Portico Church

i never wrestled in high school.  i heard they did a lot of push-ups, sit-ups and running.  apparently that is what doctors call strenuous which, at the time, i was strongly against.  it doesn't sound like an activity that would characterize life in the Kingdom, does it?  even less, a description of prayer, right?

it's a bit surprising to think of prayer that way - strenuous, wrestling.  but that's often how it is seen.  intense, focused, draining, yet life-giving.  there's a guy in the bible, the new testament, who's name is epaphras.  he's a friend of paul.  he prays for paul.  he's described as wrestling or struggling in prayer on behalf of paul and other followers of Jesus.

it's almost like prayer requires something of you.  like, everything!

yet, you don't go it alone.  there's this throne in the Kingdom, apparently.  I read about it.  the guy who wrote to the hebrews in a letter we affectionately call "the letter to the hebrews" describes it.  it is a throne where our King sits.  it's called the throne of grace.  and we are invited to "draw near" to it in our time of need.  it is here that Jesus gives us what we need in the moment that we need it - mercy, grace, help.

so, in the Kingdom, we give everything we have, but are given everything we need in order to give what we have.  hmmmm.

it is strenuous, yet we are given the strength.

this is on my mind tonight because i have a few people (me included) who really need prayer right now.  someone to wrestle on their behalf.  and i know it is going to require a lot from me, of me. and i'm wondering if i have enough to give.

so i guess this is that time to "draw near" to the throne of grace. 

excuse me while i draw near and prepare to wrestle. . . .. .

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