Requisition

I thought it was a brilliant analogy. Pam, my bible study teacher continues to teach her lessons on the Event Planner. And this was just too good and too relevant not to share. It was a topic positioned under the outlined portion of "Invitations and Responses". At the beginning of the series upon signing up we were given a notebook and it had a couple of sheets in it entitled "requisition forms". I wondered what they were for and figured we would know sooner or later. Yesterday was the day. The requisition forms were a visual prop she used to help us understand how prayer works. It is a standard form that any business could use but consider for a minute the business of prayer. Most notably the greatest business that we could be involved in.

The requisition form has seven parts:
1) Name of Individual Requesting - you put your name
2) Date of Request - you put your date
3) Deliver to - God
4) Purpose - There was a pause on this one because how often do we truly consider the purpose of our prayers. And so often times aren't the purposes a reflection back on what we want rather than what God wants? God wants to know why I am asking for this request? She gave three verses her to advance her position that God is to be our focus in all our prayers. We are to be:
a) Pleasing: 2 Corinthians: 5:9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away form it.
b) Glorifying: 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
c) Obedient: Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In other words, Check your purpose at the door and do not cling to wrong motives. Pam said she needed a further explanation for this verse especially the part about prayer and petition. What was the difference. She said she went to John Piper for an explanation and he explained it this way. 'Pray always', is just kind of like general all day prayers, communication with God throughout the day. But 'petition' or supplication is a specific prayer, a requisition. Notice in the verse it is said that when you submit these prayers that the 'peace' of God will guard your heart and mind. She then gave an explanation of prayer; it is asking God to align you with his will, rather than asking him to align his with yours. How many times have I gotten that wrong? God accomplishes everything that he has willed through prayer. God will accomplish what concerns me, but he will accomplish it in ways that I may not understand or agree with, and may come with great pain, for his greater purposes.

5) Description - give God all the details, the reasons, your reasons, your heartfelt needs, your anxiousness, your fears, your prides, etc.
6) Signature of Individual Requesting - sign your name
7) Account number - I wondered how she would end this and I just loved her explanation of accounts. Let God pay for it. Put it on his account. You want account numbers? Here are the accounts that God has set up through his son:
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Isaiah 49:25 5 But this is what the LORD says "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus
Daniel 3:17-18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

She had a comment on verse 18...'even if he does not'...their stance of faithfulness in God will remain steadfast. It is hard to accept it when God answers "no", and even harder to stand in faithfulness when we witness God allowing pain and suffering and even taking lives of those we love. But he has called us to remain faithful even in the midst of terrible adversity. He knows the plans he has for us, and though we may not see them or understand them, it is in trust that must must forge forward to accomplish them for his glory and our best.

I know dear friends that this is lesson not based on one of my simple stories but on God's truth.

I pray that those of you who have made it to the end of this devotional will be blessed by submitting your requisitions to God in faithfulness and trust, and that his hand of favor will be upon you always. May you not quench the spirit with doubt or despair, and exchange those gripping distractions with trust and hope. Amen

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through