Rhythms of grace

Rhythms of Grace

‘He stopped taking my calls . . .’

From the father’s perspective, the son asks the impossible. For The Firm to work like a smooth-running engine, this is how things are. ‘But,’ the son persists, ‘I need to do this for my family.’ Faced with two conflicting needs – royal convention and his son’s need – the father seized up with indecision. Wearied by unresolved conflict, when informed, ‘There’s a call for you Sir,’ it is one he does not wish to take.

Over the past year, for almost all of us, and because of great need, our involvement in intercessory prayer has increased more than ever before. How prayer works remains a mystery to me. So-called ‘biblical formulas’ provide only a glimpse of understanding, and with good reason – we are trying to understand the mind of God.

When Jesus was in Gethsemane He prayed the same payer three times. ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’ (26:39, ESV). In those fearful and excruciating moments, did He ever wonder if the Father had stopped taking His calls?

His words, ‘Not as I will, but as you will,’ remain for us the most difficult to accept in our lives – things happen, unwelcome interruptions. As His fear was real, physically, emotionally and spiritually, so is ours.

But here is what I do know and believe with rock-solid certainty:

‘Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him’ (Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 100).

The Father will always take our call.