
Sometimes we feel helpless as we look at power in the world today. Nations testing other nations, each claiming superior force. Politicians exchanging influence for favors. Bosses barking out orders or withholding increases in pay. Authority, glory, and power are evident – but not for us it seems.
We don’t have to feel helpless because the Bible promises us power, Paul prayed for it for the Ephesian church, and Jesus promised it to his disciples. We can assume though, the kind of power Jesus and Paul were talking about isn’t very much like what we see in the world around us.
What does Christian, God-given power look like? I think Frank Laubach (missionary to India and Africa in the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s) had it right when he prayed for power this way:
“. . . power to see souls behind faces, power to pray for those I see outside this car window, power to ooze into or push into the inner souls of others with my prayer and carry Thee with me all the way to the center.”
I’m hungry for that kind of power, aren’t you? Power to have understanding of the hidden needs of those we meet, power to pray constantly, power to reach people at a heart level with the truth of God’s love and provision for them, power to change them for eternity.
Please, Lord, may my life be lived under the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit within me, for the good of those I touch, and for your great pleasure.
“If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon
Bev. I have no idea if you will get this message sent as a reply. But I will try. This is CK’s friend, Judy. I will send this message to CK, too, when she lands.
Your Power Hungry blog post really touched me. CK & I are praying for each other’s people who need to know Jesus. We each have a long list. And when one of us has a great opportunity, we share with each other, for prayer or for rejoicing. Today as I was pondering, I think I discovered the saddest verses in the Bible. Here they are.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
I’ve read this many times, can even quote it. But the truth of it has never stuck me like it did today. Jesus must be weeping over this. I know I am.
Keep blogging, Bev. You inspire me.
Many blessings. Judy Lind
On Wed, Oct 2, 2019, 4:33 AM Walking Together on Holy Ground wrote:
> beverlyvankampen posted: ” “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may > strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. . . ” – > Ephesians 3:16 Sometimes we feel helpless as we look at power in the world > today. Nations testing other nations, each ” >
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Judy – Thank you for introducing yourself and for your insightful comments. You obviously have a great heart for those who need to know our Lord. Thank you for your prayers, especially those shared with our mutual friend. – Bev
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