A Word for Our Arbor Family
Do your relationships tend to be transactional? Are they conditional, based on your perception of received value? Do you keep a scorecard of what you’ve done for others and what you’ve received from them, almost like a bank register of expenses and deposits? Those who value this type of relationship tend to offer affection, attention, or support only when something is received in return. Pastor Adam has mentioned our fleshly tendency towards transactional relationships, especially in our relationship with God.
There’s nothing like a fasting and prayer season to pull out these motives! It is so easy for our thoughts to become “I fasted, so now You, in turn, should answer my prayers.” And “I am praying often, so now I have favor with You and feel worthy of You answering my prayers.”
Everything God does for us and through us is for our benefit and the benefit of His Kingdom. He loves us! It is in His nature to care for us. When He gives us something to do—like Fasting, Prayer, Bible Study, and Worship—these are NOT ways to strive for His approval and favor. They are tools for our benefit. I would compare it to kids doing their homework. They could see it as a system for earning our approval rather than what it is truly meant to be—a tool for their education and growth. There usually are rewards for getting good grades, and there is excitement and praise, but that’s not why we ask them to do the work. The work prepares them. So it is with Fasting and Prayer. It is a tool to equip you to deny your flesh and a way to draw closer to God and become more sensitive to His leading.
So let's throw out the register and tally system we’ve been using to record “transactions,” attempting to improve our rating in His eyes, and instead enjoy this time with Him and the tools He has given us for success.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -Matthew 26:41
There’s nothing like a fasting and prayer season to pull out these motives! It is so easy for our thoughts to become “I fasted, so now You, in turn, should answer my prayers.” And “I am praying often, so now I have favor with You and feel worthy of You answering my prayers.”
Everything God does for us and through us is for our benefit and the benefit of His Kingdom. He loves us! It is in His nature to care for us. When He gives us something to do—like Fasting, Prayer, Bible Study, and Worship—these are NOT ways to strive for His approval and favor. They are tools for our benefit. I would compare it to kids doing their homework. They could see it as a system for earning our approval rather than what it is truly meant to be—a tool for their education and growth. There usually are rewards for getting good grades, and there is excitement and praise, but that’s not why we ask them to do the work. The work prepares them. So it is with Fasting and Prayer. It is a tool to equip you to deny your flesh and a way to draw closer to God and become more sensitive to His leading.
So let's throw out the register and tally system we’ve been using to record “transactions,” attempting to improve our rating in His eyes, and instead enjoy this time with Him and the tools He has given us for success.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -Matthew 26:41