Torch, Summer 1999

~ ll . . "' And,__while this book is many things at once, it also contains great jnsight into a single question: What cal! we learn about prayer through t_he book of Ruth? The story told in the book of Ruth · contains seven unmistakable lessons concernfog prayer. These range from the short-term rec-0gnit~oh 9fhu~an· frailty to the long-,-teim recognition of God's .sovereign power over every · circumstance. Let's review ~hem inaividuall:r,. , ·. · ct2esson #1 (@.uth ll-JJ) _. ~raper aehi&wled3es ~tidspertectiof! -even whih Wtf live a:s imp_mftct people (n an -impmft:ct world -. ·. · Life is fuli of trials, especially those related to losing relatives or . friends,.or-perhaps thdoss o{a . position, er perhaps the death of a dream, These trials are often · "unfaii" ~d ourgrief is both real ~d legitimate. Prayer provides a proper channel for our grief . ..· God always hears, always cares, and.always comforts. And, prayer p;ovides a necessary·context for o_ilr grief. While events may seem unfair, God is_always ju~t. .f\nd, while our questions may have no answers·, God is always the ultimate ~swer. Prayer anchors us in the.ce_rtainty . that God is always perfect in His · wisdom, His will, and His ways. ·_ In p~ayer we_join with the psalmist who wrote~ The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; The Lord is robed in majesty and is arm.e.d with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot-be moved (Psalm 93: 1 NIV) . ct2esson 2 . (~uih l6-13) _ 12rcrper acknowledges cS'Jod 's power even when oitcumstances demon.Strate how vetp weak or_ powerless we.crre. . -Prayer re~nds us that God is in control ofoill circumstances, . .whether they appear favorable or unfavgrable. Naomi, while embittered, ·does not blame circumstances or.bad luck. For.her, God is die source of both famine and .feast; God is the God of both . Jews and Gentiles (1.:8-9); apd . God is the provider of both blessing and distress (1: 13). Too·many Christians hold a vision that God is too small. For them, - God is only somewhat in control. For them, God cares about some things but not about ot_hers. For them, God is there only on the "big matters." Most o-f the time they feel pretty much on · their own. - Prayer reminds us that God's power is eternal, al?solute, and always directed to .us at the right · .: -time in the righ way to achieve His perfect will for each of us. When we pray, we join with the Apostles who proclaimed in Acts 4:24 (NIV) : "So·vereig"J'} Lord, " they sa} d; you made the heaven and the earth and the ~ea, and everything in them. " _:: :· ef2.esson 3 · . (~uth. llif-!8) , ~raper t(cknpw/ed3~s our _ sobdantp With c9_ddJ ·· purposes; Rudi's· affirmation in these ver~es is a wonderfuri:e~imony w .a tQtal . · commitment w:ir_~ w}:iate':'er God. purposed for her a~d N~~i. , . In her statement.)_Rl:lth.comrpitted to never turn back, never turn aside, aqd never turn loose. Likewise, when we way W.e are·. recommitting <?urselves to be , God's servants, not our own rriasters, We are com!J11tting to · 'follow God'~ paths, not out own purposes, an_d to mov~ at God's . direction, not our own motivation. In pray~r we affirm with Paul's dedaration in Philippians 3: 14 (NIV): I press on toward the goal to win the • · prize for which God h11,s called nie heavenward in ChristJesus. ff2essofl #lf - · (<3?.uth 2 /:23) - ··'°@raper acknowled3es– cS7od 's provision even .when our needs seem greatest Ruth and Naomi discovered that God provided for their daily needs (2:8) and more (2:16-17); for their protection (2:9) and more (2:14- 15); and for their recognition (2:11) and reward (2:12). Torch 11