A Gift Unfit for a King

I prayed at Bible Study and then turned the face of my soul to God.

“Was that sufficient?” Did I say all the things needed? Did I ask for the right things? Did I invite the right kind of protection for my friends?

It was like handing the Father a gift. I’d wrapped it as well as I could, but somehow it seemed lacking. I’d never seen a perfect gift, but I knew this wasn’t it. I just didn’t know how to make the paper fit all the way over the corners. I just didn’t know how to make the paper stay nice and flat. I just didn’t know how to make the bow stand up and fill the space above the package instead of flopping over.

“It’s wonderful,” Jesus says as he steps between the Father and I. He takes the gift from my hands as he continues. “All it needs is a little of this,” He moves his hands so fast I can’t see how he manages to make the paper finish covering the corners or become unwrinkled, “And this,” The bow rises under his hands unexplainably, no longer drooping, but holding its shape. The wrapping paper even seems shinier. It looks like the gifts is almost glowing, like there is something alive within. “And now, it is perfect to present to the Father.”

I’ll never be able to pray a perfect prayer. I never quite have the right words to say. My words never quite line up with my meaning, and my meaning never quite lines up with the needs around me. But that’s ok because Jesus intercedes for me.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for these who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure the neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:26-38

Things to pray for:

Boldness and opportunity to share the gospel.

That I may live selflessly, filled with the Holy Spirit and trusting God alone. 

Continued peace about my spiritual gifts and wisdom for using them. 

Wisdom. I need wisdom. 

Perseverance in all the things God has called me to.