Why would we approach God for help? What kind of need would we have?
There are really only two kinds of help: natural or supernatural, scientific or spiritual, areas of existence governed by natural order and observable laws or areas of existence beyond any kind of measurement or objective observation.
When you pray for grandpa’s surgery, which one are you praying for? When you pray about your neighbor who lost their job, which one are you praying for? When you pray for your church to grow, which one are you praying for?
Yes. Both.
Because the very essence of prayer is going to a God who is master of both worlds, natural and supernatural.
Jesus Christ himself is a natural human being, and at the same time the supernatural Son of God who is eternal, almighty, and the CEO of the universe.
So, when you pray for health and healing, do not demand that God only respond with a miracle. A good prayer asks that God use either the natural means of nutrition, hydration, movement, or medicine or the supernatural means of his direct, spiritual powers. Or both.
When you pray for your church to grow, do not ask God to wave a magic wand and zap into Sunday seats people who are otherwise occupied on Sunday mornings. A good prayer asks God to use you as his agent to invite your friends, to share Facebook posts, to give financially, to knock on doors, to volunteer and or to influence all this by supernatural work that only he can do. Or both.
Here’s an excellent example that the Bible teaches. “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up” (James 5:14,15).
See the material, natural parts of the equation here? Physical sickness, men who are elders of the church, and olive oil that was used already in ancient times to promote health and wellness.
Do these alone answer the prayer? No. They are the natural part, but prayer seeks the supernatural from God and there we have it. What makes the person well? Faith. Who raises them up? The Lord, not the elders alone, not olive oil by itself.
There is physical and spiritual help, along with physical and spiritual healing. A good prayer remembers that God answered prayers both naturally and supernaturally. Remember to pray for both.
Looking to improve your prayer life with a simple exercise? Try the one recommended by Pastor Mike in today’s teaching video https://youtu.be/9UdPspn0izY.
PRAYER: Dear God, you are Lord of the natural and supernatural. You understand the scientific and the spiritual. So help me to pray in both ways. In faith, I look for you to answer in both ways. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: So go ahead, pray about something you’re already good at. See what God can do.