Ever watch the movie War Room? You know, the one starring Priscilla Shirer whose character Elizabeth Jordan is a wife, mother, and real estate agent struggling with her spiritual walk. Don’t you just love watching Miss Clara, a Titus 2 lady, take action mentoring her and having that lukewarm cup of coffee with her? (I halt here and encourage you to watch this movie.) Unfortunately, many are lukewarm in our spiritual walk and especially in our prayer life. It doesn’t have to be so. Prayer is something you may not see but you sure can experience its effects.
Why did God give us the power to pray? He knew that it would be our most powerful weapon to connect with him and to combat our enemy. In fact, every generation fights a war. Sometimes we see our enemy. Sometimes we don’t. Sometimes the combat zone invades our homefront, but oftentimes we don’t recognize things that invade. Other times, it is an unseen enemy that we fight that strikes fear in many. Turning to God through prayer enables us to take appropriate action and to strengthen our walk of faith.
Did you know that Jesus’ longest prayer was right before he was betrayed by one of his disciples? John 17 highlights how Jesus prayed for himself, his disciples and for all believers in his longest prayer recorded. One might think that the Son of God would not have to pray such a long prayer. However, he did pray because prayer was his most powerful weapon. His longest prayer was a culmination of his mission and how he was turning it over to those to come, kind of like a commencement or graduation of sorts.
Graduations are exhilarating times in everyone’s chapter. Somewhere along the way, you enjoyed a graduation where family and friends were there, where you received your diploma, and where you were recognized for your achievements. It took a lot to get there. I recall my high school graduation from an all-girls college preparatory school. The sun shined that day where we wore white semi-formal dresses, walked with a half dozen red roses outside on a lush green lawn, heard a commencement speaker who was uplifting, and sang beautiful songs, including our alma mater song one last time. It wasn’t a typical American high school graduation with the cap and gown, but it was a special graduation day for my family and me.
2020 has been a topsy-turvy year for our graduates...graduating from Pre-K, from elementary school, from middle school, from high school, from college/university, or from a graduate level program. It’s a season of change, of thrill, and of anxiety for what’s next. It’s a crossing of the bridge going from the known to the unknown. It’s a season of finality. 2020 graduates certainly have the memory of a pandemic that sidelined any traditional commencement ceremony.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go is a familiar book read around graduation times, for Dr. Seuss highlights the various feelings and emotions that a person can experience with change and anticipation of what’s to come. For 2020, the pandemic made this season of commencement and graduations even more bittersweet with so much happening. Many had to delay their graduation celebration to the summertime or make it a small family gathering or were a part of a creative solution to attend such a monumental event.
Jesus, too, graduated. He graduated from his mission. Only his graduation was not from an academic institution or a trade school. There was no diploma or cap and gown. Like other graduates, he attended a celebration (aka The Last Supper) and was the guest of honor at such a grand celebration with his disciples. Could you imagine attending such an occasion?
“But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home…In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:32-33).
Jesus knew what was coming his way; he needed to prepare his followers. What better way to prepare them than to pray? He prayed for all believers and for all those who believe in their message that they may become one. “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me” (John 17:23). He knew that it would be an emotional farewell for many, which is why he prayed.
Now that graduation season is over and a new season begins, it’s a time of rejuvenation and a time for the next generation to level up. Many are heading back to school. Many are becoming rising seniors and are making preparations as they wrap up their final year. Many are entering a new season, such as new to the workforce, while others are entering retirement. Many are seeking a new season, but the old season hasn’t ended yet, such as a job with another company or starting up a business. Wherever you are in the journey, isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus’ final prayer request is for you, me, and all other believers to continue his mission?
So, let’s start to pray…don’t know how? Ever heard of the Five Fingers Prayer? Each finger on your hand reminds you for whom to pray.
Your thumb is the closest finger to you, so you pray for those closest to you such as your family, friends, neighbors and each other.
Your index finger points the way, and we need to pray for those who point you in the direction you need to go such as teachers, mentors and other influential people in your life.
The middle finger is the tallest finger and thus represents people in higher authority leading our country, our community and our church.
The ring finger is the one finger closest to your heart so pray for those ill, weak or in need.
Finally, the pinky finger is the smallest of all fingers. It’s important that you pray for you and your own needs, asking God to open your eyes, reveal to you his plan and then take action accordingly.
Praying the five fingers prayer will give us direction and allow us to focus more keenly on connecting with God. May God continue to remind us how valued we are and how loved we are in his eyes. After all, one graduate’s last prayer request was that all believers and those to come would “be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23).
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