Apr
08
2011
A Prayer for Boasting in Our Weaknesses & Difficulties
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Heavenly Father, I totally get Martin Luther’s statement that “bad theology is the worst taskmaster,” for I’ve proven his words in my life. This small portion of your Word exposes and contradicts many destructive notions I used to have about the Christian life. As a young believer, I wasn’t taught to delight in weaknesses and difficulties, rather to despise, deny and even demonize them.
It was all about “the victorious Christian life,” being “super-Christian”—basically a Type A personality on spiritual steroids; filled with positive confessions and an unrealistic obsession with a pain-free life. I didn’t want sufficient grace, I wanted replacement grace. What a me-centered merciless myth. That you for rescuing me from this and other grace-less distortions of the gospel. By the Holy Spirit, continue to pour the true gospel, the whole gospel into my heart.
Indeed, Father, thank you for actively being at work to complete the good work you’ve begun in us, as your beloved children. Hasten that glad Day. Until then, free me for boasting in my weaknesses, not merely bemoaning them. I’ve never been more aware of being weak—of having no ability to change my heart and escape my brokenness. My limitations are ever before me, not to define me, but incessantly to drive to Jesus. I really am weak. I very much want Jesus’ power to rest on me, I very much need Jesus’ power to rest on me.
Father, as you continue to humble and gentle me, grant me greater compassion for others in their weaknesses and difficulties. For grace received is never to be grace hoarded. Expand my capacity to stay present in the chaos. Show me what I have to offer others beyond mere words. You haven’t called us to “fix” anyone, but to love as Jesus loves us. So very Amen, I pray, in his merciful and mighty name.