The effective prayer of a righteous man can
accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed
earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three
years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the
earth produced its fruit. James 5:16b-18 NASB
I fought so many
fears while our son was deployed to the Middle East. Probably the greatest was
that somehow my prayers wouldn’t be enough to keep him safe. I remember one
night in particular. I awoke from an unknown dream, screaming in my mind. I was
drenched with sweat and had tears running down my cheeks. I couldn’t remember
the dream—only the terror, that horrible feeling of helplessness. I looked over
and saw 2:52am blinking on the clock. I could hear my husband’s soft snores and
they reassured me I hadn’t disturbed him. Too often he lost sleep because of my
fears.
I knew sleep
wouldn’t return anytime soon, so I grabbed my Bible and once again headed
downstairs. I settled into my chair in the den and began to thumb through the
pages, searching for comfort. I tried to focus enough to pray for my son, but
my prayers seemed common, not good enough to inspire God to go great lengths to
keep him safe.
In my page turning,
I found myself reading these verses in James. As I read I felt even worse. Did
I have to be Elijah to pray effectively? I would never consider myself in the
same category of righteousness as him. Even more discouraged I thought about
these verses. As I did, God brought something to mind that I’d never
considered. I remembered that early on in Israel’s history God had warned them
that if they didn’t obey Him, He’d withhold blessings, specifically the
blessing of rain. I felt hope begin to blossom. I immediately turned to
Deuteronomy 11 and there it was—God’s warning that He would shut up the heavens
if they turned from Him.
Edie, I needed this this morning. Though it was about your fear of when your son was deployed, I applied it to my own life. I can pray Scripture over my situation as well. You helped me see that what I'm going through right now isn't impossible to overcome. It just feels that way at times. Thank you for this reminder. Love you precious friend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful reminder. I praise God my righteousness isn't dependent on my goodness, but on His grace!
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson for today, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Edie, for the beautiful reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me that God answers prayers based on His goodness and not mine.
ReplyDeleteLovely, and yes I needed this today as well. I cannot imagine what it feels like to have a son off like that, but I could relate to leaning on our Lord...my daughter, son in law and 3 year old grandson will be leaving at the end of July for two years as missionaries...I am learning the act of letting go and letting God!
ReplyDeleteI often feel my prayers are inadequate and fear they will not keep those I love safe...or help deliver them from severe trials. What pressure this puts on us until we realize, as you said, that God is faithful. It is His goodness, not ours.
ReplyDeleteRomans 8:26 gives me great comfort. "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words."
A beautiful post, Edie. I have no idea how parents of soldiers manage to keep breathing while they're away. I'm thankful I haven't been called to be in that club. But I've had other trials with my kids here on our home soil, and prayers seem so hollow at times. Until you realize Who you're praying to. His great power and huge heart change situations beyond our wildest imagination.
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