Prayer
Finding the Heart’s True Home
by Richard Foster
Part 3— Moving Outward
Chapter 19—Prayer of
Suffering
“ It is the prayer of agony which saves the world.” -- St. Mary of Jesus
OPENING PRAYER
1. One form of prayer that is completely
other-centered
· We give
God the trials we face to use redemptively.
· We take
into ourselves the sufferings of others to set them free.
· “In our
sufferings those who suffer come to see the face of the suffering God.”
2. Christ’s Fellowship of Suffering
· Philippians
3:10
· Colossians
1:24
· Partners
with Jesus in suffering—have you ever done this? What did you learn?
3. Redemptive Suffering
· Unredemptive
suffering—cruel, meaningless—we must fight it.
· U.S.
society cannot tolerate any discomfort or inconvenience—even hurt feelings!
· Delayed
gratification—bearing the cross patiently for future joy.
· Hebrews
12:2
· I Peter
4:13
· James 1:2
· Romans
8:18
· Christians
can experience joy and sorrow together—complementary.
· Stand
with people in their suffering—not arm’s length
· “They”
and “them” become “we” and “us”.
4. Finding Value in Suffering
· Superficial
triumphalism—living on the fluff side of faith
o Think of
being on either side of suffering—what is the difference?
· “Baptism
in the sacrament of suffering”—what does that feel like?
· II Corinthians
1: 1-7
· Triumph
in Christ goes through
suffering. It is a normal progression in
the Christian life.
· John
16:33
· Our
hearts become more sensitive to others’ suffering as we go through our own—the
“wounded healer”
· “We
endure the agony that prepares us to enter into the anguish of others.”
· Story of
the pastor’s daughter— entered into her pain, repented for her father, sought
healing for her inner child.
5. How do we enter into suffering in a
redemptive manner?
· Moses-- Go
to the Lord, make atonement for your sin (Exod. 32:32)
· Daniel—confessing
the sins of his people (Dan. 9:4; 9:5-19)
· Joseph in
exile, Mary at Calvary, Stephen and his stoning, Paul under persecution
· George
MacDonald: “The Son of God suffered unto the death, not that men might not
suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.”
6. Passive Suffering
· Trials
that come into our lives
· Irritating
to tragic
· Sometimes
because of disobedience or wrong living—change behavior
· Other
times they are out of our control—put trust in God and wait patiently
· Ask for
wisdom to know the difference between the 2 types.
· Ask “What
are you doing, Lord, and what can I do to participate?”
7. Active Suffering
· We
voluntarily take ourselves into the griefs and sorrows of others.
· Bear
their burdens, weep with those who weep.
· Don’t
retain their burdens—hold it only as long as it takes for them to let go of it.
· Carolynn
and Anne
8. Repenting on behalf of others
· Especially
our enemies
· The note
found at Ravensbruck – p. 224
· Our
repentance for others makes it easier for them to do it later—“droplets of
grace and mercy”
· Who could
you repent for?
9. Holding on to receive a blessing—Jacob’s
prayer
· Holy
violence—wrestling with God
· Argue
with God so that His justice might be overcome by His mercy
· “How
could a loving God…?” “But that’s not
loving!”
· Struggle
is consistent with love—an expression of caring.
· Knock
repeatedly and loudly. Fasting.
· “The
righteous man strives in prayer with God and conquers—in that God conquers.”
· --Søren
Kierkegaard
10. Suffering with the Body of Christ
- Christ suffered in His physical body, and now suffers in ours.
- Our sufferings, when done in Him, are redemptive—draw others to Him.
- We share our sufferings with Him and He shares His with us.
- When have you been called on to share in someone’s suffering?
Closing
Prayer
O Holy Spirit of God, so many hurt today. Help me to stand with them in their
suffering. I do not really know how to do this.
My temptation is to offer some quick prayer and send them off rather
than endure with them the desolation of suffering. Show me the pathway into their pain.
In the name and for the sake of Jesus. –Amen.
"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
You can share our lessons with others who can’t be
here in person by referring them to
http://christian-transformationblog.blogspot.com
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