Can You Help Me, God?

PE003 10.21.07

I believe in the power of prayer. Period.

But I also believe some of our prayers just echo around.

Remember when Jesus sent his disciples out on their missionary journey, two-by-two? They were told what to take with them and what to do if no one received them and so-forth. They realized they could preach, teach and heal just as Jesus had been doing.

Neat, huh?

When they returned, scripture says they reported on all they had seen and done. I would liked to have been a fly on a tree branch listening to all that. I wonder how long it took twelve guys to report on all they had seen and done?

And then they become tired and need for the folks who’ve gathered around, a pretty large crowd, to give them some space. Perhaps they’re hungry. Perhaps one of the disciples could go into town or even sent one of the crowd into town to get some groceries.

Jesus says, “You feed them. You give them something to eat.”

Literally or figuratively?

But the guys continue to beg away from directly interacting with the crowd.

And thus the feeding of the five thousand.

Jesus did something for that group of people which the disciples could have done for themselves.

Why the miracle? Were these people emaciated or starving as they gathered beside the only sweet water lake in the region? Was that little boy the only one with sense enough to bring a bag lunch?

Jesus did something which the disciples could have done.

And I think sometimes that when we send off our prayers to God and Jesus there’s a similar theological traffic jam. God throws it back to us.

“Hey- I’ve given you the Holy Spirit, and my Son has informed you that ‘these things and greater than these shall you do in my name,’… (Qualtitatively or quantitatively?) You have a faith which can move mountains. Quit running to me for things which you ought to be able to take care of yourselves.”

And then someone chimes in that God’s does answer all prayer. You know, God’s answer is yes, or no, or some kind of silence.

Some strange echo…

- Keith