Helplessness is how the Christian life works.
Remember when the apostle Paul prayed for the thorn in his flesh to be removed three times but it didn’t happen. God reminded Paul how prayer and the gospel works.
2 Corinthians 12:9 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
The very thing we are allergic to – our helplessness – is what makes prayer work. It works because we are helpless. Prayer mirrors the gospel.
We say “Strong Christians pray a lot. If I were a stronger Christian, I’d pray more. Strong Christians do pray more, but they pray more because they realize how weak they are. Weakness is the channel that allows them to access grace.
My best parenting was by prayer. I began to speak less to the kids and more to God. Just the daily miracle of hearing my kids say,
“I prayed to God that is why I remember my piano piece.”
” I prayed for you Daddy when you were preaching.”
” I prayed that the Holy Spirit will help me not to get mad.”
My best leadership moves was by prayer. I began to strategize less and pray more to God. I am excited for this year. I have called the church to move in prayer this year. It means everything we do in church – whether discipleship, expanding, pastoring, leading will be clothed in rpayer because we understand that without God we are helpless.