Nil Credum? (10.25.21–You Have To Pray! –Ephesians 6:18)
My friend, may I ask you a question? When you think about it, is how do you look at prayer? Do you really believe God can or will do all things; or are you really a cynic at heart?
My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I'm M. Clifford Brunner.
Holly and I were cleaning out some boxes of books in our attic recently when I ran across a copy of an old Latin text from school days long gone by. It had been a long time since I had cracked that binding so I took a couple of moments to thumb through the well-worn pages. On the top of one of them I noted an inscription I had made over 50 years ago: "Nil credam et omnia cavebo." After all of these years my Latin is pretty rusty but a rough translation is: "Believe nothing, guard against everything." As I put the book down it struck me how cynical I must have been in my teen years. Was I that distrustful of all things or just some things? I'm glad that time has taken the edge off my cynicism.
When you think about it, is that often the way you and I look at prayer? Do we really believe God can or will do all things; or are we really cynics at heart?
Here's a story: A miracle occurred years ago at the Pacific Garden Mission of Chicago, which got its start in the 1880s, when a notorious saloon called the Pacific Beer Garden was leased by a sweet Christian couple, George and Sarah Clarke. Dropping the word Beer, they added the word Mission and launched a ministry to downtrodden men and women. In the early years, they bore the cost of the work themselves, but the ministry's growth depleted their funds. Eventually they couldn't pay the rent, and had only twenty-four hours to make payment; otherwise they would lose their lease. Praying through the night, they reminded the Lord of the lives being saved. Emerging from their house at daybreak, they gasped. Their yard was blanketed with rare mushrooms of the highest quality, though it wasn't the season for them. Gathering the crop, they carted the mushrooms to the Palmer House and sold them to the chefs for enough money to pay the rent. Years later, Mrs. Clarke, commenting on the experience, said, "No mushrooms were ever seen there before-nor any since." (Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.)
The Bible says: "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers . . ." (Ephesians 6:18). Mushrooms? I guess they qualify as a legitimate answer to a prayer request. The skeptic might frown at the odds and likelihood, especially if he were convinced that even a Christian ought first to "believe nothing." I kind of grew up with that attitude toward modern day miracles myself. Perhaps that explains the notation in my Latin book. But after nearly 70 years of getting to know the awesomeness of God, I'm far more ready now to believe than be on guard. Prayer works when we choose to believe it does. Besides, skepticism is far more likely to kill mushrooms than to pay the rent. I'll take believing any time. Thanks!
We pray. Heavenly Father, as a skeptic might we often find ourselves frowning at the odds and likelihood of things to happen, especially if he were convinced that even a Christian ought first to "believe nothing." Many of us have grown up with that attitude toward modern day miracles. Forgive us Lord when we become skeptics even of our own prayers. But after years of getting to know the awesomeness of our God, we ought to be ready to believe rather than be skeptical. Prayer works when we choose to believe it does. Besides, skepticism is far more likely to kill mushrooms than to pay the rent. I'll take believing any time. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.