May 22 – “The Explanation for Our Difficulties” / “… that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us …” John 17:21. // Comment included.
“If you are going through a time of isolation, seemingly all alone, read John 17. It will explain exactly why you are where you are — because Jesus has prayed that you ‘may be one’ with the Father that He is. Are you helping God to answer that prayer, or do you have some other goal for you life? Since you became a disciple, you cannot be as independent as you used to be.
God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. Yet there is one prayer which God must answer, and that is the prayer of Jesus —‘… that they may be one just as We are one…’ (17:22). Are we as close to Jesus Christ as that?
God is not concerned about our plans; He doesn’t ask, ‘ Do you want to go through this loss of a loved one, this difficulty, or this defeat?’ No, He allows these things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either makings us sweeter, better , and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy. If we will pray, regarding our own lives, ‘Your will be done.’ (Matthew 26:42), then we will be encouraged and comforted by John 17, knowing that our Father is working according to His own wisdom, accomplishing what is best. When we understand God’s purpose, we will not become small-minded and cynical. Jesus prayed nothing less for us than absolute oneness with Himself, just as He was one with the Father. Some of us are far from this oneness; yet God will not leave us alone until we are one with Him — because Jesus prayed, “…that they all may be one ….’ “
Soli Deo Gloria!
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9)
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14: 13-14)
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”(John 15:7)
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9)
How can this be true? We have prayed for spiritual and/or physical healing for loved ones that died soon thereafter? Stay tuned. It is most certainly true!; Jesus does not have one unfilled promise, nor will He ever have… Look for another posting under the book tag: “Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools”, hopefully by the end of the day, but most certainly before eod Saturday, the 25th.