“You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.” — St. Teresa of Avila
Do you ask God for great things?
Being a Campus Minister is no easy thing. There are countless requests on a daily basis to pray for people in need, and to intercede for those who are suffering. Then there are those moments when the Holy Spirit whispers that someone who looks happy on the surface needs a lot of spiritual healing and support.
In my life as a consecrated person, I feel very close to God at times, and at other times, very far away. While my faith might tell me that God really is there and he really cares about what I am going through, and what other people I love are going through, I don’t always see that or experience that.
What to do?
Recently I have discovered anew the power of intercession and supplication.
The prayer of intercession: Many times, our prayers include requests for others as we intercede for them. We are told to make intercession “for everyone” in 1 Timothy 2:1. Jesus serves as our example in this area. The whole of John 17 is a prayer of Jesus on behalf of His disciples and all believers.
The prayer of request (or supplication): We are to take our requests to God. Philippians 4:6 teaches, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Part of winning the spiritual battle is to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18). (Quotes from Got Questions)
I know of many people who deal with their anxieties and problems without prayer. They try really hard to keep it all together, to tough it out, to go it alone, and to drown their sorrows in a variety of ways. (Not so helpful in the long run: they burn out).
I know of other people who also struggle with keeping life in balance, who try to stay strong for others who depend on them, but who also add prayer into the mix. They make prayers of intercession and supplication A LOT, and God does answer their prayers. Many times, their prayer of supplication is for themselves to see things in a different light, to expand their hearts to love others as God loves them, to forgive injuries, to open new horizons in their lives. Prayer is a breath of fresh air for them. Sometimes, seemingly impossible things happen for them because they dared to believe that God was greater than their difficulties…
How is your life? How is your prayer? Do you believe that God wants to heal and help you and those around you in more ways you can imagine? What if you prayed more and worried less?
May you discover anew the God who loves you and listens to even the smallest desires of your heart. Pay God a compliment today and ask of Him great things.
