Powerless but Not Prayerless
Dexu Xia
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 2 Chronicles 20:12
Today's Scripture 2 Chronicles 20:2-4, 6-12,15
Today's Insights The temple in Jerusalem is where the Israelites sought God in prayer during national crises (2 Chronicles 6:18-40). When Israel was threatened by a large enemy military coalition, Jehoshaphat assembled the nation at the temple and prayed for God’s help (20:1-12; see 6:34-35). Responding to the people’s faith, God assured them of victory: “Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . . For the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”.” (20:15, 17). Prayer is where powerless people offer petitions to an almighty God.
Today's Devotional Anita Bailey’s heart was warmed when she got this social media message about her son Jalen: “I was a greeter today at [church] and a young man with a child in his arms came up to me and put his arms around me. . . . I stared for a second, then I recognized him and said, ‘Jalen!' We embraced and chatted briefly. What a fine young man!” The greeter knew Jalen in his rebellious days when Anita and her husband, Ed, had felt powerless to save their son from the consequences of his unwise choices, which had resulted in twelve years in prison for him.
Though the Baileys felt powerless, they were not prayerless. And neither was King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. When harassed by a menacing coalition of enemy forces, he called a prayer meeting (vv. 1-4). “Our God, will you not judge them?” he prayed. “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12).
Have you ever felt powerless or clueless in the face of circumstances that were out of your control? Why not call a prayer meeting—either alone or with others? That’s what Jesus did in the face of His coming crucifixion (Luke 22:39-44). Prayer space is the sacred place where the petitions of powerless people are offered to our almighty God in the name of Jesus.
Reflect & Pray
What’s keeping you from bringing your challenges to God in prayer? How can you partner with others in prayer for mutual support?
Almighty God of resurrection power, please help me in my powerlessness today as I fix my eyes on Jesus.
无能为力，但未停止祷告
“我们也不知道怎样行，我们的眼目单仰望祢。”（历代志下 20:12 ）
今日经文：历代志下 20章2-4, 6-12, 15 节
今日心得： 耶路撒冷的圣殿是以色列人在国家危机时祷告寻求上帝的地方（历代志下 6:18-40）。当以色列面临庞大敌军的威胁时，约沙法召集全国人民到圣殿，祈求上帝的帮助（20:1-12；另见 6:34-35）。上帝回应了人民的信心，向他们保证胜利：“不要因这大军恐惧怕惊惶，因为胜败不在乎你们，乃在乎上帝。……这次你们不要争战，要摆阵站着，看耶和华为你们施行拯救。不要恐惧，也不要惊惶，明日当出去迎敌，因为耶和华与你们同在”（20:15, 17）。祷告就是无能为力的人们向全能上帝提出请求的地方。
今日灵修 安妮塔·贝利在社交媒体上看到关于她儿子杰伦的这条信息时，心里暖洋洋的，“今天我在教会做招待，一个怀里抱着孩子的年轻人（杰伦）走到我面前拥抱我……我愣了一下，然后认出他，说：‘杰伦！’我们拥抱了一下，聊了几句。真是个好年轻人！”这位招待认识杰伦，那时杰伦正值叛逆期，安妮塔和丈夫艾德感到无力挽救儿子，因为他不明智的选择最终导致他入狱十二年。 虽然贝利夫妇感到无能为力，但他们并没有停止祷告。
历代志下20章中的约沙法王也是如此。面对来势汹汹的敌国联军，他召开了一次祷告会（1-4节）。他祷告说：“我们的神啊，你不惩罚他们吗？” “因为我们无力对抗这攻击我们的大军，也不知道该怎么办，我们的眼目单仰望你们”（12节）。你是否曾在无法掌控的境况中感到无力或茫然？何不召集一次祷告会，独自一人或与他人一起？耶稣在即将被钉十字架时就是这样做的（路加福音 22:39-44）。祷告的空间是神圣的地方，无能为力的人们奉耶稣的名向我们全能的上帝祈求。
反思与祷告 是什么阻碍了你把你的挑战带到祷告中交给上帝？你如何与他人同工祷告，互相扶持？
拥有复活大能的全能上帝，请帮助我克服今天的无力，让我定睛仰望耶稣。