Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Garden (09/07/06)
-
TITLE: Irregular, Imperfect Mankind | Previous Challenge Entry
By Constance Gilbert
09/11/06 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I am eager to read Philip Yancey's newest book Prayer: Does It Make a Difference? because it is the desire of my heart, mind, and soul to be in close communion with God.
I already know, from personal experience, that prayer matters. (Those are stories for another day.) For now, we need to go back to the Garden of Eden to understand why praying makes a difference.
Genesis 1:26 reads "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over ...all the earth ..' " Later Psalm 115:16 reminds us that "The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man." The responsibility for the earth and all that takes place here is ours- imperfect humans.
In Intercessory Prayer: How God Can Use Your Prayers to Move Heaven and Earth the author, Dutch Sheets, writes "God clearly intends for humans to be the link to His authority and activity on the earth forever. This is why prayer is necessary." By His choice, God limited Himself to work through us. What a privilege to be co-workers with the Creator!
Sheets added "Even when the Lord Himself initiates something and earnestly desires to do it, He needs us to ask."
That amazes me. God spoke and the world began. Then He hands His new world over to Adam, another new creation. After Adam and Eve are disobedient, causing to sin to enter the world, God bans them from the garden. Their authority over all the earth remains- God still believes in His creation, mankind.
It is apparent that mankind hasn't make good choices: pollution, animals on the endangered lists, crime, war, hunger, illiteracy, disease, and on the list goes. Yet, God still works through us. I believe the answer is in 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7& 9 where Paul says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field..."
Without prayer, we limit God. With prayer ... talking with Him ... our field can be fertile and bear fruit. I'd like mine to be full of wildflowers with brilliant rainbow colors, Lord, but if you'll provide the seeds, I'll plant, water, weed, and feed them. The harvest will be Yours; and I will be Your faithful servant.
* * *
Scripture from the NIV.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.