Prayer about the Impossible

But he [Jesus] said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)

For the past several weeks we have concluded our blog week with a prayer. Today’s prayer was written by Pastor Scotty Smith from Christ Church in Tennessee. Scotty was mentored by the late Dr. John C. Miller, founder of New Life Presbyterian Churches in Bucks County, PA, and World Harvest Mission:

Gracious Jesus, you offered these words of hope to disciples trying to picture a camel squeezing through the eye of a needle. You speak the same words to me in light of many situations for which I need to accept my limitations and lay hold of your sufficiency.

I begin this day remembering that your commitment is to make all things new, not make all new things. There is an enormous difference between the two. Indeed, Jesus, you’ve placed us in a story of restoration, not replacement. You

are actively at work in the broken places and among broken people, including me. Through your resurrection, we’ve been given great assurance and hope for a redeemed universe. This is incredibly good news—the best news ever.

The hard news is that I have to accept that many things are impossible for me. My best intentions, efforts, and resources are simply not enough. I see this especially in my relationships. This requires a humility and faith the gospel alone can provide.

Grant me both, Jesus; grant me both. I cannot change me, so why do I assume the omnipotence to fix others? As much as I long to see friends freed from addictions, marriages brought back from the brink of death, and stubborn people made gentle and kind, Jesus, you alone have the power of resurrection.

Maybe the greater challenge will be for you to make me a patient, caring, present friend. Please show me the first nose hair of this camel poking through a needle’s eye. Hasten the day of perfect newness in my heart. I pray in your majestic name. Amen.
Smith, Scotty (2011-09-01). Everyday Prayers for a Transformed Life: 365 Days to Gospel-Centered Faith (Kindle Locations 6110-6122). Baker Book Group. Kindle Edition.

Have a great weekend! – Bill Welte is President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Team YOU: Psalm 132-134; Proverbs 31; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Motivations: God is very patient. It took him years to teach me to say two words:

“Lord, anything!” Douglas Brown

Practice to Remember: Level 1:Philippians 3:13-14; Level 2: Philippians 3:17-21

Powered Up:  — tell God what you know He knows in order that you may get to know it as He does. – Oswald Chambers