Sunday Shorts: Anxious Prayers

Sunday shorts: Anxious Prayers

Mark 4:38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (NIV)

            Sometimes I get frustrated with God, especially when my prayers of concern take a while to be answered. I’m usually a patient person, but when I get anxious, I can’t help feeling that God is either ignoring me or doesn’t understand the situation. I can remember years ago, when a church staff member created an almighty conflict in the congregation I served, how vexed I was because I was being falsely blamed for their misconduct. I repeatedly prayed to God to deal with the situation and make others understand the truth. I even spelled out to God how to do it and wondered if He really cared about what I was unjustly enduring. Eventually, it was positively resolved, but I still carry some pain from that unsettling time.

            I hear the same anxiety and frustration in the voices of the disciples who are caught in a terrifying storm as they try to cross Lake Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). While the waves are violently crashing against the boat and the wind is fiercely howling, they are terrified about losing their lives. Meanwhile, Jesus is sleeping soundly at the boat’s stern, resting on top of a cushion. The disciples can’t believe that He is so totally unaware of their predicament and so they anxiously shout at Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

            Christ awakes from His deep sleep and responds to their pleas by stilling the storm. The wind and waves become calm; the situation is dealt with; they can now resume crossing over to the other side. Jesus probably went back to sleep again, leaving His disciples no longer anxious, but completely bewildered. They now ask themselves, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

            Perhaps you’re presently anxious about something beyond your control. Maybe you’re also waiting for God to answer your prayers of concern. It may take time to be accomplished, but please know this: God hears your prayers and knows what needs to be done.

Point to ponder: What currently concerns me? How am I asking God for help?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about our lives, especially the situations and worries that we presently endure. Please help us to remain faithful to You as we hand over all our anxious concerns and deepest issues. Calm the storms in our lives and enable us to continue our journey with You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Short devotion: Unworthy - Luke 12:6-7

 

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (NIV)

A couple of times this week, I’ve had friends confess to me about how unworthy they feel to be loved by God. It bothers them greatly and hinders them from coming back to church. They genuinely feel that because Covid has isolated them from coming regularly to the sanctuary to worship on Sundays, they have somehow disappointed and failed God. They seem to think that this unworthiness has separated them from both the worship community and the Lord Himself.

This is very hard to bear, and I can remember going through a similar time when I strayed away from the church. The feeling of unworthiness creates a barrier and forms a shell of shame around your spirit. It’s difficult to break through and overcome; it’s also one of the best weapons that the devil uses to keep people away from God.

The good news is this: we are all unworthy to be loved by God and yet, despite what we feel, God still values us as His children and His Son’s servants. This is why Jesus told His people not to worry about their lives or be anxious about their unworthiness. God valued them greatly and loved them deeply, so deeply, in fact, that God sent His Son to die for unworthy people and restore them to God’s favor forever.

So, know this: we who are unworthy, are welcomed back by God to worship in Christ’s church, not because of who we are, but because of Who God is and what Jesus has done.

Q: What makes me feel unworthy of God’s love? How has Christ overcome this for me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are times when we feel that we have failed You and sometimes this stops us from worshiping with others. Help us to accept that we are all unworthy, but that we are also valued highly by God, Whose love for us never ends. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and thankfully pray. Amen.

 

Pastor John.

www.erinpres.org