Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Nov 2, 2007 22:51:03 GMT -5
PRAYERFUL WAITING
by Max Lucado
“They all met together continually for prayer.” Mark uses the same
Greek word here translated “continually” to describe a boat
floating in the water, waiting on Jesus. The Master, speaking on the beach of
Galilee, told the disciples to have a boat ready and waiting (Mark
3:9). The boat was “continually” in the presence of Christ. So are the
Upper Room disciples. One day passes. Then two. Then a week. For all
they know a hundred more will come and go. But they aren’t leaving.
They persist in the presence of Christ.
The followers were willing to do one thing: wait in the right place for
power.
We’re so reluctant to do what they did. Who has time to wait? We
groan at such a thought. But waiting doesn’t mean inactivity—rather
in-HIM-activity. Waiting means watching for him. If you are waiting on a
bus, you are watching for the bus. If you are waiting on God, you are
watching for God, searching for God, hoping in God. Great promises come to
those who do. “But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.
They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow
weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).
To those who still struggle, God says, “Wait on me.” And wait in
the right place. Jesus doesn’t tell us to stay in Jerusalem, but he
does tell us to stay honest, stay faithful, stay true.
Desire power for your life?
It will come as you pray. For ten days the disciples prayed. Ten days
of prayer plus a few minutes of preaching led to three thousand saved
souls. Perhaps we invert the numbers. We’re prone to pray for a few
minutes and preach for ten days. Not the apostles. Like the boat waiting
for Christ, they lingered in his presence. They never left the place of
prayer.
________________________
From Come Thirsty
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2004) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com
by Max Lucado
“They all met together continually for prayer.” Mark uses the same
Greek word here translated “continually” to describe a boat
floating in the water, waiting on Jesus. The Master, speaking on the beach of
Galilee, told the disciples to have a boat ready and waiting (Mark
3:9). The boat was “continually” in the presence of Christ. So are the
Upper Room disciples. One day passes. Then two. Then a week. For all
they know a hundred more will come and go. But they aren’t leaving.
They persist in the presence of Christ.
The followers were willing to do one thing: wait in the right place for
power.
We’re so reluctant to do what they did. Who has time to wait? We
groan at such a thought. But waiting doesn’t mean inactivity—rather
in-HIM-activity. Waiting means watching for him. If you are waiting on a
bus, you are watching for the bus. If you are waiting on God, you are
watching for God, searching for God, hoping in God. Great promises come to
those who do. “But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.
They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow
weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).
To those who still struggle, God says, “Wait on me.” And wait in
the right place. Jesus doesn’t tell us to stay in Jerusalem, but he
does tell us to stay honest, stay faithful, stay true.
Desire power for your life?
It will come as you pray. For ten days the disciples prayed. Ten days
of prayer plus a few minutes of preaching led to three thousand saved
souls. Perhaps we invert the numbers. We’re prone to pray for a few
minutes and preach for ten days. Not the apostles. Like the boat waiting
for Christ, they lingered in his presence. They never left the place of
prayer.
________________________
From Come Thirsty
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2004) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com