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The Kind of Prayer I’d Like To Avoid
July 25, 2023
by Meghan Ryan

“Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.” Psalm 25:18 (NIV)

Confession: I’m really resistant to practicing confession in my prayers.  I don’t think I’m alone in this, either. Admitting where we don’t measure up, where we fall short, and what we hide in the straight-up ugly and dark places of our hearts is not exactly something I think anyone feels enthusiastic about. In fact, I think it’s a prayer we like to avoid.  Especially when it seems like we keep running into the same struggles over and over again. As hard as we try, we just can’t seem to overcome that one sin. Is it possible to change?

If you feel this tension, too, I want to show you why confession matters. By definition, it is an act of faith. First John 1:9 says we confess our sins because God “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (ESV). In Scripture, “confession” often refers to an acknowledgement of our sins before God and in some cases, also before a fellow Christ follower or anyone we have sinned against.  Admitting what we’ve done wrong, the things we aren’t proud of, and the moments that make us want to hide in shame doesn’t sound like the access code to change. But acknowledging our faults and failures paves the way for us to experience freedom.  King David, the author of Psalm 25, experienced this freedom when he brought his sins before God. While we don’t know the circumstances he faced, we do know that in asking God to save him, he admitted he was not innocent.  In today’s key verse, David approached God and asked Him to “look on [his] affliction and [his] distress and take away all [his] sins” (Psalm 25:18).

David’s confession of his sins didn’t leave him in despair and dismay; it reminded him of his desperate need for God. He knew God was the only One who could rescue him.  So how should we confess? Where do we start? David did three things in his confession that we can also practice.

1. Reference God’s character. Throughout Psalm 25, David stated characteristics of God. His love is steadfast, and He’s faithful (Psalm 25:10). He is good and upright (Psalm 25:8), He does not put us to shame (Psalm 25:3), and He mercifully pardons our guilt (Psalm 25:11).

2. Remember what God has done. Knowing that God instructed and brought His people out of their distress in the past gives us hope that we, too, can move forward after we sin (Psalm 25:6-7).

3. Remind ourselves of what God will do because of who He is. In referencing God’s characteristics, David reminded himself that God would forgive him, instruct him and deliver him from trouble (Psalm 25:3; Psalm 25:8; Psalm 25:15).

Friend, change is possible. And confession is the first step in admitting that we can’t do it on our own and that only God can save us. Confession is not about shaming us it’s about freeing us from the weight of shame. When we stop hiding, we can start healing.  Let this be an invitation to approach God and admit your need for Him to forgive and heal you today.

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When You Can’t Take Care of It
July 21, 2023
by Cara Blondo, COMPEL Training Member

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

With shoulders slumped and her head hanging, she began: “Mom, there’s a problem ...”

As I listened to my daughter share details of a situation, I realized this problem was beyond my authority or influence; I could not get involved. Despite wanting to intervene with every fiber of my being, I had to sit this one out and stay on the proverbial bench.  “I care about this,” I said repeatedly, “but I can’t take care of this.”

As her mother, I cared deeply. I longed to help make things right in order to bring hope to her hurting heart. But I couldn’t. Not this time, not in this situation.  I care about it, but I can’t take care of it.  The words seemed to echo within my heart as my thoughts turned toward my heavenly Father. Then I realized: Never will I come to Him with a problem, concern or heartache and be met with “No, I can’t help you” or “Sorry, I won’t help you.”

Our heavenly Father is both able and willing.  “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

While I had the heart but not the authority to help my child, God has the heart and the authority to help every one of His children in their times of need.  Why?

Because God is King not only over all the earth but over His daughters you and me. He is present everywhere and sees and knows all. The painful words spoken against us?

He heard them. That devastating loss?

He saw it. And He is actively involved in our lives for our good and His glory. He rules, reigns, and is seated upon His throne, a symbol of His power, able to make things right and comfort the hurting places within us.  But not only is God able; He is willing, and He beckons us to “draw near” (Hebrews 4:16).  Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, those in need continually came to Him: the blind, the lame, the rich, the poor, the seeking, the downcast and the outcast. Whichever you most identify with today, He bids you to come. He is able to help you.  People came to Jesus in times of desperation, helplessness, hopelessness and uncertainty. Now in your time of need come. God is willing to help you.  People brought Jesus their questions; their fears; and, yes, their worship. God cares about it all, regardless of what we hold in our hearts or hands at the moment.  Crowds of followers sought comfort, hope, healing and wisdom from Jesus. Whatever you need today or whatever you are seeking, remember this: God cares about it and can take care of it because He cares about you and can take care of you.  Draw near to God’s throne of grace. In doing so, you will find all the help you need.

   Munchkyne

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Walking With a Rabbi
July 18, 2023
by Shala W. Graham

“Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant.” Mark 4:10 (NLT)

This past winter, I found myself walking the streets of northern Italy for 17 days with a group of women from my seminary class. It was an intensive class on women in the early Church and the arts, pondering their lives and documenting evidence of their church leadership.  Our two professors guiding the trip taught us to interpret Christian art, understand the context of New Testament scriptures, and uncover the stories of dozens of female martyrs in the early Church. And we each had an opportunity to teach one another about a woman or a related topic we researched.  Whenever we would gather in a center of worship in Italy, one of our professors would launch into a hymn, and our ragtag group of women would join in chorus. The first time, I had no idea what was happening! But it quickly grew to be one of my favorite things we did. People thought we were a real singing group and would sometimes ask for an encore, which we happily obliged. I mean, we all could use a little more worshipping of the King in our lives!  After departing a church in Assisi, I was intrigued by something I saw.  My professor was surrounded by a few classmates who were asking all their questions about scriptures related to women in the Church. As they walked together, they discussed the Apostle Paul and the situation in Ephesus. So what did Paul mean when he said this and that?

Then our professor would pull up an app on her phone to read the scriptures in question in Greek, interpreting them for all of her curious students. She was patient and always eager to teach so we could understand and be equipped in our unique callings.  Then it hit me. This is a taste of what it must have been like to walk with Jesus!  At that moment, God gave me this beautiful image of what it must have been like for Jesus’ disciples to walk with their Rabbi through the streets of Galilee.  We had opportunities to walk, talk and eat with our professors and to be taught by them on a hillside. We asked our professors big life questions and got to know the personal details of their lives. Our professors were like our rabbis, teaching us about Jesus in the way of Jesus.  The way of Jesus made room for His disciples to ask all their questions. Regularly, throughout the Gospels, we see this beautiful relationship in action.  When Jesus began teaching in parables, those who were gathered with Him asked “what the parables meant,” and Jesus was careful to reveal to His followers “the secret of the Kingdom of God” (Mark 4:10-11, NLT).

In their walking and sailing with Jesus, they saw Him teach people, calm storms, cast out demons, eat with sinners, and raise people from the dead. Then Jesus sent them out two by two, giving them authority to do as He did (Mark 6:6-13).  I could see Jesus as I walked with my “rabbis.” And while I’m grateful to have had the privilege to learn from these incredible women in Italy, I’m most grateful that God has given the Holy Spirit to all Christ followers in all places to guide us and cultivate our training as disciples.  The Holy Spirit can also lead us to spiritual mentors: Think about a faithful woman whose life and maturity you admire maturity in age, season or experience who demonstrates what it looks like to follow Jesus in the everyday things. Then consider humbly asking her to take you under her wing for genuine discipleship.  Likewise, maybe you are the woman who has spiritual maturity to share. Has God put someone on your heart who is going through a season you've already walked through and could use your guidance? Invite her to come near and walk with you as you walk with Jesus.  As we reach out to hold hands in true discipleship, may we imitate the beautiful relationship the disciples had with Jesus as they walked with their Rabbi.