Jesus Can Do What I Can Not

Our prayers should never be separated from our time in God’s word. In fact, they are dependent on it.

Reading it, studying it. These are two different types of activities. Bible reading is like having the Word wash over your mind and heart. Bible study is like having the word find a home in your thinking and doing. Both are necessary for a healthy prayer life. 

As usual, I begin the year reading through a gospel. This morning I found myself pondering Mark 5 where Jesus heals a man with a legion of demons in him. The townspeople were unable to effect any change in him. What controlled him was beyond their ability to control. 

Until Jesus came. 

The demons feared Jesus. The townspeople feared Jesus. The man who was healed loved Jesus.

There is a fear that is healthy -  humble awareness of what is exceedingly greater than us that captivates our hearts. Such a fear causes us to want to be near what is feared.  

So I prayed:

Oh that my fear of Your power, marvels and mercy would humble me,

cause me to run to you and motivate me to proclaim your glory!

Immersed in this fresh truth, I turned in my journal to pray for unbelieving family members and friends. And I found my prayers entwined with the story in Mark.

“Have pity, Lord. They are entrapped in chains they can not break. I can do nothing for them. I can not change their hearts and minds. I can not save them. You can. In your mercy, set them free. Deliver them from the domain of darkness, (Col. 1:13)  Call them into your marvelous light that they may proclaim your excellencies (1 Peter 2:9) and tell of all that you have done for them. (Mark 5:20).