I spent some time over the holidays listening to some biographical material relating to Francis Schaeffer and was significantly impressed to learn that when he became prominent through his million-seller books, he assigned all the royalties from those sales to the entity that embodied his ministry, rather than consuming those resources on himself. That certainly indicates to me that he was looking to God to supply his needs and didn't look at popularity and abundance as an excuse to consume more. I can see how he could have legitimately justified holding some back for his own personal needs, for retirement, for his kids, or even investing it for greater financial return. He chose instead, I understand, to use it to support the ministry he began, and then, continued to write his books at a small table in his small bedroom in his Swiss home.
I was also struck by the fact that in the early days before his prominence, his ministry relied on resources or other solutions that were often delivered in response to specific prayers, just in the nick of time.
As an example, he initially setup his work and established a small church in a predominately catholic canton in Switzerland. The locals were uncomfortable with his protestant views and complained. Ultimately, the government rescinded his visa and gave him sixty days to leave the country. To stay, he needed a specific written and formal invitation from another canton, and a specific place to stay there. He prayed fervently over the two months, but still experienced great frustration and difficulty. Then, on the very day he was to supposed to leave the country, he was invited to a more hospitable canton where he continued his work, the work we all know of today.
God provided by solving the problem, but not until Schaeffer had exerted his best efforts (without success) and then contented himself with whatever result God provided.
I know there are many other examples of this kind of provision in Christian history, but the consistent theme in the stories I know about is not only that God does provide (and that's no small thing in itself), but He often provides after difficulty and frustration and in response to our continuing prayers despite those obstacles. I suspect if difficulty and frustration become an insurmountable obstacle to continuing to pray, that in itself may be an indication that the answer is "no."
I was also struck by the fact that in the early days before his prominence, his ministry relied on resources or other solutions that were often delivered in response to specific prayers, just in the nick of time.
As an example, he initially setup his work and established a small church in a predominately catholic canton in Switzerland. The locals were uncomfortable with his protestant views and complained. Ultimately, the government rescinded his visa and gave him sixty days to leave the country. To stay, he needed a specific written and formal invitation from another canton, and a specific place to stay there. He prayed fervently over the two months, but still experienced great frustration and difficulty. Then, on the very day he was to supposed to leave the country, he was invited to a more hospitable canton where he continued his work, the work we all know of today.
God provided by solving the problem, but not until Schaeffer had exerted his best efforts (without success) and then contented himself with whatever result God provided.
I know there are many other examples of this kind of provision in Christian history, but the consistent theme in the stories I know about is not only that God does provide (and that's no small thing in itself), but He often provides after difficulty and frustration and in response to our continuing prayers despite those obstacles. I suspect if difficulty and frustration become an insurmountable obstacle to continuing to pray, that in itself may be an indication that the answer is "no."
2 comments:
I think this example of faith is appicable to all of our lives and to every situation in which we find ourselves. God does and will provide, and as soon as we internalize this and allow him to do so, we will find real and lasting peace (even when we don't understand a current situation.) I think the key is in praying fervently and then as you say, "contenting ourselves with whatever results God provides" instead of always demanding or expecting some specific result. Of course, we must also remember that "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose."
As for the last point about difficulty and frustration becoming an insurmountable obstacle, I'd like to suggest that instead of that being an no, it may just be an opportunity for us to redirect our prayer. Would you agree?
Re difficulty and frustration.
If by redirecting prayer you mean you stop, yes. I meant that difficulties might be a hurdle to overcome and if you don't have the interest to continue in spite of the hurdle, God is declining your request.
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