A Prayer Parable
April 29, 2010
by Gary Bergel
[from the Spring issue of Creation Care magazine. Be sure to sign up for the magazine, simply visit http://creationcare.org/magazine]
The scent of rain and wet tree bark carried on a gust of wind caught the young boy’s senses as he stooped and gathered some lengths of wood into a bundle. Straightening up, he glanced out the open doorway and could tell from the slant of the afternoon shadows that sunset was only a few hours away. Quickening his work pace, he finished cleaning and re-ordering his dad’s workshop. After sweeping the floor, he was released and quickly made his way out into the countryside which cradled his village. These beckoning hills and limestone outcroppings often provided him recreation, delight, and many lessons.
The rain-washed ivory bluffs, steeped in the light of later afternoon, were carpeted with spring grasses and wildflowers. Fiery red anemones were completing their bloom and were quickly being replaced by tissue-thin poppies. The third and final spring wash of crimson splendor was sweeping across Nazareth’s terraced valleys.
Settling in under an ancient and gnarled olive tree, the boy leaned back, breathed deeply, and delighted himself with the nectar of rain-washed air, full of wildflower scents and spring greening. A beetle crawling in the grass caught his eye. Bending close, he studied the bug’s emerald green back mirroring puffs of passing clouds. Again and again it flashed brilliantly, reflecting the shafting rays of the warm afternoon sun.
The boy’s heart quickened and he marveled at the simple but grand majesty of creation. The grass and iridescent green of the beetle’s shell reminded him of another time, another place, another spring greening. He serached his racing memories. The stabbing flashes of sunlight triggered a desire to recall so strong that it almost became a searing ache. The boy’s spirit snapped as a voice spoke and penetrated deep within his soul. Heaven opened, love englulfed him and tender words tumbled into his heart.
“My Son, fear not. I am well pleased with you. While we must suffer being apart for a time, I am ever with you. By the Spirit we are One. I have made a provision for this season of separation. You may call upon me; I will hearken. You may inquire of me; I will respond. You may seek me; I will show myself. Ask; I will favor your every request. I will meet your every need. I will never reject or refuse you.
Come often, draw apart and commune with me. Come, find rest and comfort for your soul, even when you are in agony and travail. I will make wisdom, truth, power, and strength abound to you. I will shield and deliver you from temptation. I will grant the grace you need to walk in obedience. All that I am, all that I have, is ever yours. Come. Tarry. Ask and receive.
One the day when you sacrifice and yield your life to me I will multiply and make this grace and provision abound to all who acknowledge the atonement, all who follow and serve you- even to the end of time. All of your disciples will know prayer as this relational privilege of grace.”
At dusk was givine was to darkness, the boy rose, gave thanks, returned to his village and walked in the ways in which his heavenly father, Abba, and his earthly father, Joseph, instructed him. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and statutre , and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).
Often, he would be seen looking heavenward and his followers would hear him say, “Abba, I thank you that you have heard me.” (John 11:41)
Gary Bergel is a Contributing Editor with Creation Care magazine and seves as Senior Editor/President Emeritus of Intercessors for America.
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