Since we started our 517 journey back in January, my prayer life has really been transformed. If you don’t know what 517 is, you can read Michael’s post here.
Every day as I work my way through praying for each of my kids, I find that one of my most consistent prayers has been for my middle son, Cohen, who is 3 and a bundle of fire. He tends to go his own way from time to time, and you’ve probably noticed this at church if you’ve seen him make a beeline for the drums after service. He's even staged a coup, hopped over the security gate, and broken out at least five of his peers (more than once)! That’s my boy!
One of the most consistent prayers I find myself praying is:
“Would you help Cohen to be a man who heeds instruction”
Right now this prayer is most often directed at his inability to obey when my wife, Jackie or I have given him a directive. Sure, I want him to listen to his parents, or grandparents or anyone who has been given authority over his life, but more importantly, I want him to be a man who heeds the instruction of his True Father.
Matthews tells of Jesus speaking to His disciples, preparing them for what ultimately will be His journey to death. Completely counter-culturally, He says in 16:24,
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
What does "deny yourself" mean? The Bible is clear that pride is at the root of all our sin. Pride separates us from God, and God despises it. As a result, we think more of ourselves than we ought. But what Jesus is saying in this passage is:
“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself [STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF] and take up his cross and follow me. [START DOING WHAT I ASK OF YOU RATHER THAN WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR YOURSELF]"
The world's message is all about the self and being completely autonomous. “It’s your life, do what YOU want!” Because we are berated with these messages daily, following Jesus' command becomes all the more difficult.
When it comes to Cohen, I see what’s best for him, have his best interests at heart, and am watching over him to protect him. All I ask is that he follows me and heeds my instruction. It’s similar with God. He sees what’s best for us, has HIS best interests at heart, and is watching over us to protect us. All He asks is that we follow Him and heed His instruction. As we turn away from the things of this world to choose His way, the Father smiles down on us. But just like Cohen can never do anything to lose my love, so it is with God - even when we turn away, He’s still there.
Today, no matter what the world is throwing at you, would you stop and take a moment to pray?
