In last week’s blog, I mentioned how vigilant we need to be in our prayer lives. While I still believe this to be true, what keeps ringing in my ear is that prayer alone will not give us the results we are looking for in many areas of our lives. Mended relationships, weight loss, dream jobs, healed minds and bodies-the list is endless. Prayer is a good start but today, we are reminded that “Faith is dead without good works.” (James 2:26 NLT). The picture above is my rendition of what I believe is a posture to take if we truly want to see change in our lives.
For so many years we have seen the slogan “PUSH”-Pray Until Something Happens. Today I believe that God is telling us to PUSH and then PURGE-Persevere Until you Reach the Goal Every time. Frankly, God is not hard of hearing and I’m not convinced that we have to keep praying the same prayers over and over. If He is not answering in the way you desire, then perhaps His answer on the matter is “not now” or simply “no”. Scripture tells us that each day has enough worries of its own (Matthew 6:34) so surely we have plenty of petitions to render to God.
I ask you today, what actions do you take once you have made your requests known to God? Do you ask God to “change” the other person in the relationship while you continue to do the exact same things while expecting different results. Do you pray that one day you’ll be able to fit in a size 6 dress yet all of your extracurricular activities involve eating out and don’t include any form of exercise? Do you pray for your “dream job” to come through yet you’ve yet to work on certification and credentials that will aid you in being more qualified than other candidates? Do you pray for your body or mind to be healed but refuse to work on areas of unforgiveness and bitterness that have taken root and have a direct effect on your health?
I believe that PURGE is two fold and I pray that it will be embraced with as much tenacity as the PUSH acronym. After praying, we must take action. But first we must purge (get rid of unwanted feelings, memories, conditions-clear, cleanse) our minds of the thinking that hinders us from reaching our fullest potential. Yes, I am a believer in fervent and effectual prayer. But I further believe that “faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless (James 2:17 NLT). Pray until something happens and then you be the “happening” thing by Perservering/Pressing Until you Reach the Goal-not sometimes but Every time!
God bless and keep you always is my earnest prayer.