Let's Pray by Susan Barclay

Like this vice, circumstances can crush us

I’ve always believed in prayer,  though I haven’t always “put my  money where my mouth is.” That  is to say, even though I believe  prayer “works,” I’ve had seasons  where my prayer life has been dry or I’ve felt too busy to pray. Maybe you’ve had those seasons too. But the reality is, if we’re not on our knees now—when we don’t feel like it, when we already have a lot on our plates—we’ll be on our knees eventually. At some point, life is going to hand us something we can’t handle, something too big for us, something that may even have the power to crush us. And then, we’ll respond one of two ways: we’ll walk away from God or we’ll turn toward Him.

It’s been five years since our son informed us that he no longer believed in God or was sure that there was one. Three years since our daughter made a similar declaration. The last few years have also held various eldercare challenges with regard to my mom. Any thought of doing without a prayer life has gone out the proverbial window. Together and individually my husband and I have wept over our prodigals, cried out to God for their healing as well as for my mother’s, and cast all of our cares at His feet, knowing He cares for us (I Peter 5:7). I read a lot about prayer, I participate in prayer groups, but the most important thing I do is to actually spend time in God’s presence. 

Whether or not we think we need God, we do. Whether or not we think we need to pray, we do. The person who wants it the least, likely needs it the most.

God cares about wandering sheep and so should we

Other than feeling the world closing in, why pray? We pray because Jesus did and He’s our model for how to live. He prioritized prayer and left behind multitudes of people with needs both great and small to spend time with His Father. He got up early in the morning to be alone with Him. These hours were essential to His ministry. They filled His “cup.” It was during these conversations (talking and listening) and meditation periods that He received His instructions, wisdom, and guidance. It was in prayer that He was refreshed, renewed, and restored. If Jesus needed to pray, how much more do we?

Getting alone with God is the most important "thing" we can do

Jesus’s prayer times were so inspiring and anointed that the disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.

In Matthew 6, verses 9 to 13, we learn some things from what is commonly known as The Lord’s Prayer (TLP). First, prayer involves relationship. The very first line describes the connection between us and God: He’s our Father. In fact, this is what gives us the right, the authorization, to approach His throne of love, grace, mercy, and justice. He’s not a stranger, not an acquaintance, not someone we’ve heard about from someone else. We’re His kids, and He cares about us. He wants to us to come to Him; He wants to hear from us. He longs to give us good gifts, and He wants us to share what’s on our hearts. “You do not have because you do not ask,” says James 4:2. “Ask and you shall receive,” it says in several other places.

We also learn that we must come to prayer with the right attitude. “Hallowed be Your name,” Jesus says. We recognize that God is holy, He is pure, He is far above us in all of His ways. We approach Him boldly in the sense that He is our Father, but we also come humbly, knowing He is God, Creator of all things and vastly superior to us.

Because of who He is (omniscient, knowing what is best, seeing the big picture), we pray His will, not our own—“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (italics mine). The scriptures that advise us to ask God also talk about praying with right motives (James 4:3) and praying in agreement with God’s heart. Ours is not a prosperity gospel, seeking wealth, comfort, and ease. In John 16:33, Jesus assures us that in this world we will have trouble. Instead, we’re to seek God’s best, for every person, in every situation. “Rejoice always,” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us; “pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (vv. 17-18).

Some requests that line up with God’s heart are spelled out in TLP: praying for the meeting of physical needs (“daily bread.” Other examples might be shelter, rest, employment, even breath); praying for forgiveness of sin and for the ability to forgive others; and praying for protection and deliverance from evil. And of course, we can never go wrong when we pray for the salvation of others. It’s not God’s desire that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), but did it ever occur to you that their salvation may depend on prayer? I think of that sometimes when I pray for random people I pass on the street (a form of praying without ceasing). I may be the only person who has ever prayed for them. Won’t it be something if I meet them in heaven one day and discover they are there because of my prayer? It’s not impossible!

I invite you to join me in prayer today, worshipping our awesome God, seeking His wisdom and guidance, praying for the needs of others as well as your own. Don't wait for life to put you in its chokehold before beginning. Through the groups in which I participate, I bear witness to the power of the One to whom we pray. He is working, always working (John 5:17), and although His ways and timing are not according to our preferences, they are better than all we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). He turns our mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11) and puts a new song on our lips. Then many will see and revere and trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:3). Let it be so!

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For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

A New Thing by Susan Barclay

New life, from the ashes

This is certainly a very different spring than any we have experienced in our lifetimes. Don't you agree? Has there ever been a more apt moment to recall the words of Charles Dickens as he writes the opening to A Tale of Two Cities?:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Coronavirus, Covid-19, pandemic, plague. Call it what you want, it has certainly brought us to the threshold of a brand new world. I hesitate to call it brave, though there are certainly shining examples of bravery from our front-line workers, those who seek to bring health and wholeness to the sick, weak and vulnerable, those who are doing their part to maintain essential services, and those who are being called upon to lead and govern at such a time. 

There are among us those who declare we are at the beginning of the end, that these are the last days, that it won't be long now before we have a cashless society, a one-world government. While we don't know the day or the hour - and can't - God tells us in His Word to look at what is going on and recognize the seasons (see Luke 21:5-36). Even though we're not to set dates (we only look, and are, foolish when we try), we're not to be ignorant or stick our heads in the sand. We're to be ready when Jesus comes for His bride, at all times watching, waiting, and eager (see Luke 12).

I'll be honest. I don't know if we're on the cusp of the seven-year Tribulation or not. Psalm 90:4 and Peter 3:8 both say that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord. From personal experience and Bible stories we know that our God is patient and long-suffering. We also know that at some point the end of the world will come. God is faithful to His Word and He has said that things will not go on as they have forever. His plans will be accomplished; He will bring His original creation to a conclusion and make a new heaven and a new earth. All will be righteously judged.

Regardless of whether or not this world will continue for a short time or a long time, I believe there is little doubt among believers that God is doing a new thing. Some would say He is shaking the earth, trying to get people's attention. I wouldn't disagree with this assessment though there are people in my own household who still resist the good news and persist in rebellion. Thank God for those  whose eyes and hearts are turning toward Jesus. And may God continue the hidden work He is doing in my children, the evidence of which I cannot yet see... 

It's also possible that God is demonstrating His patience with us, that He is using this crisis not just to get our attention but to bring renewal to our planet. I have read, for example, that pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have decreased as a direct result of efforts to control the spread of the virus, and I imagine that wildlife populations are having a chance to return from the brink of extinction or endangerment, and that habitats are being restored. Perhaps God isn't bringing the world to an end just yet, but revitalizing it so there is more time for prodigals and unbelievers to be saved. After all, He doesn't desire that anyone should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He made us in His image; He loves and cares for us.

Father, thank You for keeping us safe under Your wings. Thank You for Your love for us. You never leave us nor forsake us. Since You are for us, who, or what, can be against us? Thank You for the new thing You are doing in the world even through this pandemic. We all want it to end and many of us are praying for that, but I can't help feeling that if it ends too soon, we may all just go back to our old untenable and unsustainable habits. So Your timing, Lord. Your perfect timing. Help us to change in the ways that we need to. Help us to follow Your ways.

We ask also, God, that You would be with those who are particularly vulnerable, those who have immune deficiencies, diabetes, asthma. Give them special protection. Be with those who are in quarantine or in places like nursing homes where they can't receive precious visits from family. Comfort them with Your presence and reassure them of Your love. Be with those on the front lines, those working to bring health and wholeness to the sick, those racing to find an antidote or a vaccine. Strengthen them, give them wisdom and insight, keep them in health and peace. Be with those who know You and soften the hearts of those who don't.

May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, Lord. Thank You that You are doing a new thing, whatever it is. Thank You that You are God and we are not. You are sovereign over all things, and all-wise. Thank You that we can trust You. Amen.
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You can find out more about Susan Barclay's writing at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

So This is Christmas by Susan Barclay

Last December Inscribe blogger Sharon Espeseth gave us a list of writing prompts. This month we've been challenged to develop one.

A friend recently gifted me a copy of Craig Groeschel's Hope in the Dark: Believing God is Good When Life is Not. I'm sure many readers have experienced the unexpected curveballs of life and can identify with the need to know that God hears and is trustworthy. For me, two of those curveballs are the prodigal wanderings of my young adult children.


 
So, this is Christmas this year. Jesus is no longer the reason for the season as far as my children are concerned. And while my daughter will probably always love the gift aspect, my son has come to despise the commercialism. My daughter has already sent me a list of gift suggestions; my son has simply said, "Make me something. Write a song, make some art." My daughter will probably send Christmas cards to her friends, and my son will probably create something for his girlfriend and the rest of us, but otherwise it seems that they don't care about anything - whether there's a tree or decorations, a Christmas Eve service, or a special meal shared with family. 

My husband and I have decided to make this Christmas what we want it to be. A friend and her husband celebrate the holiday with what they call "The Twelve Dates of Christmas." They've been doing this since early in their marriage and always kick off with St. Jacob's Sparkles. Some of their dates cost money, others don't. They try to serve in the community or bless others for at least two of their dates. I've known of their approach for a few years now and been wanting to replicate it. This seems like a good year to try. We need to focus on the joy of the season.

Several years ago I also heard about a 12 days of Secret Santa. In essence, you pick a recipient (preferably someone who is lonely or in need) and bless them over a 12-day period during the lead-up to Christmas. You make or buy small gifts, wrap, and deliver them without making your identity known. I plan to do that this year. We need to focus on the joy of giving without any expectation of  return.

My mom used to worry about our children being robbed of their "Christmas joy" - for example, if they didn't get to watch the Toronto Santa Claus parade on TV - but quite frankly, it's her joy I'm interested in seeing. Part of that involves putting up the Christmas tree, even if my husband and I have to do that alone. Part of it is sitting around the lit tree at night, enjoying the twinkling coloured lights and listening to Christmas carols. We'll watch It's a Wonderful Life; we'll attend a Christmas Eve service. Though we won't go hog-wild (and never have), there'll be packages under the tree to open on December 25th, and we'll cap the day with a lovely Christmas dinner where we use the "good" china. We need to focus on family.

Whether or not our children will listen or participate, we'll light the weekly advent candles, read the Christmas story, and thank God for His most indescribable gift. More than anything else, we need to focus on Him.

 2019 has been a challenging year, but as Groeschel says in his book, 

Jesus told us that even with just a speck of faith as tiny as a mustard seed, we can move mountains... And what if wanting to believe is enough? What if that tiny bit of barely noticeable faith is still pleasing to God? What if simply wanting to believe is the mustard seed of faith?

...do you realize that just a tiny bit of faith is actually extreme faith?

He loves you. He is for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will never let you down. He may not do exactly what you want. But he is always faithful, no matter how much your circumstances may seem to indicate otherwise... No matter what happens in your life, the Lord is in his holy temple.

My husband and I recently had the chance to attend Times Square Church in New York City, and heard a song we'd never heard before. I know it's not a Christmas carol, but I hope you find the joy and truth in it.

Have a blessed Christmas.
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You can find out more about Susan Barclay's writing at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com

God Is With Us by Susan Barclay

One of my favourite scripture verses these days is Isaiah 43:2:

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you (NLT).

God is with me, even in shark-infested waters!

Some of my Inscribe posts over the last year have described or alluded to challenges my husband and I face with our prodigal children. This is new territory for us. From birth we brought up our son and daughter to know and fear the Lord. We dedicated them as infants, took them to church and youth group, prayed with them, thought we modeled a life of faith. Both of them made decisions for Christ and were baptized of their own volition, our daughter spent three years at Bible College. Now both are walking apart from God. It's all very surreal.

Without Christ to walk alongside us in this journey, where would we be? It's unfathomable. He is our hope. He gives us peace. We know that God is faithful. We know that He is good. He doesn't want anyone to perish and He has good plans for us. 

He has good plans for our children too. We know that; we believe that. We are "certain that God, who began the good work. . .will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns" (Philippians 1:6, NLT).

This new territory is fraught with unknowns: When will God move? Is He at work even now? What will He have to do to restore our children to Himself? How long will it take? How difficult will they make it? And so on.

There is little much we can do when our children won't listen. We can pray! We can invite others to pray alongside us. We can search the scriptures for encouragement, verses that speak to God's character, His nature, and of His promises. We can find encouragement in the testimonies of prodigals who have returned and rejoice in their stories. We can continue to show love to our wanderers. We can seek out others who have walked similar paths and invite them to mentor us. We can ask God what He would have us do as we wait on Him.

Where two or three or gathered, He is in our midst

One thing this journey has taught us is greater compassion. You never know what someone else is growing through. We need to have empathy and patience with one another. Also to rejoice in trials, because "they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love" (Romans 5:3-5, NLT).

There may be many twists and turns in the road ahead, perhaps new territories for which we will need increased faith to step out of our comfort zones. Thankfully, God has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

And just as Christ died for our sins, He died for the sins of our children. Since there was hope for us, there is also hope for them. As long as there is life, the story isn't over. What a day of rejoicing that will be. I am already planning the prodigal returns parties! 

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Susan Barclay maintains a website at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com and has recently returned to blogging there on a semi-regular basis.

The Hope and Experience of Easter by Susan Barclay

This month we’re asked to answer the question “What do Lent and the death and resurrection of Christ mean to you?”

I come from a tradition that doesn’t observe Lent, though I have personally observed it a few times. More important to me is the remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection, which give me hope for a future spent with Him.

When you have a prodigal child, as I do, it gives new perspective on your relationship with God. This season is certainly drawing me closer to Him, recognizing my dependence on Him and on His goodness. I have pressed more closely into prayer, into Scripture reading, into praise. That last – praise – may surprise you since my circumstances (the spiritual condition of one who is precious to me) are not favourable. But we are told to give thanks in all things and I thank God for who He is.

What is the character of God? He is love, mercy, forgiveness, grace. He is holy. He judges all things righteously and perfectly. He made the earth and everything in it. Everything that breathes He loves and cares for – especially people, who are made in His image. He loves my child more deeply and well than I ever could. He is a keeper of promises. He is provider, healer, and more, so I can trust Him as He works in the life of my child, that He pursues lost sheep, redeems and restores.

The story of the prodigal, an exaggeration as parables are, provides a marvelous example of roles we all play, or may play. As one-time prodigals ourselves we can identify with the son who has wandered away and turned his back on the right path. As parents we can identify with the father who lovingly gives the child what he wants and lets life be the difficult teacher. The father prays, waits and watches. I love this song by Rich Mullins on the theme:

Growing Young

As I reflect on Easter and the work Christ did on the cross, I’m reminded that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. That means I too have missed the mark. I was just as guilty as anyone and in need of a Saviour. Thank God, for providing the Way back to Him!

I am posting this later in the day than I planned on. Suddenly it was April 4^th and I didn’t have my piece completed. Perhaps that’s just as well, for it allows me to end with this familiar song sung by Celtic Woman, a rendition I only heard tonight. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. How very sweet indeed.

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Please visit Susan at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.ca