I was arrested by the story of the loaves and fishes recently. What a shock for the disciples ... all those baskets of food left over, after handing over just five loaves and two fish. I could see the big smile on Jesus' face. I think he chuckled a lot at the reactions of people when he did miracles!
But how did this place of need and concern become a place of abundance? ("Enough to give away..." has long been our prayer - 2 Cor.9:11)I began to see a series of prayers there in this story.
First the prayer for compassion. When Jesus saw the crowds he felt compassion. He had gone to a remote place to get a rest! But the crowds had followed... and he had compassion and taught them and healed them.
We need to ask for such compassion. The disciples had concern...'What are we to do with them?' but not yet compassion. Compassion leads us to give of ourselves, to cry out to the Father to make us able to give more. It will take us to places we would not always choose, but we will go because compassion compels us. It will cause us to seek for innovative ways to meet the needs of others. It will make us a seeking, praying person. Let us cry out for the compassion of Jesus to flood our hearts for those we are to serve.
Then there is the prayer of helplessness. Jesus said to them 'You feed them!' What! How could they - it would cost a fortune. They felt helpless. John's gospel says this was a test from Jesus. Would they spin out - or would they look to him for the answer? There is a prayer we can pray in our helpless times. It is found in 2 Chronicles 20. In a time a national crisis, facing a crushing defeat, King Jehoshaphat cries out at the end of verse 12 "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
This prayer opens the way to miracles. As long as we look for a natural solution we will not be able to receive his supernatural one. "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." What a great prayer!
He took away their confusion by saying 'What do you have? Give it to me.' This seems to be his frequent request of us. 'Just give me what you have - no matter how little it is.' Then they hand over the little lunch they have. Surrender. Putting our all in his hands. Very simple, but often very hard. Why? Because it requires a deep trust. We feel we will lose something - but the reality is that our lives - every bit of them, are safer in his hands than ours. We have bought into the oldest of lies that we cannot trust God. Renounce that lie - and rest everything in his safest of hands. Pray the prayer of surrender.
Also what we need to believe is that what we have in our hands is enough... IF IT IS PUT IN HIS HANDS. It is not what we can do – it is what HE can do through what we put in his hands. And it is more than we can imagine. That's his promise.
Then there is a prayer from Jesus - he blesses the food - and it multiplies. He lifted it up to the Father and it became enough for thousands. He does this over and over as lives are laid down for his Kingdom's sake. One little life can feed thousands... and bring thousands into new life with him. We have to get out of the mentality that we are just one little insignificant life. No! No! No! We have the Lord of Life within us... so great multiplying is possible - if we have his compassion, if we own our helplessness, if we surrender all into his hands... then the blessing and sharing can begin.
What an amazing God we have - what a compassionate Father - what a marvellous Lord Jesus - what a shepherding Spirit who leads us into all truth and great fruitfulness.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
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