08.20.10
Small Group Hairs Worth Splitting V... Praying the List vs. Praying in Faith
Praying the List and Praying in Faith is not the same thing. In fact, many people in groups have begun to believe God doesn't answer prayer because their group has been praying the list rather than praying in faith.
Groups that are praying the list…
- add anyone and anything to the list that comes to mind
- don't pray believing, if the truth were known they pray doubting that God will respond
- spend more time making the list (and telling the stories of those they are adding to the list) than they do praying
- don't understand that they are conversing with God, they are simply completing another requirement on the list of small group meeting expectations
- do not always realize God is much wiser than they and when He doesn't respond as they had expected begin to doubt His love for them
- never find themselves begging God and weeping on behalf of someone else
Groups that are praying in faith…
- find themselves going to God on behalf of the people they know, love, and care deeply about
- pray believing God is going to respond and are anticipating His acting on their behalf
- spend their time crying out to God and are not concerned when the meeting goes long if they sense the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit
- understand that they are conversing with Almighty Holy God and come before Him humbly making requests of Him
- realize God is much wiser than they and when He doesn't respond as they had hoped understand His wisdom trumps their longing
- sometimes find themselves begging God and weeping on behalf of someone else
Other Posts in this Series:
Small Group Hairs Worth Splitting I... Recollecting vs. Reminiscing
Small Group Hairs Worth Splitting II... 90 Percent of the Story vs. The Full Story
Small Group Hairs Worth Splitting III... Advice Giving vs. Mining for Wisdom
Small Group Hairs Worth Splitting IV... Accepting Opinion as Truth vs. Seeking God's Truth
post a comment