Prayer To Be Less Wishy Washy
In spite of all the good that Jesus did and all the people He healed and helped, people were pretty fickle in their support of Him and their commitment to Him. One day they would enthusiastically trust and follow Him and then when a challenge came, they would desert or disown Him.
Listen to these words from John's Gospel:
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
John 2:23-25
These days during the pandemic we are great at doing things for a short while, staying in for a few days, doing things from a distance, just living with gratitude for the day and not worrying too much about the future. But then somehow thoughts seep in and circumstances change a bit. News comes across the television that paints a bleak picture in a particular area - before we know it we're living in the fear and frustration that isn't very helpful. For a while we prayed more and read our Bibles more because we had time to do it. But how quickly we leave those things behind as other things that get our attention come back on the horizon.
We all want to think the best of ourselves and our ability to see things through even when the going gets tough but how weak we are and how easily we stumble - at least that's my experience and I think it's probably the experience of many more of us. What I find so very kind about Jesus is that even though He knows us and all the weakness of our hearts and our commitment to Him, he doesn't abandon us. How do I know this?
Years later when Jesus' disciple John is again writing things Jesus has done and shown Him, John writes about a message God is giving to weak uncommitted believes in a city named Laodicea. On the one hand God is direct in showing that He hates their wishy-washy ways but then in the next breath He is offering them Himself, His presence and His power to overcome.
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:14-16, 20-21
Let’s respond to this in prayer:
Well Heavenly Father, it’s pretty clear that we are not the most reliable lot. You, know what’s in our hearts knows. Forgive us for the way we waffle under pressure when times get tough. Forgive us for how easily we allow ourselves to be taken off track by things that bring us pleasure or are convenient in the moment rather than sticking with the program that we’ve sorted out with You for the day or the season. We’re so influenced by society around us and our lifestyles of distraction and way too easily we swing back into familiar ways that have You second or third or fourth priority rather than front and center.
We’re too quiet at the times we should be standing up and saying what’s true and good even if it were to make us unpopular. We’re too blustery and noisy when we want our own way about something or feel our rights have been trampled on in some way rather than choosing the way of humility and service You put before us – not that we allow ourselves to be beaten down for the sake of being beaten down, but we fail to check with You about what we should put up with and let go and what we should address.
We’re not hot. We’re not cold. We know you are around and we know it’s a good thing to fit you into our lives when it works. We just don’t make all that much of an effort to hold fast to You as our #1 heart’s desire. You are attentive to our needs and committed to our good and actively praying and acting on our behalf. I wish I could say we treated You with the same respect and loyalty.
Lord, help us to hear your voice asking for entry into our everyday daily living today – you are – as the words and the picture show us – standing at the doorway of our life, longing to come and share our day and all the events, all the reactions to the day, the frustrations, the hopes the dreams with us. You want to help us overcome every challenge and be prepared for every test. You know what we really need. You are ready and waiting and willing to really be there for us.
Today we want to take another step and grow up. We want to live firmly rooted in Your love and have our daily thoughts and routines built up with You, established in trust in your goodness, and overflowing with gratitude. Help us be people You can trust. Amen
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6-7
Recent Hope For Today
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.