Prayers in Bowls
Recently, I shared how the Holy Spirit spoke to me about prayer bowls one day at the splash pad with my kids. As I was watching my children play joyously under the tipping buckets, the Holy Spirit convicted me about how I wait on Him. In contrast to my kids, I don’t wait well for God’s answers. How about you?
Fill Your Bowl
“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Revelation 5:8 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/rev.5.8.esv
Previously we talked specifically about filling your prayer bowl and what it means to have prayer equity. Additionally we discussed how God stores the prayers of the righteous in bowls and when the time is right he pours out his answer over us. It’s our job to make sure that we aren’t slacking off in our prayer life and that we are constantly filling our bowls. We are called to pray without ceasing and looked at 10 ways to make that more possible in our daily lives.
If you missed the first two posts, check them out here:
Prayer Bowls 1: Fill You Bowl
Prayer Bowls 2: Pray Without Ceasing
Wait On the Fill Up
Filling the bowl is only half of the battle though. While we’re busy filling our bowls, we still have to wait for the moment that God chooses to pour out his answers and blessings.
If you’ve ever had to wait on God’s answer you know the waiting periods can be excruciating. The enemy attacks with his favorite lies in the wait and it’s easy to lose hope. When we are stuck in the wait, we get tired of doing the right things. We lose focus and lack consistency in our walk with the Lord. Prayer becomes an afterthought or checkmark in a box. Reading the Bible becomes a chore.
Stuck in the Muck
In the wait, we may not want to listen to what God is saying.
At the present time, I am getting specific passages regarding a specific situation. I’ll admit I find it more irritating than comforting when these verses keep popping up.
While it is a great reminder to know that God is still with me, the passages remind me that I am fully dependent on God to change hearts and all I can do is wait. Despite the reminders, I get frustrated when I pray scriptures the Holy Spirit shows me back to the Father and the spiritual warfare ramps up instead of lessons. Persistence, endurance, and consistency easily become wishful thinking as frustration, exhaustion and hopelessness take over.
My sinful nature fights to take over and I want to get lazy and complacent. Ego-filled thinking says I’ve done enough. I have been obedient and gotten right with the Lord — as if those ares one time occurrences and not something to do continuously.
And waiting… Waiting becomes a four-letter word akin to a curse.
How Well Do You Wait?
We have a choice in the wait. We can get stuck in the muck by choosing to wait badly. Conversely, we can choose to wait well and fully rely on God. While God is going to do whatever is in his plan, we absolutely can get in the way and hinder the process. His having to deal with our sin, disrespect and disobedience can absolutely slow down or stop his blessings and answers.
TO WAIT BADLY
Have you ever watched a kid throw a tantrum? It can be impressive.
Truthfully, each of my kids went through the stage of throwing themselves on the floor, kicking and screaming, when they didn’t get their way. My littlest is in that stage now and she can be a serious drama queen. She will kick and scream and roll around until someone comes to get her and distract her. While my boys would give it a good go and then move on, she digs here heals in and won’t give up until someone comes to calm her down.
While we all eventually grow out of the stage eventually, we tend to keep the same emotional and spiritual response on some level. When we get angry and irritated, we lose our God-given hope and peace. Additionally, we can throw the spiritual equivalent of a temper tantrum when we don’t get our way, or don’t understand the answer we’re given,
How do you react?
What do you do when:
- The person you are praying healing over dies?
- The prodigal leaves?
- The addict continues to use or relapses after some length of time sober?
- A relationship falls apart?
- Someone suffers from a mental illness that isn’t curable?
- You pray for deliverance from (insert whatever your situation is) and it doesn’t seem to happen?
Do you accept the answer or get upset? Are you persistent in prayer, refusing to give up until God moves, or do you give up in frustration?
Throwing Tantrums
I will be honest and say that I have thrown some spectacular tantrums over situations in my life. It has taken me years to learn that my go-to, default response to stress is anger. Unfortunately, not even God is not spared from my outbursts. Even knowing that it will be a losing battle doesn’t stop me from arguing and throwing insults and accusations His way.
Ranting and Raving
In my tantrum moments, the Father has heard me ask all kinds of angry questions and accusations. For instance:
- Where are You?
- What are You doing about this?
- Is this really Your will?
- You said x over this situation… when are You going to do it?
- Do You even care?
- If You work all things together for my good, where is the good in this?
- You’re a liar.
Getting Comfort
Furthermore, I have ranted and raved at God and he has patiently heard me out, comforted me and given me peace every time I’ve done so. Like my daughter, who needs to be held, comforted and redirected to get over a tantrum, God is usually quick and happy to redirect my thoughts and help me reframe myself and my situations.
I’ve spent enough time angry and frustration over situations that I’m learning the pattern of steps he takes. Being mindful of this pattern is helping me learn to move through all of my negative stages of reaction to healthier stages like forgiveness and acceptance much quicker. This doesn’t negate the anger, however. It is real and needs to be dealt with accordingly. Ignoring it simply slows down God’s healing process and allows sin to fester.
Thankfully, those moments never last long and he pulls me through them, reminding me that peace comes when I finally get honest and that he can handle whatever I’m feeling, even my anger.
TO WAIT WELL
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/gal.6.9.esv
So when you’re stuck in the waiting, how do you deal with the emotional yuck? God has taught me five keys to waiting well.
1. Let it out
Be real about where you are
Change isn’t possible until you are able and willing to admit there is a problem. Like any recover program, you have to get real about where you are in order to move forward. There isn’t anything you can say that will surprise God. He knows exactly what we are thinking and feeling. However, it can be difficult for us to slow down and take the time to truely evaluate our hearts and minds.
It takes deliberate effort to dig into the dark corners and poke around long enough to find out what is there. For this reason, the first step in waiting well is admitting how you feel to God. When you pour out how you truly feel; the good, the bad and the ugly; you get real before the Lord. Only then can God shine a light into the darkness. It is in those moments that we allow God to work in us.
Pull it out by the root
A friend of mine keeps reminding me that anger, specifically, isn’t a feeling; it is a reaction to other feelings. While she and I have disagreed over this for years, I’m finally starting to see how she may be correct (coughs). Usually anger is a symptom of another feeling. My anger usually stems from frustration, injustice, and/or hurt. It’s a result of unmet expectations or feeling misunderstood or worse, hurt by someone or something. As a good therapist and better friend, she has reminded me for years to peel back the anger to find what is underneath driving it. Only by finding the root can we pull it out and address it appropriately.
Using feelings as a gauge of spiritual health
Our feelings are never the problem though. They are simply a gauge of how we are dealing with the problem (whatever circumstance we’re in). Our feelings are tools that help us gauge our spiritual health. The problem is what we do with them. It’s important take our feelings to the Lord, so he can show us where we are stuck. Whether it’s an attitude, a false believe, a sin, or something else, God wants to help us move through it to find His peace.
2. Remember what Christ went through
Physical suffering
My dad has a sermon he usually gave around Easter that talks about the extent of suffering Christ went through. He talks about the amount of stress the physical body has to undergo in order to sweat blood and other horrific things. It’s not easy to listen to or remember but has had a major impact on my understanding of the crucifixion and the work Christ came to do on Earth.
Because of this sermon, it’s easy for me to focus on Christ’s physical suffering and forget the mental, emotional and spiritual suffering. But Christ suffered on all levels and felt every human emotion we can ever go through.
Mental, emotional and spiritual suffering
The night before he died, he was denied and rejected multiple times by his best friend, the apostle who go on to be the leader of the early church and who the Catholics consider to be the first Pope (John 18:13-27). Christ was betrayed by second friend and apostle (Matthew 26:15). He was turned against, by the very people he had ministered too, healed and helped. His own Father, the source of perfect love, turned away from him in the end! He couldn’t possibly be more abandoned or betrayed, more hurt physically or emotionally. And there is nothing that we go through that will ever top his suffering.
Jesus understands it all.
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:14-15 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/heb.4.14-15.esv
There isn’t a single human experience that Christ didn’t suffer while on Earth. Christ was:
- tempted with sin by the Satan himself.
- betrayed.
- tortured.
- rejected.
- lonely
- hurt
- (fill in whatever you are feeling)
There is nothing we will ever face that he hasn’t. He sympathizes with all of our weaknesses and trials. All of our physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles he knows, has gone through and understands! He understands!
3. Remember I’m not alone
Thorns in our sides
God doesn’t promise that we won’t have trials, diseases, or awful circumstances. Even Paul complained of a thorn in his side given to him to prevent him from being conceited (2 Corinthians 12: 7). He never identifies what his thorn is but this verse implies that he struggled with it for a significant amount of time. Paul left it vague so that we would understand it doesn’t matter what the thorn is.
We know that even those that walked intimately with Christ himself, still had thorns of the flesh that they had to contend with. Every one of us struggles with thorns. We can, however, take great hope from knowing that, whatever our thorn, we are forgiven and God is always with us. He will never leave or abandon us.
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
Joshua 1:5 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/jos.1.5.esv
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/rom.8.37-39.esv
We are never ever alone
Not only does Christ understand everything we have to face in life, he wants and is waiting to help us through it all. He doesn’t want us to be ashamed of our weaknesses or to try to hide the truth of what we are going through from Him. Jesus wants us to pour it out in faith and honesty, expecting His mercy and grace in return to help us through our struggles.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 23:4 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.23.4.esv
4. Find the blessings
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”
2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/2co.2.14.esv
God is always reminding me to be grateful. I am convinced this is a learned skill, not a natural characteristic. But gratitude is an attitude and it is one, that when practiced, grows and pushes out its negative counterparts.
Ask God to show you things to be grateful for. He loves to give us signs of his love for us and little things to make us happy. Ask him to show you the lessons you’re learning, or to help you see the little things he does along the way.
The little things
My son collects feathers. I can spend days looking for a feather for him and never find one yet he can go on a walk around the block and find 5. I swear, it’s something personal that God does just for him! Sometimes he’ll say it must have come from a robin or blue jay but I’ve also heard him say they must have come from angel wings on more than one occasion. Sometimes the blessing is in the little things, like a feather, that are reminders he is with us and cares.
The big things
On occasion the answer come in larger ways.
Recently, I had a flat tire. While I know how to change a tire, I am rarely strong enough to loosen the lug nuts on my own. I knew my dad was coming to help me but the weather was awful, right around freezing, sleeting, etc. All three of my kids were in the car with me and I wanted to get them somewhere warmer and safer as quickly as possible.
God sends angels of mercy to help
I started the process of getting out the spare and jacking up the car, praying for help. Before long, I had exactly the people I needed, one of which I didn’t even know I needed. A woman waited in the freezing rain with me so I wouldn’t be uncomfortable with my children sitting in a strangers car with her to stay warm and dry.
God requires us to act and help ourselves
Additionally, a man stopped to help. He loosen the lug nuts, switched the tire, then tighten them back down enough I could safely drive on the spare. On one hand, this kind stranger didn’t do all of the work. I had to get the spare out, jack up the van. Afterwards, I had to put everything away again. And yet, on the other hand, God sent him at the moment I needed him, to do what I was unable do myself.
It doesn’t matter if God is sending you the big blessings or the small blessings. Truly, all are all signs that He is near, that he loves you and that he wants to remind you of both. Look for those things and you will find find them. More so, remember to be grateful when you do.
“that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”
Psalms 30:12 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.30.12.esv
5. Ask God for HIS perspective
Through a glass darkly
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/1co.13.12.esv
Dictionary.com has a great explanation of this verse:
“To see “through a glass” — a mirror — “darkly” is to have an obscure or imperfect vision of reality. The expression comes from the writings of the Apostle Paul. He explains that we do not see clearly now, but at the end of time, we will do so.”
Our perspectives are tainted by sin. We are not God and cannot see clearly. His perspective is limitless. Conversely, ours is limited. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore we need to be asking for His perspective of our situations and not relying on our own.
A change of perspective
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/jas.1.5.esv
Often somewhere in the process, God will give me wisdom regarding the situation. In time, this wisdom fosters a change in perspective that helps immensely in my healing.
Personally, I have had many such perspective shifts that have made dealing with people and situations significantly easier. Some of these perspective shifts have been knowledge of the other person that allows me to understand their perspective better. Other times, it has been a shift in physical circumstances that have allowed a way to open. Still, these perspective shifts have enabled me to to make positive, healthy changes in my situations. More so, they have allowed me to experience moments of true peace during extremely difficult seasons.
Our perspectives will always fall short until we reach heaven. While this is true, God can and will provide moments of clarity and glimpses of the larger picture to help you navigate your situations. What he tells us regarding every situation is different and yet he will give you wisdom and understanding when you ask.
Choosing to Wait Well
Waiting well doesn’t mean that you are never angry or hurt or confused. We grow frustrated and want resolutions to your circumstances and answers to our prayers. It doesn’t mean you never grow confused, second guessing what to do. Waiting well means getting real with God, about where you are, so that he can help you through it instead of getting stuck in the muck.
We can’t control God or speed up his timeline. That is out of our hands. What we can control, is us.
How well are you waiting? Are you blaming God, hurt or angry? We can choose to wait well. Conversely, we can choose to wait badly. God can absolutely handle whatever we are going through and will meet us in the mess. The most important part is rely on Him to get through it, and to not get stuck in the muck. Be real with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to help you move beyond the mess to strength, healing, comfort and peace. Those are the gifts that God lovingly wants to give to you in the middle of the waiting.
Psalm 23 The Lord is My Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms 23:1-6 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.23.1-6.esv
Prayer
Father,
There are so many situations and circumstances that we are waiting for you to move in. We have succumbed to the circumstances and have taken our eyes off of you. Meet us in our anger and pain. If we have sinned in our anger, we ask your forgiveness. Take the ugly, the anger, frustration, hurt and confusion. Pour your peace, comfort and healing into our hearts.
We chose to surrender the anger and the pain. Please move on our behalf. Whatever our circumstances, we understand that we cannot change the situation by our power and are waiting for you to intercede. While we ask for a swift resolution, we recommit to waiting for Your answer. Additionally, we commit to not grow weary in doing good: to continue praying and seeking you in the wait. Above all, I ask you to grow our patience, and perseverance in the wait. Help us to bear good fruit in all seasons that we may be the light in the world you have called us to be.
Thank you for the reassurance that our prayers are heard. Thank you for promising to listen and answer. We know that your answers may not come when or how we expect but we trust that the answers are good because you have promised to have plans that prosper us and not harm us.
In Jesus’ name.
Prayers in Bowls Series
If you’ve missed any of the articles in this series, check them out here: