"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32
Ever Ask Why?
I imagine Simon Peter was thinking, "I need more than a prayer, Jesus!"
He was probably thinking, "Why can't you just stop the sifting?"
How often do we wonder why we are going through these excruciating seasons of life?
Is all of this necessary, Lord?
When God doesn't have your attention, He'll disturb what does. Lisa Lim
We receive excellent mercy from Abba Father when He allows circumstance and relationships to move us to total dependence upon His love.
Sometimes it is called "pruning."
Pruning leaves less wood, so the branch has more sap to form fruit.
"Do you want God, or do you want a fix for your fix? "
Our natural response is often to ask Abba Father to get us out of this situation!
Yet, His ways are more fruitful.
He brings us to the place of strengthening our brothers and sisters because His pruning has led us to more fruitfulness!
He desires to use the problem to mold us into the image of His Son, Jesus.
Examine your prayers.
Are they being led by Holy Spirit or by you?
Will your prayers transform you or only comfort you?
Will your prayers change your relationships or justify you?
Will your prayers change your community?
Lord, continue to use anything we encounter to prune us unto greater fruitfulness for Your kingdom. Find our responses faithful. Amen