Prayer can be an animated interaction with God over time. For example, the Book of Jonah begins and ends in conversation between Jonah and God and contains graphic animation in between. God asks Jonah to evangelize Nineveh. Jonah would rather see the people of Nineveh burn, and he basically says “no way!” Jonah flees from God and God’s request only to wind up in the belly of a large fish with some time to think it over. After three days and three nights, Jonah prayed (Jonah 2:6-9):
“While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord;
And my prayer came to Thee, into Thy holy temple.
Those who regard vain idols forsake their faithfulness,
But I will sacrifice to Thee with the voice of thanksgiving.
That which I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation is from the Lord.”
Prayer changed Jonah, and God commanded the fish to spit Jonah up onto dry land. This time Jonah went to Nineveh at God’s request. He still had a bad attitude with respect to compassion, but at least he was obedient.
Prayer changed the hearts of David, Daniel, Nehemiah and other biblical characters. Prayer changes our hearts today. Prayer moves things from our thought realm into our hearts and emotions. We can learn compassion through what we experience as we surrender our wills to God’s wishes. Prayer is interactive and part of the life process that God uses to weave His character and strength into our lives and transform us into the likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray continually.
By Harvey Dove
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment