“A precise prayer gives Christ the opportunity to remove all doubt about his love and interest. Your problem becomes his pathway. The challenge you face becomes a canvas upon which Christ can demonstrate his finest work. So offer a simple prayer and entrust the problem to Christ.”- Max Lucado
“The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Dear woman, that’s not our problem,’ Jesus replied. ‘My time has not yet come.’ But his mother told the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ “- John 2:3-5 (NLT)
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 2 of Never Alone as he observes that Jesus’ mother Mary models precise prayer. Her problem became Jesus’ pathway. However, when Mary presents the need (John 2:3), Jesus seems curiously unreceptive to His mother’s request (v. 4). Hence, Jesus met Mary’s problem with hesitation.
Certainly, Pastor Lucado states, you’ve explained your shortage to Jesus, pleaded your case. And then – silence. So, when no answer comes, Max asks, how does your verse 5 read? For example, Mary’s verse five could have read as follows:
- “She stomped away in a huff.”
- “She declared that she no longer believed her Son.”
- “Mary said, ‘If you loved me, you would answer my prayer.’ “
Also, Max underscores, in verse five whatever means whatever. Whatever Jesus says or commands. Above all, even if Jesus’ ‘whatever’ is a nothing whatsoever, do it. Thus, Mary possessed faith to believe that Jesus would do exactly what was right – not exactly what she asked. Therefore, Max explains:
“Something powerful happens when we present our needs to him and trust him to do what is right. . . . It simply falls to us to believe — to believe that Jesus is king of each and every situation. So make your specific request and trust him to do, not exactly what you want, but what is best.”
Today’s question: How does your precise prayer present Jesus with a problem that becomes His pathway? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Contingent faith = sidewalk chalk”
