Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.
I was wrong.
For the past few months I’ve considered the condition of our world and have been praying for Jesus to return and end the struggle.
I reflected on these words of Isaiah–words that could have been written about contemporary America–and cried out to the Father for the evil to end.
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. Isaiah 5:20 (NLT)
However, the more I cried out to the Father for the hardship to end, the more I realized how self-centered my prayer had been. I know beyond a doubt that if God had answered my prayer as requested, my personal struggle would have been over. I would have been in the presence of my Father, face-to-face with the One who died for me and paid the ransom for my sin.
But what about the others?
What about those who haven’t heard? What about my family and friends who haven’t yet accepted the gift of salvation that is offered to them?
What about yours?
That’s when God showed me that my prayer was wrong. My prayer was all about me and how I wanted to escape the world’s troubles.
I was praying for escape, but what He wants is revival.
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
His desire is that we experience revival in our hearts, our families, our churches, our country, and our world. He will return on His timetable, not mine.
And we can be sure the timing of His return will be perfect, not one minute early or one minute late.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
We should be praying for repentance and revival, not for escape from the world.
Who are you praying for?
Grace and peace,
Vonda
