Prayers

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For some time now my wife, Vicki, and I have been considering the purchase of a set of the new energy efficient washer and dryer. So, about a month ago, with the coaxing of the tax free weekend for energy efficient appliances, we took the plunge. Then the problem became what to do with our previous washer and dryer. While they were of an older model they still had a lot of life in them and we believed they could help out some family. Vicki and I have lived our married lives practicing Luke 6:38; we believe that giving has brought us through "many dangers, toils, and snares." So, we were not wanting to sell them. We just wanted to find someone to bless.

We made a few calls but no one knew of anyone needing a washer and dryer. That's when I came up with the idea of placing a post on Facebook in hopes of finding a home for these appliances. The post simply read: If you know someone who needs a washer and dryer please have them contact me.

Within thirty minutes I had two responses. One read." What kind?"

The second simply said, "WE DO!"

A few days later I was thinking about this event and realized that is the way many people respond to God and prayer. They want to know the make and model of the blessing God is providing rather than coming with desperation and being willing to receive. Isaiah gave the call to all who thirst, to come to the waters; and for those who have no money come buy. ( cf. Isaiah 55:1) However, I am afraid that we are living in a generation where rather than quenching thirst the recipients would first want to know:

Is it tap or bottled water?

Is it imported or domestic?

Spring, Mineral, Purified, Artesian, or Sparkling?

What is the filtration method used?

Was it purified using reverse osmosis?

Search the Bible, the great miracles were not based on a condition set by the recipient, they were the result of the desperation of the recipient.

For example, the Woman with the issue of blood was not concerned about the fabric content of hem of Jesus' garment. The question was never asked by her, "Is this garment a pure fiber or a blend; cotton or wool? I have allergies and must be careful of what I touch."

She was desperate for her healing and no conditions were placed on what she would touch and would not touch. She simply lunged in desperation toward Jesus and was healed. (cf. Matthew 9:20; Mark 5:25; Luke 8:44)

Or, consider Hezekiah who was at the point of death and had already prayed his final prayer. (cf. Isaiah 38) Isaiah told the servants to place a poultice of figs upon the boil and he would recover. I really cannot imaging Hezekiah asking the servants, "Where did you get the figs? Are they organic? Are they green, yellow, or black? Caprifig, Smyrnas, or San Pedros?"

He was desperate for his healing. The varietal, color, or origin of the figs mattered not. What mattered was his life and he was willing to do or have done anything to him in order to keep it.

Every day I receive prayer requests. Most of them are very specific. I often feel that if God does not choose to answer the prayer in exactly the manner that it is asked by the petitioner, recipient of the blessing will feel slighted by God and accuse Him of not being a proper "God." The church today is filled with Naaman Christians. (See 2 Kings 5) They want a miracle or blessing from God, but, only on their conditions. Anything less is unacceptable and beneath them.

Personally, I think God honors those prayers of desperate people who are willing to let God be God and believe He knows what is best and He will always do what is best for His children. For instance, I have a friend who has recently taken a small church in Midland, Texas. They are in grave need of a Pianist--He is desperate enough he would even take me. When he asked our church to join in prayer with him in the matter he did not place qualifiers regarding the proficiency or talent level of the pianist. He just wrote, "Our prayer request is that the Lord would not only send us souls but one that plays the piano. Our song service needs some help." When I lasted checked that person had not yet arrived…but, they will. God hears prayers of desperation. Consider the Canaanite mother who came to Jesus to heal her daughter. When Jesus told her He had not come to the Gentile world but to "the lost sheep of Israel" she poured out her desperation and cried, "yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." (Matthew 15:27, KJV)

Jesus answered, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt." (v28) What He was saying was, "You are desperate, I hear you."

The next time you are needing a miracle from God listen to your prayer. Are you hearing the prayer of someone seeking to control and manipulate God, or is it a prayer of desperation? A prayer that is comparison shopping, or willing to trust God?

By the way, I don't think I need to tell you to whom we gave the washer and dryer. Desperation gets heard. Pray Desperate.

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