Computer Woes – and Prayer

Computer Woes – and Prayer

I got a computer virus, necessitating a visit to the computer store for them to clean up my system – leading to an entire week without posting a blog. Apologies to all my faithful blog followers but, no fear, I am up and running with dozens of exciting themes just begging to be posted.

Indeed, my computer woes made me aware of a spiritual principle that could be a challenge, an encouragement, and blessing to us all.

I don’t think any of us could deny how amazing computer technology can be, or how much the computer age has influenced our lives – for good or ill. As a writer, computers have been a huge benefit to me and made me more productive than I could have imagined in the days when I slogged over a typewriter.

At the same time the computer age has been a boon to unprincipled people who have used it to profit illegally, or simply to plant viruses out of pure malicious intent.

So I thought of something else miraculous and of such benefit to the human race as cannot be measured. I speak of prayer, by which men and women can connect with the divine and receive the benefits of Heaven.  Once discover the blessing and intimacy of prayer through Jesus Christ, and your life is raised to a level impossible to the unbelieving masses.

It occurred to me followers of Christ, familiar with the intimacy of prayer, can also be afflicted with a “virus” that can compromise our prayer lives – render it largely ineffective. What is this malicious thing that can have such a devastating effect upon us? It is the “virus” of UNBELIEF.

Scripture paints a very clear picture of what unbelief can do to us:

                But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ [being] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8 – NASB)

And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his [own] household.” ⁵⁸ And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:57-58 – NASB)

Now let us make it clear – unbelief and lack of faith are not the same thing. Even a tiny amount of faith, like a mustard seed, has power to move mountains. The measure of your faith may be small, but you will still be able to do great things for God.

On the other hand you may have a lot of faith but still be afflicted with the disease of unbelief.

How so?

Unbelief works like this: I believe God can move mountains; He can heal the sick; God can meet my financial needs. I believe God can help me win my neighbours for Christ; He can give me victory over certain addictions I am subject to. Unbelief can believe all these things with the utmost sincerity.

What unbelief has trouble believing is that God will do these things, and more, in the here and now. Unbelief says, “Of course God can do anything he wants, but I have trouble believing he will do it for me, or for my family, or my church in this day and age. I know God did these things in past generations for Bible people, and even for some people today, but I just can’t believe God can be that active in my life today.

Test your reaction to the following promise and see whether or not the virus of unbelief has caused a malfunction in your life of prayer:

                Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater [works] than these he will do; because I go to the Father.¹³ Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do [it]. (John 14:12-14 – NASB)

Can you apply this promise to your life in the here and now? If not you just may be afflicted with a virus – the virus of unbelief.

Unbelief

(© 28^th March 2015 – by Christopher Shennan)

There are those who don’t doubt God’s mighty power

To perform great works and great loving deeds;

They are full of faith in what God has wrought,

And work through people to meet others’ needs.

They will stand and defend God’s Holy Word;

They’ll declare with passion and holy zeal

That God is a God of miracles, true,

With power to save and power to heal.

Yet these same people seem to lack one small thing –

The faith to apply all this personally;

They believe God will bless most anyone,

But can’t quite say, He will do it for me!”

Save me dear Lord from this blight on my soul,

And grant me a faith that will make me whole.

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