You Only Pray When Nothing Else Works

I'd say that if you wait until you needed help before praying, you might be praying to late!

 

Hi John,

I showed this to my husband and asked him what he thought. He is from Adelaide and knows exactly what you are talking about. Here, from him:

This sort of attitude seems to be something ingrained within mankind -- the attitude of total self-sufficiency, without need for God or anyone else. This is the attitude of a proud heart, and sometimes God has to use drastic measures to bring us to the end of ourselves before we will acknowledge Him. His heart has become hardened through his criminal activities. He would have had to have hardened himself to God in the process, otherwise he would have listened to his conscience.

Contrast this with the attitude of the Lord Jesus Christ, as perfect man. He said, "I can of my ownself do nothing," and, again "The Son of Man can do nothing out from Himself."

This shows an entirely different attitude.

When he got to this point for you, he turned to me and said, "Let's pray," and so we did, for wisdom for you.

In Acts, Philip is told by the Holy Spirit to simply walk alongside the Ethiopian. In Romans 2, we are told that it is God's kindness that leads people to repentence.

So, John, there is nothing for you to SAY. There is a lot for you to do. Be kind. Be a friend. Be there when you can. If you are going to say anything, then make it something along the lines of, "I respect how you feel. I guess we all have a desire to be self-sufficient. But if there comes a time in your life when you are in a situation that your own self can't get you out of, please remember that Jesus is for real and is really God. He created you and loves you. It's up to you how you respond. But you can always call out to Him for help. He does respond."

But just be there, mostly, exhibiting Christ in you in your attitude and actions and let him ask questions if he likes. Even if he never asks another question, your witness will not be wasted. There is no waste in God's economy...

 

Someone on another forum (I think) either said or quoted "Saying all I can do is pray is like saying all I have are the oceans to put out this match." Something like that.
Handle it simple. The person who they think is the best is the one they want to be around the most, and the first they'll ask for help when they need to move a big load of hay. In spiritual matters, that person for us is God.
Gina

 

I like to think that I am self-sufficient, our culture ingrains that into us, and it is a good virtue. It helps us succeed here, and prosper, allows us to help our families as well.

 

It's NEVER too late to pray.

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.

 

Justin, no man is sufficient unto himself. We all depend on others. The trick is, which other or others are we going to depend on?

And when other men fail you, who then do you turn to for help? It is the best part of caring for your family to know where your foundation and help lie.

 

Contrast:


"Invictus" by Wm. E. Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced, nor cried aloud,
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade;
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"My Captain" by Dorothea Day

Out of the light that dazzles me,
Bright as the sun from pole to pole,
I thank the God I know to be
For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstance
I would not wince nor cry aloud.
Under the rule which men call chance
My head with joy, is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears,
That life with Him! and His the aid,
That spite the menace of the years,
Keeps, and shall keep me unafraid.

I have no fear though strait the gate;
He cleared from punishment the scroll.
Christ is the Master of my fate;
Christ is the Captain of my soul.



A servant of Christ,
Drew

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

[ December 24, 2002, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: Caretaker ]