By Effie Rolfe
Letting God Be (Part 2). This week we continue with ‘letting go and letting God be’ exactly who He is—Sovereign. Pastor Calvin Robinson’s conversation continues on how to pray, the power of praying and praying God’s word regarding sickness or any obstacle in life with excerpts from his upcoming book, Letting Go 101. The Co-Leader of ‘Celebrate Recovery’ at Bethel Church Crown Point, Indiana continued with “God knows exactly what we need. He also knows exactly how He intends to provide for us. I can rest in this knowing that when His answer is no, it only means that He has something better in mind! Something that my eyes cannot see, my ears cannot understand, and my little heart (my imagination) cannot penetrate. God is a mystery. His goodness exceeds my highest desires! Far be it from us to think that our desires are better than His.
2 Samuel 12:14-31 reminds us that King David pleaded with God concerning his son. David fasted and did not eat. He did not desire delicacies, dainties nor did he desire necessary nutrients. This matter was of utmost importance to him. This desire permeated all of His being and life. The best fast is the unplanned fast. The fast that brings God greatest pleasure is the spontaneous fast that results from our earnestly seeking His face. Prayer is always good. Fasting provides the enhanced focus to our prayer. So not only is David praying, he is praying in earnest.
David is serious. However, he is more serious about what he wants than in what God has decided. He is serious about himself and his needs. While he looks very religious and devout, actually he is centered upon his own ends and not God’s glory. The best prayer is centered on God’s glory. We do not ask only because we want, we ask in order for God to get the glory in the giving. David’s fast is almost to say “I would rather have my son alive than to live myself!” The sentiment is admirable, though shortsighted to some degree. Jesus said that man lives “by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Father” (Matthew 4:4). Nothing wrong with fasting for his child, but we have to understand the levels and degrees of prayer in order to have an idea of the likelihood of a positive response from the Lord. If I had to map out the degrees of prayer, I would describe them in the following levels:
Lowest level—is prayer from my own heart about my own concerns and for my pleasure.
Low middle—is prayer from my own heart, focused on someone else’s needs, and for their ease.
Middle—prayer from God’s Word, focused on my own concerns, and for God’s glory.
High middle—is prayer from God’s Word, focused on someone else’s needs and for God’s glory.
Highest—prayer from God’s own heart (Spirit), grounded in God’s Word and for God’s glory.
However, David’s prayer is not wrong. It is simply not the highest form of prayer. Had he prayed according to the highest level he would have prayed that God give his son rest and comfort as he transitions him from this world into the eternal. That was God’s heart, from God’s word (the prophet Nathan), and for God’s glory (God would not be mocked by David’s adultery). David was praying a low-middle prayer from his heart and not God’s will. Next week, we will conclude with prayers that move the heart of God, creator of heaven and earth.
In the meantime, regardless of the situation—ask for wisdom to pray and trust for God’s best. His will.
Are you trusting God to be God…?
Effie Rolfe is an Author of “Supersize Your Thinking,” Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can contact her at effierolfe.com or [email protected] Listen to her show daily on urbanpraiseradio.org. (2015 Stellar Award Winner for Best Internet Radio Station banpraiseradio.org.)
