Propitious Prayer: Assumptions

Our expedition continued this week in reviewing the James/Ephesians Bridge from past seasons:

In this image is a bridge with guardrails which are set in place by James 4:2 and James 4:3.  If our activity (prayer, in this study) falls within the guardrails, there is a wide open space where God can move beyond our imagination and wildest dreams (Ephesians 3:20).  Our discussion covered how we "might" try to stay within the rails by cautiously walking along the top, or, even hang on the outside, over the edge, thinking that God will honor His word.  As the world in which we live shows us, that type of "edginess" can be very problematic if not down right presumptuous.

We next moved into a deeper dive of Luke 18 by looking at the whole chapter and considering the various parables that Jesus used here.  The range of discovery covered such positives notes as "humility", "persistence", and "priorities".

When it comes to our action and reaction with our Heavenly Father, the imagery that Jesus uses is that of a child.  When we brainstormed some characteristics of being childlike, we came up with "simple", "trusting", "genuine/authentic", and "dependent".  In a comparison of being childish versus childlike, here is a review:

Childish	Childlike
Manipulate	Trust
Aladdin / Genie	Almighty God
Tantrums	Not afraid to ask "Why?"
"You must do ..."  or  "I want ..."	"May I?"  or  "Would you?"
From where I pretend to be	From where I am

We closed out with a brain buster ... at least for me.  When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and was praying (see Matthew 26:36ff, Mark 14:32ff, or Luke 22:39ff), He asked "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."  Actually, according to some of the accounts, Jesus asked this twice.  From my own learning and education, this was nothing new.  What blew my mind was a new concept.  First, Jesus exists Forever because He's God (John 10:30), He is chosen as the sacrificial ransom before creation (1 Peter 1:20), in and through Jesus all things are created (Colossians 1:16-17).  Second, Jesus knows all of this (He's God, He's the Lamb, He's the Creator) ... yet, He asks the Father if another way is possible - the answer is: NO!  There is NO other Way - Jesus is The Way, The Truth, The Life and no one comes to the Father, except through Him (John 14:6).  In other words, Jesus prayed to change something that He Himself had decided from before creation.  Even though Jesus knew the answer, He prayed for a different course to be taken.  BUT, always with the acknowledgement of the will of the Father.  We'll be digging into this more!!!