Please read Day 21 in “Why Pray?” then come on back and let’s discuss! Well, folks, it seems today is my day for raw honesty. I find myself really struggling with the stories in the book today. They just seem too…”perfect”. I’m pretty sure that isn’t going to be a popular statement, but it is honest. Thankfully, in my struggles today, Pastor has been very patient with me and reminded me that DeVries had to keep each chapter very concise, therefore he had to get a lot of “bang for his writing buck.”
The story of the earthquake that loosed the chains on Paul and Silas in Acts 16: 25-28, seems like one of those “too perfect” stories:
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
I have no trouble seeing that as a testimony to God’s power and willingness to come to His people’s rescue when they pray. Why then do I see today’s “Why Pray?” stories differently?? I think I fall into the trap of fear set by the Enemy. You know, the one that says, “God did miracles then (in Biblical times) but he won’t do them now because we don’t need them today.” I really struggle with that lie sometimes. Thing is, that ugly lie leaves no room for God’s Will in this world. Who am I to hamstring God with my unbelief?? God tells me to pray…to be obedient when it’s all I can do…so pray I will. I will do what only I can do. I will trust God to do what only God can do.
Jennifer