Friday, November 3, 2006

IDEA: Prayer can be as zesty as a good conversation with friends.

Do you have friends with whom you like to share robust conversation?

Is there an element in good conversation of argument that is not argumentative?

Is it possible that prayer would have that element?

I. Bible characters engaged in fairly confrontational prayers with God.

Abraham talks with God about Sodom and Gomorrah. God said He would destroy that wicked city. How does Abraham handle that?

When God calls Moses to direct His people, “I’m sending you to lead the people out,” how does Moses respond?

Job is called an example of faith by James, but in the book of Job he fights it out with God.

Sojourner Truth: When her son was ill, prayed in a gutsy way:

“Oh God, you know how much I am distressed, for I have told you again and again. Now God, help me get my son. If you were in trouble as I am, and I could help You, as You can me, you think I wouldn’t do it? Yes, God, you know I would do it.”

When she fell on hard times financially, she prayed:

“Oh God, you know I have no money, but You can make the people do for me and You MUST make the people do for me. I’ll never give You peace until You do, God.”

Doesn’t that sound like Moses when God said that He was fed up with the Israelites? He said He would wipe them out and start over again, starting with Moses. Moses knows that God can do exactly what He says. Moses rolls out the arguments: Look at all You went through delivering them from Egypt. What about Your reputation with the Egyptians? Don’t forget the promises You made to Abraham.

For 40 days and nights he lay prostrate before the Lord, refusing food and drink, and God relented.

CONCLUSION:  Moses spent all that time with God because he really believed that God was there and he was in the deepest, fullest sense, wrestling with God. And somehow God is pleased with people who take Him that seriously.