darling charles ender

We welcomed Charles Ender Trivits into our world just two weeks ago, but it's difficult to imagine life again without him.  He is as consistently calm and charming as Daphne was at this age.  This bodes well.  I don't want to jinx myself, but it's seeming as if we have twice struck gold.  We feel so very blessed.

His birth, as you may or may not have heard, was not without incident.  I labored for 24 hours (when Daphne's was, from start to finish, just SIX hours).  He was nine pounds (when my doctor told me he'd be about the size of Daph at birth, who was almost three pounds lighter).  All that is excusable, though.  The part that gets me about his birth was that a few things went wrong right at the end.  He was coming out at the wrong angle.  The cord was wrapped around his neck and arm.  The doctor's expression changed from excitement to concern, and she reached in and yanked him out by the shoulder.  He laid there for a moment or two without moving or breathing.  

These moments, though probably only a matter of seconds, must have felt like an eternity to Kevin (who was watching and experiencing this trauma in a way that I, strangely, was spared).  After Charles finally began to cry, the nurses quickly cut his cord and whisked him to his little warming station.  I knew something was wrong at that point, because Kevin had been asked if he'd like to cut the cord.  At that point, the doctor and nurses were calm and tending to me, so it seemed to me all was fine.  Kevin, though, had seen something that left him in shock, filled with horror.  It took a while for him to realize that our child was alive and well, and not dead, as he must have looked when the doctor laid him down after pulling his arm (and eventually, his body) free.  

Later that night, as I sat holding Charles and listening to Kevin process what he had experienced, I remembered Charles' passage of scripture.  

Side note: When Daphne was born, we did the same thing -- prayerfully consider a passage of the Bible that we believe applies to the life she would lead.  Hers is Isaiah 55, which says, briefly, "You shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."  We believe she is a ray of joy, beaming into the world, for the purpose of spreading the love and peace of God wherever she goes.  

The scripture we had chosen for Charles is also from the prophet Isaiah, based on the meaning of his name.  Charles means "freed man", and Ender (or Andrew) means "strong man".  His passage says, in Isaiah 45:

Thus says the Lord to his anointed,

whose right hand I have grasped;

to subdue nations before him,

and to loose the belt of kings,

to open doors before him

that gates may not be closed.

I have stirred him up in righteousness,

and I will make all his ways level;

he shall build my city

and set my exiles free.

As I recalled those verses, I was struck by the phrase, "Whose right hand I have grasped."  The doctor had pulled him, yanked him free, by his right hand.  I don't mean to get all mushy and sentimental here, but I am truly convinced that God led us to this passage for a reason, and I have full confidence that God has a life of freedom and redemption in store for Charles Ender, little though he may be.  It begins now.  God's purpose and his plan are already established.  And I find incredible comfort in that.

so, we wait

"Think about the things you can do - how flexible your life is right now! 

Do you really think you're financially stable?
You've only been married two years!

"This is how I imagine people will respond to me saying that my heart breaks when each month rolls around, and I am still not a mother. When I see pictures of new moms and their babies, expectant ones with their enormous tummies, I despair. I know I'm not alone in this feeling of sorrow, but good discussion is not really happening, either. But it's starting. Think of this as a companion piece to this one, written by my best friend and true confidant through times like this. I'm following her lead.

"On this topic, I don't speak up; I'm not brave. It's as if I'm ashamed of this "inability". There shouldn't be shame: it's a godly sorrow. I'm like Hannah in 1 Samuel. She went to the temple "deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly." Month after month, I feel as though I am literally pouring out my soul to God, with the assurance of faith that He will answer. Months come and go, yet I have no reply except to wait. So, we wait."

I wrote that last year... the day before we found out we were pregnant with Daphne.  And now, as I read it, aching and weepy due to the memory - and the fact that I'm eleven weeks pregnant with Baby Triv #2 - I'm overwhelmed with the fact that life is full of mystery and anticipation.

What an appropriate theme for this season.  Anticipation and Advent go hand-in-hand.  The mystery of the coming of God as a tiny infant human; the anticipation of the universe as all is to be set right. As this is the first time I've lived the Christmas season expecting a child, the beauty is remarkably real to me.

2014 has not been an easy year for us.  There have been extreme highs (primarily because Daphne radiates joy) but also significant lows and disappointments.  Events have made us despair of our desire to live in an often cold and distant state (emotionally and geographically, haha), caused us to doubt God's purpose and calling, and feel like failures in ministry and relationships.  When our things were stolen (though some were eventually returned) we lost hope in the justice system and felt the despair of not having our cause heard and upheld.  I hope I'm not overdramatizing the year we've experienced - I realize we are better off than others - it's just that the hardships we've been through are nothing like I imagined life to be.  God answered our heartbroken prayers for a child, and now we anticipate His healing of this past year.  He will continue, mysteriously, to works things out for our good and His glory.

So, we wait.

We wait for this chapter to end.

We wait for the day when we will be taken care of as a family, protected by a community if not by the law enforcement, acknowledged for our obedience to a call to ministry.  This may not be what God has in mind for us, even in this lifetime, but still we wait.  We anticipate the day that all is to be set right.   Come, Lord Jesus!

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, 

we do not lose heart.

...

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; 

perplexed, but not in despair; 

persecuted, but not abandoned; 

struck down, but not destroyed.

...

Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us 

an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, 

since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:1, 8-9, 16-18 NIV

everything has changed: or, i have plenty to be thankful for

Happy Thanksgiving from the Trivits family!

I know it's typically at the end of the year that we reflect and "see how far we've come" and all that, but it seems all too appropriate to express thanks on the day that's set aside specially for giving thanks.  We have been so very blessed this year - in some crazy and unexpected ways.

It has been monnnnnths since I've posted, and that's because I was in the midst of transitions.  A lot of 'em.  And I've been processing through them.  Mostly to myself.  Or, mostly to Kevin.

Some of these transitions you probably know about.  Like being me being pregnant.  It was a textbook pregnancy (barring that hiccup of PUPPs at the end that seemed to signal my imminent labor).  But in the span of those nine months, Kevin and I have moved twice; had a total of three roommates, a slew of visitors; had issues with finances tax-related, tire-related, rent-related; had changes in our work situations, good and bad; had highs and extreme lows in ministry; and have strained to keep our marriage a priority throughout it all.  Bear in mind, all this with my overload of hormones and a natural bent toward deep introversion.  

I stopped singing.  I stopped reading.  I stopped journaling. I stopped trying.  I watched Friends for hours upon hours.  I cleaned like I was certifiable.  I sulked and whimpered and lamented the state of things.  I tried to buck up.  I tried to power through.  I tried to submit to God's will, which clearly all of these transitions were.  I tried to be transparent with Kevin and my close friends.  I tried to be an understanding, gracious, loving person.  But I just wasn't… feeling it.  During this time of huge transition, in this regard, nothing changed.  I had a bad attitude, secretly or not-so-secretly, for nine months.  

Then, a week before our precious miracle, Daphne Rose, was born, I realized that none of this was me.  None of this was mine.  Not my house(s), not my time, not my money, not my job, not my ministry, not my friendships, not my space, and not my will.  These are things that are given to me; I'm a sort of steward not owner of these gifts, responsible for using them for others not selfishly hoarding them till I see fit.  Nothing is mine.  

And for this, I am grateful.  It takes all the pressure off, doesn't it?  When I don't have to question how I "use my resources"?  It's answered for me.  Use them for others.  God gives me permission to bend over backward for people: it's not just something I'm allowed to do when I'm on the clock at Starbucks, where customer service is actually everything.  I'm allowed to serve others without reservation, without expectation of return, and without thought for my personal convenience, or even happiness.  

This newfound understanding was the pièce de résistance to my nesting.  This home is prepared, as much as it can be, for the arrival of our daughter.  And by home, I - of course - mean myself.  If I'm not willing to sacrifice all for this child, what am I doing with this life?  Who am I?

So, I am overwhelmingly grateful.

I'm grateful for the transitions.

I'm grateful for the hardships.

I'm grateful for a husband who stands up to me, prods me, but doesn't take my feelings for granted.

I'm grateful for a healthy, beautiful, precious baby girl (I can't get enough of her! Thanks for letting me plaster your newsfeeds with so many pictures)!

I'm grateful for learning experiences: roommates, financial decisions, and communication with friends.

I'm grateful for supportive family members and friends who in turn encourage and admonish me.

I'm grateful for times to reflect, evaluate, redirect, and move forward.

Now, as I look toward the end of the year, Kevin and I are settling down in our home sans roommate, avec baby.  After nine months of transition, we are landing somewhere.  Settling down.  And we are receiving blessing upon blessing with the understanding that it's all for the purpose of giving it away.

 And now, another picture of my adorable little pink princess.  Just for fun.  :)

baby triv

Baby Trivits!

Due Nov 18!

(Lord willing!)

As you may or may not have seen or heard, Kevin and I are expecting!  We are incredibly excited and are absolutely overjoyed/overwhelmed that God would bless and trust us with this enormous responsibility.  

I realize a blog post is neither necessary nor consequential to many/most/all of you... but I wanted to give a heads up as to what you can expect from me, an expectant mother (oh, wow).  Or maybe, rather, what you can not expect.

Please do not expect me to post:

Tummy pictures... (monthly, or ever - yuck! I'm doing you a favor.)

Ultrasound pictures... (although I know my mom already posted one... I'll let that one slide... haha)

Any gratuitous statuses about cravings, morning sickness, and babies babies babies... (one of my goals for this year was to cut down on "public" complaining/whining, and I know no one cares that all I really want to eat is apple sauce and oatmeal.)

Don't get me wrong, I realize that it is good and healthy and appropriate and exciting to gush your newfound joy over being pregnant and the thought of having a child in the near future.  But seeing friend after pregnant friend plastering their news (and, may I say, rather personal and private business) all over facebook while until very recently, Kevin and I had struggled with the fact that we - seemingly - were not able to have a baby... it's actually rather hurtful.  I know I still have plenty of friends in that stage (waiting to conceive), and those who are struggling through/with infertility.  I want to be so very, very sensitive to that.  

It's ironic that two weeks ago, I was in the process of writing a blog about our inability to conceive, addressing those of you who rather indiscreetly and carelessly (however unintentionally) "gloat" over your blessed news... and the day after, I discovered I was pregnant.  So, while that blog will not be posted, I hope that the spirit of it is clearly established.

Basically, I don't want to be an annoying pregnant girl who rubs it in the faces of all I'm friends with.  I don't want to clog up a newsfeed.  I don't want to cause anyone to despair because I'm in a different situation than they are. 

But, all that being said, PLEASE:  Congratulate us!  Pray for us!  Rejoice with us!  But... do it in person.  Or send me a text or email or handwritten card!  Let's be more personal with all this personal stuff.  

Soli Deo Gloria!

faretheewell

This morning, I am saddened to hear the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI: a man I believe to be a truly great Christian leader, with such influence, in this ever-darkening world.  Having read his Jesus of Nazareth trilogy this past year, I found myself inspired by his compassion and heart for the world, his devotion to Scripture and orthodoxy, and his personal relationship with his Savior Jesus Christ.  

Having not paid much attention to the former bishop of Rome (to my detriment, I think; I was young, not denominationally Catholic, etc), I'm sorry that I cannot speak to Pope John Paul II's greatness.  However, I do know that the Church is losing yet another godly man as shepherd in Joseph Ratzinger.  I pray that the man who succeeds him will be in the same spirit and direction.

2013 Goals and Resolutions

Oh Calvin.  You get me.

But seriously, I have such a hard time with goals.  Meeting goals, that is.  Making them is fairly easy.  I get distracted.  I unprioritize and reprioritize.  I get lazy.  I don't wanna read x amount of books, or write x amount of sonnets.  Let's see how this year goes, then, when I make goals that are less easily measured.

1. Talk on the phone more, and in doing so, defeat my fear of the thing.
2. Stop saying the word "annoying", and in doing so, be less easily annoyed.  (It's good in theory.)
3. Do not complain, whine, or gossip.  Ever.  (Except maybe to Kevin.  That's basically like talking to myself.)
4. Finish all the books I left half-done in 2012.  There are quite a few of 'em.
5. Read more fiction.
6. Read more classics.
7. Play and teach piano.  (Seriously.  This one is happening, and I'm a bit nervous about it!)
8. Take voice lessons again.  (Yikes!  If I can find the time for it, I wanna make this one happen!)
9. Move into a house!
10. Be a better wife and friend.
11. Support and encourage Kevin.  (Sometimes I forget he has to verbally process and dream.)
12. Write more letters.
13. Spend more structured time praying and in the Scriptures.
14. Be more assertive.
15. Stand up straighter.
16. Be more active.
17. Cook more, and learn to bake.
18. Be spontaneous.
19. Watch less TV.
20. Don't take short-cuts out of laziness.

"Gay is the new black" v. Chick-fil-a

I read two articles today.
They happened to be on a topic I am wrestling through as I hope to find the appropriate, loving, Christian response.
Read them.  Think through these things with me.  Pray about it.  I'm going to, too.

One: Gay Is Not the New Black
Two: Moreno lays an egg opposing Chick-fil-A
(For whatever reason, the Chicago Tribune site isn't letting me link it properly... so you might have to google "Chick fil A" and it's currently the top news story. Sigh.)

what to do when.

I wrote this somewhat depressing post a couple of weeks ago... and thought it would be all right to share now.  I think it's important to see that other people struggle, too.  Have you ever felt like this?

.

.

.

I asked God for something.  He answered.  And I'm... disappointed.

Has this ever happened to you before?  Do you know what I'm talking about?  Let me explain.

Sometimes I pray for things, with a certain expectation in mind.  He responds with 'yes', 'no', or 'wait', right?  That's what we're trained from an early age to receive from God.  Well.  What are you to do when He responds yes, but that yes looks absolutely different from the yes you had in mind?

Lately, I'm struggling to adjust to that idea: that this must be for the best, because God gave it to me.  And yet, I'm so incredibly hurt.  There are (give or take) a million verses that I know by rote that fill my mind - almost literally, like pop-ups on the desktop of my brain.  But they advertise something that I don't want to buy, or am not interested in, or will not bring satisfaction into this situation.  I believe them, because they are true... but I believe them in the sense that I believe Washington was America's first president, that Shakespeare wrote histories and tragedies and comedies, that Michigan became a state in 1837.  I know these factoids to be true, but what does it matter?  The verses that pop up are just factoids.

Did you know?  

In all things, God works for the good of those that love Him 

and have been called according to His purpose!

Guess what!

God knows the plans He has for you! 

Plans to prosper you & not to harm you! 

Plans to give you a hope and a future!

Hey! 

God gives good gifts!

Yes, thank you, I did know that.  Fascinating.  Thanks for the reminder.  But what does that look like for me right now, today, in my life that is undergoing tough and unexpected change?

I realize this sounds cynical.  But I am all too often the optimist.  I am really good at relying on God.  Truly.  But particularly when I ask Him for something specific, and He delivers, but... it's either not what I really wanted, or He, strangely, gave me the wrong side of the coin.  Those of you reading this who know me know this isn't me.  And that's half the struggle.  I don't feel like myself.

Another teaching that's been ingrained in me since before I could grasp any of the reality of the Gospel is that faith is not a feeling.  Yes, right now, I feel somewhat empty and bare.  Like a vacuum, really: any truth that I read or hear or feel just doesn't seem to stick.  It gets lost.  I know that what God requires is obedience, faithfulness despite the obstacles and the feelings that come along with living in a broken world, in broken bodies, with broken minds and hearts.  It's about obedience, blindly following Him and His word.  But, God... it hurts.  You answered yes, and I wanna take it back.

being light

At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in 

all that is good and right and true)

and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-16

Remember this post? It is in the same spirit that I reflect on my attitudes and behavior now, just a few weeks later.  I think it's right and good to have checkpoints for yourself.  Otherwise, how can progress be made?

Just as I proactively guard what I expose myself to (whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, etc), and how that affects my thought-life, I've got to monitor what my outward actions - my "walk" - looks like.  How will anyone know that I am in the light if the only light that I let affect me is all in my head?  It's got to manifest itself outwardly!  Others should be able to see a difference!

And lately, I fear that has not been the case.

I fear that I love too much about my life to really let God be God. That (mis)placement messes everything up.  If I don't let God have His place of sovereignty - of authority - in my life, I put myself and my desires in His place.  Actions follow mindset.  I do not, therefore, obey God, but myself and what I want and think is best for my life (read: selfishness, sinfulness, pride).  And how can that but manifest itself in my behavior?  I do really well sometimes, in submitting to God's will, but lately I haven't been satisfied in that.  I want more.  It doesn't really matter more of what, exactly... but my state of discontentedness is not consistent with a lifestyle of light.  

One of my favorite psalms of David (one that I go back to time and time again for conviction, for comfort, for wisdom, and for encouragement) is Psalm 16.  Hear what he has to say about this.

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you."

The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:1-2, 5-6, 11

Do I believe that?

Do I truly believe that He is the only good I have?  Do I believe that He is enough?  That He is the way to peace and joy?  That pleasure, even, is found only in Him and the things that He gives?  That He has shown me the path that I must walk, and has made me capable of walking that way?  

Along with guarding myself from the worldview portrayed by the media, I have to choose to choose God above myself and what I naturally desire, what I think will bring me satisfaction and pleasure.  

I must "set the LORD always before me; 

[and] because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken!" 

Psalm 16:8

Then, and only then, can I live a life apart.  Only then can people see my life, my walk, my attitudes and behavior and say that I am and child of light.  I love the quote attributed to Ghandi: Be the change you wish to see in the world.  Only then, can I be that change.  Left to my own devices, I am nothing if not incapable.

al fine: goals for 2011

2011 is over.  Officially.  Care to see how I did on my goals for this year?

1) journal weekly (in my journal, not my blog)
2) teach like I mean it—student teaching was rough, but I can say with confidence that I started each day as if it were on purpose! And now that I'm working at Evergreen Academy, many more opportunities!!
3) graduate PBU (get certified, succeed as a teacher, all that jazz)
4) see an obscene number of friends get married!—and still so many coming up!
5) move away (pref. to Colorado!)--we're here!!  
6) twice a month, write a letter to a different dear (if distant) friend—yes!  I've gotten better at this one since the half-way mark!  I love love writing (and receiving!) letters of encouragement! 
7) get a piano—an electric piano counts.  I guess.
8) learn 5 new pieces by Chopin—I've *begun* learning two.  Shoot, I'll work on this one!
9) read (and appreciate!) a Russian novel--I read Crime and Punishment this summer.  "Read"-check.  "Appreciate"-...I'll let you know.
10) finish reading the works of Shakespeare in its entirety!--Will have to finish next year....
11) write something worth reading--this is up for debate.  
12) go hiking & camping with Kevin on a mountain--hiking, yes.  Camping, no.  
13) see sunset and sunrise on said mountain
14) learn to knit and/or crochet
15) research Trivits heritage
16) learn German… begin learning German--I downloaded a podcast that was supposed to teach you German.  I didn't make it far, but I made an effort!

17) learn to cook - not really Julie & Julia style, but kinda
18) give people the benefit of the doubt, every time
19) learn and play a number of different card games
20) acquire painting supplies, use said supplies

21) learn to love Kevin more than I love myself; support him; dream with him (aka be an awesome wife!)—definite improvements!

22) learn when and how to be a follower rather than a leader (and vice versa)—definite improvements!
23) read through the Bible again—Yes!  In just about six months!
24) have Kevin teach me Greek—in progress!
25) sing somewhere--every Saturday night, I get to help lead worship at my church!
26) grow a garden (even an herb garden, come on!)
27) learn to exercise (& do it regularly!)--Next year.
28) remember to not be too serious

29) study up on world religions
30) …get a new and decent job.


22/30... is a solid C.  

Fourteen/Fifteen

HAPPY DECEMBER 14-15!

Life's crazy.

I'm thankful for funny encounters.  They just add a little something extra to a run-of-the-mill day.  

Yesterday, I was greeted at a luncheon by a lady I had met only once before.  Just a week before, actually.  She grabbed 'hold of me, hugged me tight, and said how good it was to see me and how long it had been.  Then she realized I was not who she thought I was.  I told her that I appreciated the hug anyway.  :)

Kevin, too, had a fun little run-in at the luncheon.  He had just gone up to the beverage table to get us a couple of coffees, when a lady grabbed his arm and asked (as he said, with crazy eyes): "Did you know they have chocolate tea?"  He replied that, no, he did not.  She just nodded (still with the crazy eyes) and walked away.

Today, at work as I handed a fairly regular customer (venti mocha) his change, he looked at me bashfully (read: awkwardly) and said, "I'm just curious... would you be interested in going out sometime?"  Oy.  I wear my rings at work.  I purposefully hold the window open in such a way that the sun can shine off the diamond.  All things considered, I think I handled it rather well - thanked him, told him I'm married, and then sidled out of view.  Awkward.  But funny.  Poor guy.  Apparently, he had asked out one of the other baristas earlier that summer and she, too, had turned him down.  Ouch.

And now for something completely different!

I'm thankful for opportunities.  I had an awesome theological/Gospel conversation with a coworker today.  Just joking around, he claimed to be goodness incarnate.  I said, "That's blasphemy!"  Which launched us into a rather intense discussion of what "goodness" is, original sin, who Jesus is, His deity v. humanity, the holiness of God, what it means that God cannot look on sin, why it is important for us to believe in Jesus' act of redemption on the cross and what actually took place there.  Seriously.  Who gets opportunities like this?  Who takes advantage of them?  While this guy and I are prone to disagreement and (heated) discussion, I appreciate his mind and the way he thinks about things.  I also sense his curiosity, hand-in-hand with a disillusionment with religion.  I hope to have more opportunities of this nature.  Pray for me! 

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15

Five

HAPPY DECEMBER FIVE!

I'm thankful for practical (and practicable) theology.  Today, a few fellow Idaho Spgs Starbucks partners and I drove down into the city to volunteer with other Starbucks partners at a food bank.  As I placed cans of corn and peaches into the boxes that passed me on our assembly line, I prayed for the families that would be receiving the boxes of food we were putting together. 

All I could think was:

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,

and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warm and filled," 

without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

James 2:15-16

'Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared 

for you from the foundation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave Me food,

I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, 

I was a stranger and you welcomed Me,

I was naked and you clothed Me, 

I was sick and you visited Me,

I was in prison and you came to Me.  

...Truly, I say to you,

as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, 

you did it to Me.'

Matthew 25:34-36, 40

So I had the opportunity to honor and serve Christ by serving those in need.  How much more basic can you get?  And I am blessed by blessing others.

studies in prayer, part three

Intro to Intercessory Prayer

First of all... what is intercessory prayer?

"Intercessory prayer is prayer for others.  An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another's case.  One study Bible defines intercession as 'holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately needs God's intervention.'"

There is a rich history and precedent for intercessory prayer throughout Scripture.  Some of the main purposes for intercessory prayer are listed with biblical examples below.

Nonbelievers benefit from intercession
Prayer to actively participate in the will of God
In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham intercedes for the people of Sodom (specifically, his nephew Lot).  He prayed:

Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?  Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city.  Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?  Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked!  Far be that from you!  Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just? ...Suppose there are forty-five... Suppose there are forty... Suppose there are thirty... Suppose there are twenty... Suppose there are ten.

Abraham bargains with God, whittling the the "required" number of righteous men in Sodom from 50 to 10.  God agrees not to destroy the city for the sake of Lot and his family.  Nonbelievers very evidently benefit from intercessory prayer.  Abraham, through his intercession, seems to change God's mind in regard to the whole business of death and destruction - fire and brimstone.  I say "seems" because prayer, as is commonly and honestly taught, is more for the benefit of the person praying than it is "for" God.  He is blessed by the acknowledgment and worship offered up by the believer, certainly, but His mind is not changed.  Prayer, says one wise former professor of mine, invites the believer to participate in the will of God, and partake in the blessing by seeing God work through answered prayer. 

In Exodus 8:28, Pharaoh asks Moses to pray for him.  This is interesting.  Although I doubt the relationship of Pharaoh to Moses was accurately portrayed in the Dreamworks movie Prince of Egypt, it's interesting to speculate through the way they interact throughout the plagues.  What was his purpose, do you think, in asking for prayer?  Time after time, plague after plague, Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to budge and let God's people go.  Again, though, a nonbeliever stands to benefit from intercessory prayer, and even requests it.

Prayer for physical needs

Later on, in Exodus 15:25, Moses intercedes for the children of Israel.  In their wandering, Israel arrived in a place where there was nothing but bitter water, which they were obviously unable to drink.  They were in a desert.  Unable to drink anything.  Moses cries out to God on behalf of the nation, and God provides a log to throw into the water to turn the water sweet.  Moses' position as leader and mediator between God and the people is something of a humorous one.  Perhaps he interceded to appease the whining...

Prayer for the faith of other believers

Luke 22:31-32 records Jesus' words of encouragement and warning to Peter.  

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Through the example of Jesus Himself, we ought to pray for one another, "that [their] faith may not fail"!  If Jesus thought this important, it certainly is!

Prayer for the salvation of others

Prayer for the ignorance of others

Prayer for those who have harmed you personally

In that same vein, learning from the model of compassion Himself, Jesus, Luke 23:34 describes Jesus interceding for those who crucified Him.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Jesus genuinely cares for nonbelievers - if the Cross isn't proof enough, I don't know what is!  He cares for their (our) salvation -- for the forgiveness of their (our) sins.  He cares that they (we) don't know the truth, not only of who Jesus is, but of the reality of what they're (we're) doing -- actively opposing truth, goodness, and love.  He cares about them regardless of all that -- and He is in prime position to be bitter and hateful and seeking revenge for the pain and death they (we) have inflicted on Him.  If Christ demonstrates such grace and love on the Cross - the darkest and farthest from God He's ever been - and with His dying breath ask for their forgiveness, then so ought we do the same for nonbelievers, and those who wrong us. 

Prayer for the persecuted Church

Acts 12:5 says: So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

When Peter is ultimately led from prison by an angel (no less!), he goes to the house of fellow believers and interrupts a prayer meeting... they had all been praying for him!  God answers prayer, and who needs prayer more than those in prison?  Not only are we to pray they are encouraged, and that their faith does not fail, but we ought to pray for their release from prison, their safety, and their witness to those in prison, too (like Paul and Silas - singing songs of praise while in chains!)  We are all one Body, regardless of our physical location on this earth.  We share the same purpose; the oppression of believers in China and elsewhere in the world affects (or ought to affect) believers here in America.

Prayer for others' discernment, love, fruit of righteousness

Paul makes a habit of writing specific prayers he has for the churches at the beginning of his letters to them.  In Philippians, he writes:

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.

(1:9-11)

Another heavyweight of the Bible, let alone intercessory prayer, the Apostle Paul writes letters to the early churches are full of beautiful hymns, prayers, doctrine, and demonstrate his fervent love for fellow believers and the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ.  In this particular letter, he reveals his heart for this church, and, I think, all believers.  We can pray that believers' faiths do not fail, as seen above, but what does that look like, exactly?  Discipleship - the process of becoming more and more like Christ as His disciple - requires knowledge.  Believers need to be in the Word!  There must be access (and a love of) to Scripture.  Through learning the Word, a believer learns what is true and what is false: discernment.  This knowledge affects worldview, judgement, and behavior.  Further, from learning Scripture, and allowing the Spirit to be more and more in control of a believer's thoughts and actions, the fruit of the Spirit become evident.  The fruit of the Spirit (sing it with me!) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  These are things we ought to pray for ourselves, yes, but for other believers, as well.

Prayer for authority figures

Prayer for the salvation of others

Prayer for peace - godliness and holiness

Not just intercession: thanksgiving, too!

Another letter of Paul's, stressing the need for intercessory prayer, 1 Timothy (2:1-5) says:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Certainly, we do not live in a Christian nation.  Things could, however, be worse.  We are blessed to live in the country that we do - where it is yet legal to be a believer in Christ, to worship publicly, and to share that faith with others.  Believers elsewhere, as mentioned earlier, do not have this "right".  And these rights are being threatened in recent times, and will continue to be threatened as anti-Christian sentiments gain prominence.  Paul (and Jesus!) teaches that though persecution is often inevitable, because the world simply cannot accept the Gospel (as it is foolishness and a stumbling block - 1 Corinthians 1), believers need to pray for peace.  In addition to that, regardless of your individual stance on universalism, election, and Heaven and Hell, the Bible says that God desires all men to be saved, and we as believers need to not only be sharing the faith with unbelievers, but praying for the salvation of all men.  God will do what God will do, and we must do what He has commissioned us to do: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).

And finally, kind of as a closing thought:

Is it a SIN not to pray for others?

While I've just outlined prime examples of people praying for others throughout Scripture, is intercessory prayer necessarily a command?  1 Samuel 12:23 says:

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

True, we as individual believers are not in the position of Samuel - for all intents and purposes the anointed leader of the nation of Israel, alongside (and in some senses above) King Saul - but as God's ambassadors in this world, there are similarities in our relationship to an unbelieving people.  We are a nation of priests, according to 1 Peter 2:9, and as such, believers fulfill the role of intercessor between believers and nonbelievers with God Almighty.  It is an imperative!  We are a Body, existing together, growing closer to Christ together; we are ambassadors, promoting His cause and spreading Truth throughout the unbelieving nations!  Though we imperfectly fulfill this role, how exciting is it that we have Christ living to forever intercede on our behalf before the Father (Hebrews 8)!  So, though it is not a requirement for our salvation to go through another intercessor apart from Christ, we have the opportunity to allow others to partake in the blessing and participate in God's will by allowing others to pray for us, as well!  It is for the individual benefit of the believer, and for the corporate benefit of the Body of Christ!  Intercessory prayer is huge!  And it is an imperative! 

studies in prayer, part two

Thoughts on Mary's song of praise - the Magnificat - as recorded in Luke 1:46-55 (ESV).

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.  And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.  He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.  He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

Overall, according to David Guzik: "This song mainly celebrates God’s goodness, faithfulness, and power. Mary’s song shows the futility of trusting in yourself, trusting in political power, or trusting in riches. Mary’s trust has been in God, and it has been rewarded."


Interestingly, though, there are striking similarities between the situation of Mary, mother of Jesus, and Hannah, mother of the Old Testament prophet, Samuel.  Neither are biologically capable of pregnancy.  Hannah is barren; Mary, a virgin.  The Lord sees fit to "open" the wombs of both women for a specific and significant purpose.  (For thoughts on Hannah's prayer and circumstance, see Studies in Prayer, Part One.) Even more than that, the majority of Mary's prayer is borrowed from Hannah's!  Seriously!  Mary quotes Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel and more than twelve other Old Testament passages.  This beautiful song of praise is almost 100% plagiarized!  (Haha, just a joke.  Biblical plagiarism is A-OK!)


Vs. 46-47: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" is found in 1 Samuel 2:1, Habakkuk 3:18, Isaiah 61:10, and Deuteronomy 32:3.


V. 48a: "for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant" is found in 1 Samuel 1:11.


V. 49: "for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name" is found in Psalm 71:19 and 1 Samuel 2:2.


V. 50: "And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation" is found in Psalm 103:17.


V. 51: "He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts" is found in Psalm 89:13-14.


V. 52: "He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate" is found in 1 Samuel 2:8 and Job 5:11.


V. 53: "He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away" is found in 1 Samuel 2:5 and Psalm 107:9.


V. 54: "He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy" is found in Isaiah 41:8-9 and Psalm 98:2-3.


V. 55: "As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His offspring forever" echoes God's promise to Abraham, found in Genesis 15 and 17. 




Truly, all generations will (and should!) call her blessed!  That woman knew her Scriptures!  This prayer not only reveals her genuine love for the Lord and elation at His blessing: it reveals her heart for God's Word.  This was an impromptu song of praise!  She didn't ponder on the words of her cousin Elizabeth, think about it a couple of days, sit down with pen and paper, and write down all the allusions to the Old Testament she could think of, add a melody, and perform it at a later date.  These words were at the forefront of her mind, clearly prompted by the Spirit, revealing her knowledge of the Word, and devotion to the Word. She knew God's promises: what God has done in the past, and what He promised to do in the future.  She knew that many of them referred to her - in her specific situation.  


She prayed God's own words back to Him. (There's another study I taught on the purpose and blessings of praying God's Word, I'll have to find that somewhere... stay tuned, but suffice it to say there's something special and powerful about it - and, I think, something particularly close to God's heart.)


In response to the doctrine of Mariology, I like what David Guzik says.  According to verse 47, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior," Mary knew she needed a Savior.  "Mary answered the Roman Catholic dogma of the immaculate conception, which holds that from the moment of her conception Mary was by God's grace 'kept free from all taint of Original Sin.' Only sinners need a Savior."  Truly, Mary is blessed, and is to be honored (Luke 1:28-33).  She is an example to us.  However, while she is "highly favored," "blessed," and the Lord is with her, these apply to all the saints.  You and I, included - by nature of our new redeemed status before God.  Ephesians 1 speaks to this new status: we are blessed.  We are chosen.  We are holy and blameless.  And He is always with us (Matt. 28:20).  All believers share in this, true.  Mary was not perfect, as no human is, but she was beloved and righteous.  Mary was, though, specially blessed, and is given a place of prominence for believers to look to as a model of what it looks love God. 


Something to practice from this study on prayer: 
-praying Scripture
-thinking about the testimony of those God has blessed, honoring and learning from them, all the while giving glory to God alone.

studies in prayer, part one

Thoughts on Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 1:11, 2:1-10

Hannah, whose womb the Lord had closed, was “provoked grievously” and “irritated” by her rival (and husband Elkanah’s other wife) Peninnah, who had children. The poor, beloved wife wept bitterly her distress to the Lord. In her prayer of desperation, Hannah “vowed a vow and said, O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

First of all, she vows a vow. In our Western mindset, have we ever considered the possibility that vows are a righteous (much less viable) approach in prayer? Hannah’s prayer, in Talmudic tradition, is held as the prototype for the Amidah — “The Prayer”. So, it’s safe to assume there is much to learn (and emulate!) in this most sincere of prayers. However, do we… should we make vows to God? Let’s consider some of the passages of Scripture that address making such vows.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay in paying it, for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth.

Numbers 30:10-11 (laws for women, as opposed to the laws of vows for men) And if she vowed in her husband’s house or bound herself by a pledge with an oath, and her husband heard of it and said nothing to her and did not oppose her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she bound herself shall stand.

For further reading: Judges 11, and the account of Jephthah and his daughter :(

Hannah’s heart was right - she was praying with kevanna (proper intention, inclination of the heart to worship God). And yet she vowed to relinquish the very thing for which she was begging God. There is a lot to be said about the vital need for a Jewish woman (one might argue any woman) to have children - particularly sons. One site mentioned that this narrative is the only instance recorded in the Bible in which a private individual prays in a sanctuary where sacrifices are offered. As such, it affirms for rabbinic Judaism its own continuity with tradition, the continuity between prayer and sacrifice, ritual word and ritual deed, between the synagogue liturgies and the ancient rites of Tabernacle and Temple.Pretty cool.

Her prayer of desperation demonstrates a remarkable honesty. She was clearly not afraid to let the Lord know the desires of her heart, yet her attitude is not one of entitlement or as if she’s commanding God to do something for her. Through her vow, and consequent sacrifice (because the two go hand-in-hand), the LORD was pleased to bless her.

And, as God granted her a son, Hannah gave up her son to His service. Look back to the reference I’ve listed above from Numbers - a wife’s vow could be voided by her husband. Elkanah, however, was aware of his wife’s devotion: “Do what seems best to you” (1 Sam 1:23). Neither would see their son but once a year, when the family went up to Shiloh to offer up their sacrifices. (Notable: God blessed Hannah with three more sons and two more daughters — whom she got to keep!)

Hannah’s prayer and resulting sacrifice paid the price for the anointing that was on Samuel over his entire life. She thought she was asking for a child for herself, but Israel got a Judge and a Prophet of unparalleled character and worth. In fact, had Samuel not been in place, the very line of Messiah would have crumbled.

Her prayer of exultation in 1 Samuel 2:1-10 serves as a model for our response to God’s blessing: praise Him for what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. In the situation with her rival Peninnah, the LORD vindicated Hannah. Because of her humility, she was raised up, and the proud were put down. And, she has confidence in the future: The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; He will give strength to His king and exalt the power of His anointed (2:10b). Her prayer precedes the establishment of a king in Israel. At the end of her prayer, she making a very clear and obvious reference to the coming Messiah!

——-
These thoughts are not fully developed, or properly organized… but I thought them worth sharing. Hannah’s heart was in line with God’s; she came to Him, honestly, in her desperation; her prayer was effective; she gave back to the LORD what was His; and she (and the rest of creation!) was blessed by her prayer and sacrifice.

What are our thoughts on making vows to God? They’re… dangerous. It’s important to note that making a vow is not and should not be equated with bargaining. A vow is not saying to God, “If You do this, I’ll do this… but if You don’t do this, I will (or will not) do this.” Hannah trusted God’s sovereignty regardless of whether or not He chose to fulfill her desire. Had He not given her a son, she would have gone on praising Him and bringing her requests to His attention. See the difference between a vow and bargaining with God? Certainly, very serious business.

It may be beneficial to keep in mind, however, the mutual responsibility in prayer. We have a relationship with the LORD God. There is give and take. He is wholly above us, but there is, as the rabbis say, “continuity between prayer and sacrifice, ritual word and ritual deed.”