An Odd Verse Explained

Experiencing answers to prayer can be tricky. I heard it said, “God always answers prayer, it is yes, wait or no”. But never maybe! I know of a church where the prayer list for individuals needing healing never changed. Each week they would pray for healing, but never a testimony was heard that a healing was received. Some were on the prayer list for years. The only way off the list was for them to die. Because of modern medicine, the prayer list continued to grow as those contracting sickness outpaced those who died. The idea of a prayer list was good. The unintended consequence was that unbelief took hold of the church. Nobody really believed that God would actually hear their prayer and heal anyone.

The prayer was more for feeling good about showing love and concern rather than expecting that something actually would happen. When we say, I will pray for you, we may be saying, I love you and want you to know I care. But do we actually believe that God is going to intervene in that person’s life because of our prayers?

When we read John 14, something odd strikes us. Jesus, while in the upper room, knowing these are his last hours on this earth, uses the occasion to teach his disciples on relationship with the Father. To jar them from complacency and indifference, to lift them from disappointment and grief, to launch them out of fear and paralysis - due to the events that were unfolding before them; Jesus said this,  “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)

Many a Christian have lost faith, become bitter, or indifferent in the matter of prayer because of this odd verse. I mean, “do more than Jesus”, this seems impossible. Yet there it is in black and white. What to make of it?

In order to understand and experience the reality of these words, we have to first understand the theme of this chapter. It is relationship. The relationship Jesus had with the Father, the relationship that is possible with the Son and the relationship we have with the Father because of the Son. Prayer is all about relationship. Prayers answered or prayers not answered is not about praying the right or wrong way, having faith or not enough faith, living a perfect life or struggling with temptations; No, it is about a living and transparent connection with God the Father through his Son Jesus Christ. When that is happening, this verse goes from being an oddity to a reality. Relationship first, then the miraculous, is always the pattern. 

This Sunday, I will be sharing on the topic of answers and non-answers to prayer. Join with me for this encouraging and life-giving message. Many are facing great hardships, challenges, and an uncertain future. This is a perfect message for them. Why not invite your friends, neighbors and family to join with us. See you on Zoom and Facebook.

Sunday Meeting

Kootenay Christian Fellowship has two different options to participate in Online Sunday Service and we hope to find you at one of them. Both will begin at 10:30am:

• Join us on Facebook Live @ Kootenay Christian Fellowship Facebook page; or
• For a more personalized experience where we can view and interact with one another find us on Zoom (if you would like to chat before service, simply check into Zoom early – we will be there visiting at 10am).

If you are not familiar with Zoom, feel free to contact us directly for guidance and we will be happy to help you. 250.352.1722.

Here is the Zoom link and Meeting ID to join us: 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84408696211

Meeting ID: 844 0869 6211

One tap mobile

+17789072071,,84408696211# Canada

+12042727920,,84408696211# Canada

Dial by your location

        +1 778 907 2071 Canada

For those who may not have internet availability, use your phone to call in on One Tap Mobile to the Zoom meeting. 

We are looking forward to connecting with you on Sunday if not before.

You can also find us on YouTube (posted afterwards) at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT9GnRlN0fPZdvqmaUV_LA

Subscribe to our channel while you are there.

When you visit us on Facebook, like and follow please, here is the link

https://www.facebook.com/kootenaychristianfellowshipnelsonbc

Jim Reimer, Pastor

January 21, 2021