Difficult Discipleship

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" -Matthew 28:19 (NIV)

Help is relative. I find this to be true in all aspects of life. When you think you might be offering what  YOU CONSIDER to be help for someone, they may perceive that you are not or at least not to their expectations. This experience has been observed with my kids (I clean their room and they get mad I "messed it up", at work (a patient who wants "help" but is unwilling to adhere to the recommendations of the doctor) and in ministry (you offer discipleship and relationship but the recipient doesn't want to submit, to change or simply doesn't want what you are offering). 

I love this scene in Jerry McGuire. Both men are frustrated and expect the other to understand their own perspective. It's a great "clip" of humanity and the difficulty of relationships. Both are men are invested, but neither one is hearing what the other one needs or wants. Relationships are rarely easy and I would argue, if it comes too easy then you are not being vulnerable or honest enough in or about that relationship. The truth is we all have something, and I would contend MUCH, to learn and relationships, specifically in marriage and in the fellowship of believers, are intended to offer a balance of gifts, perspectives, experience and leadership. Without differences...life is bland, boring and is often lacking perspective or growth. No one goes to a school where the teacher is no more educated than the student. We pursue to learn and get help from those who've studied, those who've practiced and those who know more than ourselves.

What I've observed, so far in my recent experiences, is there are those who ONLY want to be led and those who DON'T want to be led at all. You're probably thinking...duh. But real relationship and discipleship require both. If we just sit around waiting for someone to tell us what to do in our spiritual life, we never learn to decipher the Spirit's voice for ourselves. If we refuse to seek wise and Godly (those two words being key here) counsel and listen to it or flat out refuse to obey the clear commands of scripture , then we miss out on learning...miss out on growing and place ourselves, our desires and our thoughts as an idol before the Lord. 

I share this because I see myself in both the men in this clip. I am frustrated because I long to encourage women for Christ but find that currently, not many want that. I also find that there are very few women who feel it is their responsibility to lead/disciple, even in a sinmple relationship. Our society is generally coming from place of "make me feel better", "make me look better"...but "don't make it hard" and "don't make me change". That's true of the old and young. It's true of the leaders and the followers. Sometimes, it's true of me. 

Let me be clear that it is Christ who works in us to draw out change in us and for His purposes. It is His Spirit inside of us that compels us to even desire it. So, what does that mean for us in the body and in the realm of discipleship? 

This question has and is still clouding my mind. I believe God's Word is clear that we should be:
1. Speaking the Truth of His Word to unbelievers.
2. Instructing and equipping the believers to do the same
3. Being in fellowship and submitting ourselves to Christ and those He has placed in leadership over us

Sitting in church once a week does not fall into these categories. Spending time with people who are only like-minded friends does not either. 

I do not have this all figured out myself. I confess that I struggle with evangelism to the lost. I confess my fear and pride keep me from stepping out most times. BUT, my affections are for Christ and His people and I'm learning how He can use my failings for His glory. The obvious ways to do this is to be in His Word, in prayer BUT the less traveled path by people in the church is to be in genuine discipleship with someone, both in submission to someone AND as an example or guide to someone else. 

I pray for women who genuinely want this. Women who want to lead and women who want to be led. I'm tired of being frustrated yelling out "Help me Help you!!" 

Lord, I need You. I pray for the work of your Spirit to inspire me to seek you more, to be submissive and to see people who desire true discipleship....true discipleship. You're Word and Spirit are complete and I know Lord you do not need my help, but Your Word tells us to be obedient in these areas and God, I pray for a response. Not to me. But to you. I pray that Your Spirit would compel in myself and in other women to desire this and be willing to take a step outside their comfort zone and be vulnerable. Father, I know this will hurt and it may not look like I envision, but I ask that you give me more of You so that I can be faithful to the call. I need courage and I need a patience from you that I do NOT have on my own. I pray for humility and for a heart that loves others more than myself. I ask God that I would have a heart of worship for YOU. 

Amen

Chapter Eight- Intercessory Prayer

                                                Becoming A Woman Of Prayer-Online Study

Chapter Eight-

Intercessory Prayer

(Becoming A Woman Of Prayer, © Cynthia Heald, June 2005.  Used by permission of NavPress, all rights reserved.  www.navpress.com)

"Make this your common practice; Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with."

JAMES 5:16, MSG

How apropos is it that our study today, the day after the presidential election, is on intercessory prayer? On a day when a large portion of the posts, articles and statements made have to do with the celebration or the disappointment with the outcome and the absolutes being claimed for or against our re-elected president, I feel it's very timely. While I don't agree with many of the politics our President supports, I feel no fear because a.) I exercised my right to vote and more importantly b.) I put my hope, my faith and my words, not in a man but in my God and how He commands me to respond and live. In light of any result, Scripture calls us to pray for our government and leaders. This is intercessory prayer. 

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." - 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-2 (NIV)

The Equipped Intercessor. (1)

You may feel like you are ill-equipped to pray for others because you are too "broken" yourself. You may pray more for others that spending time seeking God's face for yourself. God already provides so much through prayer, isn't it ridiculous to think we can only do one or the other? 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."  -EPHESIANS  6:10-18 (NIV)

Any strength we pray for comes from our God. He reminds us that this is war and He tells us to suit up with His truth, His gift of salvation, His Word...to put on HIM for our defense. How does that happen but through prayer...? Praying on all occasions...for all the Lord's people. He covers our brokenness and our failures with His armor He provides. Then asks us to pray for each other. 

The Committed Intercessor. (2)

Paul prayed fervently for the Church as a whole and for specific churches. 

"Paul did not pray that they be spared suffering. Nor did he request that material wealth be added to their spiritual zeal. He said nothing about illness, or healing or better jobs, or any of those things for which we pray and ask others to pray on our behalf. Such requests are not always inappropriate, but we see that Paul considered spiritual wisdom, knowledge, and enlightenment of greater value." 
-C. Samuel Storms (3)

Cynthia points us to John, Chapter 17 where Christ prays and intercedes on our behalf. We've already learned that the Spirit also intercedes for us. Our God himself, is committed to the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6). Cynthia challenges us to pick a person and commit to pray for them (4)...I would add that you write down each person that God brings to your heart that needs prayer. That can be for prayer for salvation, for wisdom, for strength, for a tangible personal need and pray over it at least once this week and aim for once a week. If this feels too overwhelming, then do this...when God brings someone to your mind...pray for them, right then. When you promise someone you will pray for them, do it right there on the spot. I know I am guilty of promising to pray...then forgetting. I don't want  my words to be false empty promises. God's promises aren't empty...His promises are true.  

Maybe you've experienced a time when someone prayed for you and you were given strength or wisdom or provision that you needed. Maybe you haven't. Are you committed to a body of believers or an intimate group of people that would even know how to pray for you? Do you have people who will hold their Shields of Faith over you in your life? Are you equipped? Are you committed? We've been learning about prayer...are you practicing it? If we believe God's words to be true, if we believe He is capable, why DON'T we pray? 

This weeks challenge: 
Pray, when God brings someone to mind, in real time. 
Pray for our country. 
Find women to connect with and share your heart with people you trust. I was challenged lately that "confessing our sins to one another" is more than just confessing our sins, it's revealing how we struggle, that we struggle and that we are "not ok" when we are "not ok". News Flash: none of us are "ok". We all need Christ. Every. Single. Day. So we pray to gain more intimacy with him and on behalf of each other. 

Lord Jesus, Thank you for making us "ok" before the Father. Thank you for providing an intercessor on our own behalf and for loving us so much to be our Provision, our Sustenance and our Savior. Forgive me for my history of good intentions with no actions. Lead me Lord, to pray for your people, to pray for the lost and the hurting and to offer them over to YOU for YOU ARE GOOD. YOU ARE GOD. Give me the eyes to see the need, hears to hear the the hurts and a heart that gives love and mercy that flows from You! Teach me to be more vulnerable. Teach me to pray and live honestly and openly. To God be the Glory, now and evermore.... Amen

**See the previous post for a schedule for the remainder of this study and a preview into January 2013!


(1-4) Becoming A Woman Of Prayer, © Cynthia Heald, June 2005.  Used by permission of NavPress, all rights reserved.  www.navpress.com