I can be a slow learner. I am tempted to believe that through personal charisma, charm, enthusiasm, energy, or wit I can accomplish things that really only God can do. What is really important and eternal only God can do and to get what only God can do–that can only be accomplished through prayer. Prayer is God’s appointed means to accomplish impossible and eternal things.
The other night I was alone at home and I was facing a challenge that was seemed humanly impossible. Since I was alone it was easy for me to pray aloud. There in the night in my room alone I began to cry out to God. Within a few days God had answered my desperate prayer in such a remarkable way that I know I will always remember it as one of the greatest answers to prayer in my life. A few nights later Lois and I were lying in bed debriefing after the day and she mentioned that she, too, had cried out to the Lord for this same need. God is the God of the impossible and when He is going to do something He puts a prayer burden on the heart of believers.
Today while I was thinking about the flourishing of God’s work and the spiritual flourishing of the people who are dear to me I was reminded of a letter written by one of the most effective christian workers in the history of the church. In the letter he was talking about the flourishing of the church and he wrote:“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”
We are responsible for planting and watering and praying. God is the only one who can give the increase. I’m praying for an increase that can only come from God.
