Effective Faith Driven Bold Praying

In my Bible reading lately, I've been impressed with the way some of the "giants" of the faith prayed. They prayed big, faith-filled prayers. When I compare these prayers to the prayers prayed today, including mine, I find it humbling and disturbing!

Take the incident in 2 Kings 3. The Kings of Judah and Israel were invading Moab and ran into a problem: "So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom; and they made a circuit of seven days' journey, and there was no water for the army or for the cattle that followed them (verse 9) They were dire straits and Jehoshaphat the King of Judah had a great idea: "'Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?' And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, 'Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.'" (verse 11)

That response shows a measure of faith and Elisha shows much, much, more. Elisha has this to say after inquiring of God: "For thus says the LORD, 'You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts." (verse 17)

In other words they are going to experience a miracle. But, it is the next verse that really got me thinking. Elisha goes on to say "This is but a slight thing in the sight of the LORD; He will also give the Moabites into your hand." (verse 17) Elisha's comment "This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord" keeps coming back to me.

I started thinking about the things I am praying about. Those issues seem so overwhelming and in a way unsolvable. I realized that they are not that big compared to getting enough water for all those soldiers and animals in the desert.

Then I started thinking about my prayers. I thought I was praying well and actually kind of boldly. Reflecting on Elisha's challenge, I realized that I was actually praying on the timid and small side. I remembered a quote from Mark Galli in Christianity Today:
"I also have to consider this uncomfortable truth. Jesus did say, Truly, I say to you, whosoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:23-24).
I learned long ago (especially in seminary) how to water down Jesus' bold statements with scholarly nuances and rationalistic qualifications. Yet I know that how I think goes a long way in shaping how I live. One example from sports: I'm going to be a better hitter if I step up to the plate believing I can hit the pitch.
That's not just true in the little joys of life. I've worked with Christians even whose low self-confidence, manifold fears, and general negativity made it impossible for them to welcome the love of God fully into their lives."

I think Mr. Galli is absolutely right! We have learned to water down Jesus' instructions about faith and prayer. I know it is important to pray within God's will, but it is also important to pray with belief and that does include praying boldly!

We need to not only spend time in prayer, but also to take God at His word. We need to reflect on examples like Elisha. Then, like those kings and soldiers, we will see the trenches full of life-giving water!

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker May 2007



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