Some twenty-four years ago, a friend remarked that she thanked God for her enemies. That statement took me aback and I asked for an explanation. She replied that it was because they forced her to pray. Since that time, this idea of forced prayers has kept popping up in different situations. It could be that you have a pending interview and have heard the examiner is tough. You pray, by force. And it is another example in our series on positive problems.
You see, unless some of us have enemies, we might stop praying. God sometimes gives us enemies so we will pray, thereby bringing good (prayer) out of evil (those enemies). Or you are on an airplane and suddenly, it plunges a few feet. Before you notice how your stomach is reacting to the descent, you call out to God. That is an example of forced prayer. It once happened to a man sitting next to me as we traveled. I had asked him about his relationship to Jesus and he sneered before saying he did not believe in God. How so?
Well, he was an atheist, and an atheist he would remain. Since Jesus did not mandate me to save anyone, I held my peace. But I was glad that God gave me the chance to do the part that belonged to me – preach. The power to save belongs to God. That is why Paul said he preached while Apollos watered but that the growth came from God. I turned and admired the handiwork of God through the aircraft window. But when that plane dropped, our beloved atheist cried out to God to help him.
God knows Those Who Engage In Forced Prayers
That poor man experienced forced prayers. I do not recall smiling because I must have been too busy dealing with my feelings about the rocking plane. God did help us and the plane leveled off. But each time I hear someone claiming to be an atheist, I remember that man. I always wonder how many people ignore God only to engage in forced prayers when trouble comes. God knows them. However, He does not want us to join them in their forced prayers.
In our previous post, under the “Jesus Wanted Out Of The Glorious Death” subheading, we made a mistake in the 2nd paragraph. Instead of writing “Paul prayed three times”, we wrote, “Peter prayed three times.”
Apologies for the error and thanks to our reader who spotted it. |
God wants to be our father is the reason He sent Jesus into the world to adopt us into His family. Anyone who accepts that gift, that is, Jesus, becomes a child of God. And, as the good father that God is, He wants our conversation with Him to be pleasant. God is not the kind of father who would like forced prayers or petitions.
Of course, if you are outside the family, you may have to engage God through forced prayers. But only you can change that, by coming into God’s family through Jesus Christ. In or out, pleasant petitions or forced prayers, the choice is yours. Choose today.
Some May Have to Go To Prison For Forced Prayers
The two scenarios of forced prayers are not the only ones there are. For instance, prison ministry is a large part of evangelism. And that is because only in the awful confines of prison that some people find God. I have witnessed and heard of so many such instances that I have my suspicions. It looks like these forced prayers are organized specially by God. I am not saying I know for sure but the suspicion is there.
Some people start their forced prayers on their deathbeds. And since God is a gracious God, He accedes to all prayers, forced or voluntary. But I don’t advise that we wait until we are in a tight corner before we call on God. He wants to hear your voice. We could come into His family today and give Him that pleasure of conversation between child and father. Guess what? You too will enjoy it and your life will never remain the same.
Maranatha!