A Prayer About the Gospel Odds
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17
Heavenly Father, there are times when the “odds” feel quite stacked against the possibility of your transforming kingdom making significant advances in our broken world… in our local communities… or even in our families. With the naked eye, the enemies of your mercy, grace, and peace seem to greatly outnumber your “troops.” Serving you feels quite overwhelming at times, even fruitless.
But, Father, just when I begin to reach into the closet for my “poor me hair shirt,” or assume the attitude of the defeatist forlorn donkey, Eeyore, in the Winnie the Pooh tales, or worse, take on the lonely self-righteous martyr look… once again, you open the eyes of my heart and show me the way things REALLY are. You’re such a patient and merciful God…
Though serving you is not like a childhood game of kickball, when we do our best to choose the best players for our team… nevertheless, it’s sure good… no, vital to know that because of the gospel, “those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). I’m excited to know this probably involves a bunch of angels, just like in Elisha’s day, but I’m even more comforted to know it involves the whole Godhead-you, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
Father, the “odds” are never really stacked against your covenant purposes and your transforming kingdom. You’re not “trying” to do anything. You never have to resort to plan B. You’re not hedging your bets. You are God, and there is no other god…
So help me, my friends and your servants throughout the world, not to become weary in seeking to live out the implications of the gospel of the kingdom, for we will reap a harvest at the proper time, if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9). And the gospel is all the motivation, hope and power we need not to give up. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ comforting name.