. I sent a plague on you like the one I sent on Egypt. I killed your young men in battle….Still you did not come back to me. I destroyed some of you as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah….Still you did not come back to me,” says the Lord. Amos 4:6-11

We know that God is patient  and that “His mercy endures forever.” But as an expression of His patience and mercy He provides that opportunity to repentance before final judgment. How does God speak and attempt to get our attention?

It can be in a variety of ways. In the Old Testament God spoke through His prophets who sounded warnings and called people to repentance. Today, we have God’s written Word that is able to “correct, instruct and convict.” God speaks to us through our conscious. Everyone has a sense of right and wrong to some degree. We see that God can speak through events.

For God’s people, He was very specific about the “blessings” for obedience and “curses” for disobedience. (see Deuteronomy 11) The Lord let His people know, when the rains doesn’t come ad the crops fail and your enemies are winning and life is on a downward trek, it’s time to turn to me. This is what we see in the words of the prophet Amos.

The Lord through Amos gives a litany of ways that He tried to get Israel’s attention, but they “did not come to me” said the Lord. In many ways over the course of time, the Lord attempted to get the attention of His people, but they did not get the message. They did not turn to the Lord and seek Him. The result was judgment from the Lord.

What about today? Does God speak through events and natural disasters? I recall in my early days on a school board, I would point out (tongue-in-check) how the tendency is to refer to natural disasters as “an act of God” whereas if something good happened, it was just “happenstance.”

What is interesting in that commonly accepted colloquialism, if God is “acting” is there a message for us? It is important to be careful here. We live in a day when it is easy to go overboard and look at any significant storm or natural disaster or event and view it as “judgment from God.” It is easy for people to look at tragic events in individual lives and blame it on “sin.”

At the same time, it is clear the judgments in Revelation are intended to communicate a message to people. “The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (Rev. 9:20-21)

I would simply propose that we keep our hearts open to the Lord; seek Him and His wisdom and be consistent in the examination of our own lives and what is happening in the culture around us. Those who are Christ-followers have an obligation to intercede (stand in the gap) for others and our nation. To be those who don’t stand in judgment, but kneel in prayer.

As one who found himself literally flat on his back for several months, I can assure it was a time of soul searching, submitting my life to the Lord and personal examination. We can certainly allow the Lord to use the events of life to draw us closer to Him and realign any misplaced priorities.

Finally, remember judgment is also an expression of God’s mercy. The well-loved verse of Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“ What we often forget is these words were spoken by the prophet Jeremiah as God’s people were preparing for 70 years of captivity.

However, the Lord may speak to us personally or collectively today, let’s not miss the message or the opportunity to draw closer to Him.

I had an enjoyable day. I went to a minister’s luncheon with Pastor Steve and was able to connect with several friends once again. I needed to go to the fitness center to work off my barbecue lunch, but gave in to “food coma” and took a nap.

Later this afternoon I had a meeting with CSU President Tony Frank concerning some campus ministry issues. It was a good conversation and I appreciated his openness and receptivity to my concerns.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  The Lord said to him [Jonah], “This plant grew up in one night and disappeared the next; you didn’t do anything for it and you didn’t make it grow—yet you feel sorry for it! How much more, then, should I have pity on Nineveh, that great city….”  Jonah 4:10-11

I was reading the Book of Jonah this morning and then I noticed an interesting FaceBook post from a friend. She said her little girl was being punished and was laying next to her. The little girl said, “I’m just like Jonah, I disobeyed, but now I am ready to be good and obey.”

Jonah had a difficult time “getting on the same page” as God. But God was insistent on using Jonah and teaching him and us today an important lesson. God sent him to Nineveh the capital city of their arch-enemy. Jonah would rather have God judge them, then to call them to repentance. He was running as far away from Nineveh as he could get and then got an express return trip via a big fish to the shores of Nineveh.

In Jonah’s prayer he recognizes that he had been brought back to life from death. (Jonah 2:6,7) And then affirms as it were his prophetic call and purpose. “But I will sing praises to you; I will offer you a sacrifice and do what I have promised. Salvation comes from the Lord!” (Jonah 2:9)

Jonah preaches, the people repent and Jonah is upset. Jonah was waiting for God’s judgment to come but instead God was merciful in response to the people’s repentance from the King to the paupers. It is interesting that Jonah’s anger stems from the consistency of God’s character. “That’s why I did my best to run away to Spain! I knew that you are a loving and merciful God, always patient, always kind, and always ready to change your mind and not punish.” (Jonah 4:2)

What is noteworthy in the story of Jonah is God’s concern for all people. His love and mercy is just not extended to “His people” but all people. He is the Lord of all the earth. I was reading the first three chapters of Amos and noticed the Lord’s judgment being spoken against the nations of the day. There may be many “gods” but there is only one “Lord God” of all the earth.

We can also see that our understanding of God’s plan and purpose is often far different from God’s. It is interesting that Jonah did not call people to repentance, he just pronounced judgment. In response to impending judgment, the people fasted and mourned. God responded and stayed His hand of judgment.

Jonah realized in the belly of the fish, he had been brought back from death to life, that salvation comes from the Lord and that is what happen to the people of Nineveh; that is what happens to us when we turn to the Lord.

Who do you relate to in the story of Jonah? Like Jonah, do you question and become upset when God does or does not do some things that you expect. You will always find Him true to His character.

Do you relate to the people of Nineveh? Perhaps you feel too distant, too removed from the Lord, and forgotten by Him. Psalms declares, “a broken and contrite heart  you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) The Lord stands ready to extend forgiveness, grace and mercy to those who ask for it.

I spent most of my day in Lakewood. I had a lunch with John Andrews, Founder of the Centennial Institute. I also was able to visit with CCU President Bill Armstrong. President Armstrong reported that he and his Cabinet have consistently prayed for me over the past almost two years.

Both of these men represent distinguished careers in public service. President Armstrong has served with distinction as the President of Colorado Christian University. Before that he served in the U.S. Senate the the U.S. Congress. John Andrews began his political career at as speech writer to President Nixon and eventually served as the President of the Colorado Senate. He was the Founder of the Independence Institute and the Centennial Institute two of the foremost political think tanks upholding the principles of liberty and freedom.

I also had the opportunity to make a “pastoral visit.” Vila Mae Byram is 93 and not only attended the church I pastored in Lakewood, but is among a special and declining group that have know me since I was a child. It just proves that one of those little munchkins running around the church may very well be  your pastor one day!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove now that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant and have done all this at your command.  Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God and that you are bringing them back to yourself.”                                 1 Kings 18:36,37

These verses above are from the prayer of Elijah as he challenged the pagan prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The contest involved altars with sacrifices on them and “the god who answered by fire” was the true God.

The host of the prophets of Baal had danced, chanted, cried out and even cut themselves to no avail. After hours of their pagan rituals, Elijah rebuilds a broken down altar with twelve stones and lays out the sacrifice on the wood and then asked for the sacrifice and altar to be soaked with water.

Elijah prays a two sentence prayer and a fire comes from heaven that incinerates the altar: sacrifice, wood, stone, water…all gone! The people bow and declare, “the Lord, He is God!”

Elijah’s prayer was answered. Elijah did not pray for fire from heaven. He prayed that the Lord would reveal Himself as “the God” of the patriarch’s, that Elijah would be revealed as an obedient servant and that God’s people would return to Him.

Prayer can be a mystery. It is important for us to realize that prayer needs to be a consistent part of our lives. Jesus, “go up early in the morning to pray.” (Mark 1:35) He asked His disciples in the garden, “could not you watch [pray] with me for one hour?!” (Matt. 26:40) We need to realize the habit of our time in God’s Word and in prayer strengthens our faith and fellowship with the Lord. At the same time we need to make sure that we don’t fall the practice Jesus warned about when He said, “…in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matt. 6:7)

Our prayers must be prayers in faith that focus on the character of God and rely upon the Lord to act as He chooses to reveal Himself and to work as is needed. In Elijah’s situation God answered in a more powerful way than he could have asked. Do our prayers at time limit God, because we “tell God how to act?” Just a thought for you to consider.

I also think of some of the words of David’s “prayer” actually declaration, as he faced Goliath. “….I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Israelite armies, which you have defied. This very day the Lord will put you in my power….Then the whole world will know that Israel has a God….“ (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

I think of Jesus prayer as just before He raised Lazarus from the dead. “I thank you, Father, that you listen to me.  I know that you always listen to me, but I say this for the sake of the people here, so that they will believe that you sent me.” (John 11:40-44)

Did Jesus need to pray before raising Lazarus? I don’t think so, but what we do see in His prayer is like Elijah of old He asked the Father to use this miracle to affirm God’s power and Jesus as the Messiah sent from God.

I believe God still answers prayer powerfully. Perhaps it is not “powerful prayers” as much as “powerfully answers prayers.” What paves the way for powerful answers to prayer? Prayers made in faith and obedience. Prayers that allow the Lord to reveal Himself in His fulness, in His way. Prayers that pave the way for God to be magnified and people’s hearts turned to Him.