Lessons in Prayer

Prayer is something we generally associate with desperation. We go through life saying, “I will depend upon my plans and my own resources.” However, at a moment of crisis and desperation – when I’ve run out of time and opportunity; when human strength and ingenuity has failed me; and all other options are exhausted, that’s the time I throw up a prayer –I toss God a Hail Mary and hope He will answer me this one time. John Ortberg in his book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, points out, “Desperate people pray. They pray without thinking about it; they pray even if they are not sure who they’re praying to or if anyone out there is listening at all. People in fox holes pray. So do people who go through divorce, have children that run away, or hear from a doc tor that the lab results are back, and it is not good news.” When one reaches their limit emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially, only then do they pray. The year 2020 was just that time of desperation for many people. With the heat of the elections barely in our rearview window, and the continued struggle with a worldwide pandemic still impacting our every step, we find ourselves living in a time of desperation. Each one of us has had to make difficult adjustments and unique sacrifices as we lead our families. By now, most of us know someone who has experienced the far-reaching impact of this virus and some of you reading this article have walked the rocky path of sickness and recovery yourselves.

Families have been separated, schools shut down, fellowship has been minimized, churches have been virtual, and businesses have closed. And with these desperate circumstances facing the majority of families in America, many have turned to prayer. Although prayer may have only formed on the lips of humanity due to desperate circumstances, praying is exactly what we need to be engaged in. This is one of the greatest lessons that I believe God has taught us this year. As He often does, God teaches the greatest of lessons in times of great difficulty. Being stripped of the activity and busyness of the previous year has taught us to slow down; it has forced us to deal with the many things that had taken priority over In Times of Crisis, God Teaches God in our lives, and it has driven us to be the men and women of prayer that we should have always been.

James tells us that the “effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much” (Jas 5:16). What he is reminding us of is that the power of God is activated by the prayers of His children. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing,” which is his way of challenging us to have a keen awareness of the presence of God in every moment of life–not just in those moments of crisis. Couple that with Jesus’ words encouraging us to “keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking” (Mt 7:7) and we understand that God desires us to come to Him in all things at all times. Not just when the going gets tough; not just when the chips are down; not just in moments of desperation–but at all times in all things come to God in prayer and do it persistently. This momentary time of affliction and difficulty we find ourselves in is a reminder that we are to be engaged in prayer. When Jonah was in the belly of the whale, he prayed. When Elijah was pursued by the armies of Queen Jezebel, he prayed. When Daniel was in the lion’s den, he prayed. God in His infinite wisdom has provided us with testimony after testimony of men and women who have cried out to Him during their personal crises for help, deliverance, strength, pro vision, and peace. And in every instance, He answered them. Moses, when speaking to Joshua, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit said, “Be strong and courageous…for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or for sake you…do not fear or be dismayed” (Dt 31:6-8). These are words to live by; and this is one valuable lesson that God is teaching me during this time of difficulty. Are we bringing all things to God in prayer? Where are we turning when difficulty arises? Whose plans are we trusting? Are we leading our families to a place of prayer and trust during this time? Are we calling on God’s people to come before Him in prayer? Have we learned this les son that God continues to teach us?

Lessons in Family Worship and Discipleship

On March 16, 2020 we found ourselves in unprecedented times as the local schools our boys attended closed. Shortly thereafter, churches in the state of Pennsylvania and all other ‘non-essential’ businesses followed suit. A life of activity, busyness, and assistance suddenly came to a screeching halt.

We strained to provide even the most basic necessities (such as food, toilet paper, etc.) of life. For the first time in a long time, we were motionless and stripped naked. What would we do? We abruptly found ourselves wearing the multiple hats of educators, mathematicians, historians, and spiritual leaders within our homes. We first turned to God in prayer. And then we began to sort out how we would provide for our boys and lead them in their education and spiritual development, which was to be our role as parents the entire time! Without even realizing it, this pandemic that slowed the world, caused us to evaluate our parenting, and grow in the areas of spiritual leadership and educational development. What a wonderful blessing in disguise. It was difficult, but the fruits were eternal.

Weekdays were filled with conversations and activities that helped us assess and educate our children. We were not prepared for it, but out of God’s abundance in grace we helped them with their homework and tests. Days were filled with questions and answers, conversations and laughter. It was truly a blessing to watch our children grow in wisdom and knowledge–and one we miss out due to the busyness of our schedules all too often. When Sunday came, church was now online. This meant that we were no longer able to bring our children to church and hand them over for others to disciple–we had to disciple them ourselves. This was what we as parents are to be doing, but all too often pass the task along to another. However, in God’s infinite wisdom and divine plan He forced us to be the spiritual leaders of our homes as we found ourselves leading in family discipleship and worship.

As I observed families across America over the past several months, my heart smiled seeing pictures and hearing testimonies of families worshipping God in their own living rooms, and parents engaged in discipling their own children. Scripture tells us that this is to be our main task in the family unit as parents. Ephesians 6:4 tells us to, “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 4:9 instructs us to, “make them (the words of the Lord) known to your sons and your grandsons.” Again, in Deuteronomy 11:18-20 Moses tells us, “You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Isaiah 38:19 says, “A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness.” And Joel 1:3 says, “Tell your sons about it, and let your sons tell their sons, and their sons to the next generation.” Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.” We, as parents, are to be invested in sharing the truths of God’s Word with our children. Scripture makes this clear. We are to surround and saturate our children in the living and active Word of God. This pandemic has refocused me toward that end. And I’m not alone. Although we long for the fellowship and encouragement received from gathering together in places of worship, let us remember that our homes should be where it all starts. May we say along with Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Jos 24:15). Who knows what the future days will hold? We may find ourselves far from the end when it comes to this pandemic. But while we continue to navigate our way through it, making decisions for our families, may we remember the lessons we have learned, the truths God has taught us during our time of difficulty. Go to God in prayer and trust His provision. Engage in the eternal pursuits of discipling your children through family worship. May we be found faithful.