Cancer Companions believe in the power of prayer. We pray for God’s will knowing that he knows what we need better than we know. But we also pray BIG! Really BIG!
Here’s a devotional from the Cancer Companions Participant Guide which might show you what we mean…
God is Bigger Than… Kickball
Kickball was so popular at my school growing up that rarely a recess would go by without a game. Unfortunately, I was a lousy kickball player. The pitcher would roll the ball to me but when I kicked it, the ball would only sputter a few feet away. I usually felt the sting of the ball hit my back long before I could tag first base. What I needed was someone to stand in for me as a relief kicker. When it came to my own abilities, I had very little confidence in my kickball prowess.
I wish lack of confidence was reserved only for the kickball field, but it’s not. Low self-confidence can interfere with almost any situation. One of the toughest might be when you need to ask another person for something very important. Asking a boss for a raise or a friend for some help can bring concerns over how worthy you are in their eyes. “Do they remember the time I showed up late or the time they asked me to do something and I never got around to it?” Past mistakes can lower your confidence or even push you to skip asking for anything at all.
Can your past mistakes make you hesitant to request things from God? After all, God already gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us– which we certainly didn’t deserve. With a lifetime of mistakes and blunders, can we ask God for more?
Yes! Not only does God want you to ask for more, He wants you to ask for more with boldness. Hebrews 4:16 says we should “… approach the throne of grace with confidence.” I don’t know about you, but approaching God’s throne with all my imperfection does not inspire confidence– it inspires fear. I would probably be face down, shaking like a leaf and so filled with shame, I couldn’t utter a word. What I need is someone to stand in for me and approach the throne in my place. It may be one thing to find a relief kicker back in my kickball days. It’s much harder to find someone perfect to take my prayers before the throne. Thankfully, there’s Jesus.
Picture Jesus, beside you as you approach the Throne of God. Jesus turns to you and says, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this for you.” You breathe out a giant sigh of relief. Jesus then turns towards the throne and says “Hey, Dad, he’s been praying for some help and I can tell you, he really needs it. I know what he’s going through because I’ve been there and it’s horrible. Don’t worry about his past sins. I have that covered. Let’s grant him all the mercy and love he needs. OK?”
Amazing isn’t it? Jesus is really there for you. So how big are your prayers? Are you approaching the throne with confidence or sneaking in the back way hoping you won’t get noticed? Pray with confidence because you do not stand before God alone. And there’s another reason to pray with confidence while on your cancer journey. Read the rest of Hebrews 4:16 :
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
When does God want you to approach Him with confidence? Right NOW, in your time of need. Confidence is easy when you’re on top of the world but right now, on your cancer journey, God longs to give you mercy and grace so He can help you in the midst of your need. Hallelujah, praise the Lord!
Lord,
I know there is nothing facing me that is stronger than You. You are my Rock and my Fortress. Only through Your strength can I stand. Fill my life with Your strength and bless me with true contentment which comes only from You.
Amen
