Scripture
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” John 20:24-27 (New Living Translation)

Observation
The obvious is amazing. Through locked doors, Jesus came to the disciples alive after he was dead. That is not everyday news. But what is more astounding is the not so obvious. Jesus was present in the room when no one saw him.

The proof is in how Jesus repeated Thomas’ private conversation word for word. Jesus visible was amazing; but Jesus invisible is astounding. When we are gathered together with other believers, Jesus in our midst even when we can’t see him.

Immediately, we get fearful of saying the wrong thing and want to get things right. But that’s not the point of this story. It is more tender than that. Jesus heard and turned a protest into a prayer. God hears our private longings and does the remarkable to bring them about.

Application
There are times in my own life that I know that Jesus has been eavesdropping on my conversations. My objections in private with friends become public answers to prayers that I never prayed. Jesus is listening to every conversation. I need to live in the fear of what God thinks and speak well, and yet more. I need to live in an expectation that Jesus just might hear the longing of my heart and do more than I expect.

Prayer
Jesus, help me to speak today knowing that you are listening. Amen.

Scripture
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:26-28

Observation
There are bold moments in prayer where we courageously march into the throne room and state our case and God works in power. But there are groping moments in prayer when we fumble around looking for what it is we should be asking for. Sure we can pray, but what should we pray for?

“What should I pray for?” is the question of the mature believer. He has discovered that prayer is not about telling God what to do, but listening enough to ask what the Father wants. But how can we know?

There comes a level in prayer where we have to have more confidence in what Christ is praying for us than in what we are praying for ourselves. We must put more stock in wordless prayers than in our own words. At this extremity of prayer the gift of tongues is so useful. For here the Holy Spirit prays through us, though our mind does not grasp the meaning.

Application
The goal of prayer is to let the Spirit of God pray through me, whether in my words or in a prayer language. Right now I’m praying about our next home. So many questions. I want to enter into this level of groaning prayers.

Prayer
Father, lead us home. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Desperation Band lead “Promises” while reading about uncomfortable prayer.

Scripture
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11

Observation
There are layers of prayer, but most are unexplored because we give up too soon. To press upward to the next level of prayer, we are required to pass through chilly emotions. We often recoil from them, because prayer doesn’t feel comfortable or simple any longer. More emotion is required of us to warm the atmosphere than we are prepared to give. As a result, many answers go unclaimed from God because we weren’t prepared to push through the awkward regions of prayer and to still believe.

Asking is the first level of prayer. The simple foundation of prayer is a personal relationship with our Father. We know that he listens so we ask him questions. This is a cozy experience of prayer. God seems near enough to ask and so we make our requests and listen. For many, this is the only level of prayer that they have known. They have never walked outdoors beyond the warm living room with the Lord. Even within this comfortable place of prayer, many have not used it to its full advantage. To ask in prayer implies that we put questions to God and wait for an answer. King David did this constantly. When faced with a dilemma he would “inquire” of the Lord. He would put a question and wait for an answer. There is a level of prayer where God’s voice is near. We pray a prayer and there is a sense of rightness about a certain direction we plan to take. Jesus called that “receiving”, because if we ask, we should expect to receive.

Seeking is the second level of prayer. Some have never touched this level because it requires them to walk out into the cold outdoors and to leave behind the comfortable living room of asking. Seeking implies that something is lost or hidden from sight. Searching also implies that there will be many stones unturned, streets walked and corners looked around with no result. This level of prayer is less comfortable because the closeness with the Lord is not as evident. There is a sense of confusion and uncertainty about what is right. There will be mistakes and blunders as many options are explored. For those immature, there is initial certainty that God has said this or that. But after a few dead ends in the searching they become disillusioned to know if indeed they heard God or could ever hear God. Those who are seasoned at this level of prayer, are comfortable with their mistakes and ignorance enough to keep on searching for the next door. Hopes will be raised and dashed. But deep within they know that at some point the answer will be found and it will be better than all the alternatives visited along the way. The danger in the seeking process is that there are many good options on the way to the best one. There is an inner ought that pushes the heart on to leave something good behind in search of the best. That is a hard call to make, but to those who seek, they will find. When the answer comes, all of the frustration of the searching fades into memory.

Knocking is the third level of prayer. Few indeed have ever found this because they have not weathered the asking and seeking levels. But those who have, arrive at an answer only to find the door firmly locked. The wind blows. Neighbours twitch curtains and peer out the window to see who is making so much racket in the street. Knocking once isn’t too hard. Knocking twice is uncomfortable. Giving a firm rap on the door a third time is almost embarrassing. But those with a knocking spirit, have no difficulty making fools of themselves at God’s front door. Indifferent to waking the neighbours, they will persist in pounding. Standing in a dark street in front of a locked door is a lonely and exposed feeling. But this level of prayer quickly turns from rejection in to embracing acceptance as the Father opens the door and welcomes us in. Knocking leads us to a new living room of acceptance where we can ask for yet even more.

Application
There is more to prayer than I’ve explored. Right now Leslie and I have been interceding together in ways we haven’t done so in a very long time. I’m seeing some of these levels. I want so much to get from this a testimony, so first I must pass through the test.

Prayer
Father, I’ve asked and I’ve sought. Today I begin knocking in earnest. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Third Day sing “Run to You” while reading today’s devotion about disappointment. The lyrics tell Jacob’s story.

Scripture
When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Genesis 29:25

Observation
Jacob was a fine one to ask why someone had deceived him. After all, his name meant “swindler” and he had just cheated his brother out of a lifetime of happiness.

But Jacob didn’t see that dark side of his life yet. That insight would come later, after more crippling injustice. At that early point in his life, Jacob saw himself as the centre of things. In his mind, he was special and any inconvenience was unfair treatment for one who deserved better things.

Jacob could argue that he had prayed at the start of his journey for God to be with him. And if he prayed, shouldn’t that mean that all would go well for him? The answer was an obvious, “No!” We are often victims of our ideals when we pray. It is not just that we experience injustice and disappointment but that we had expected better treatment.

In his message yesterday, Pastor Brady asked us, “Can God answer our prayers with disappointment in order to lead us to greater things?” The answer of course is yes. Prayer is all about leading us out of our perspective and into God’s point of view through the doorway of disappointment. Jacob’s scheming and conniving would be confronted until we last see him as an old limping man crossing his arms to bless his grandsons. Prayer, disappointment and blessing changed him for the better.

Application
Like Jacob, I’m often surprised when God answers my prayers with disappointment. I too am proud like Jacob and expect preferential treatment. But the hope is that this disappointment will lead to greater things. Through the doorway of disillusionment, I can find an outlook on God’s view. Life is ever so much better from that vantage point. I must brave disappointment when it comes and with a game face press through to better things on the other side. For surely better things are there. I have only to limp on. It is only when I get over the sense of specialness and welcome disappointment that I can receive the undeserved kindnesses of God.

Prayer
Father, there is ever so much in my life that I need to have reinterpreted by you to me. Make doorways of my disappointments and show me better things that are yet to be. Help me not to be surprised by injustice. Let my faith in you be strong enough to see that you may offend me to bless me. I receive that. Amen.