A sign from God

Yesterday, I was reading an article in The New Yorker about Doug Coe, the founder of The Fellowship, a Christian organization that ministers to powerful Washington leaders. The group, which has the noblest of intentions (seeking harmony by modeling lives after Jesus) is made up of humans, and therefore, it's full of sinful behavior. But Doug Coe himself said something, and it caught my interest. Back when he was in college, at a time when he'd broken away from his very prayerful, Christian parents, Coe had a religious experience.

"He found himself promising to give his life to God's work--as long as he didn't have to evangelize or spend too much time in prayer. He set out to test the efficacy of prayer by composing a list of desirable outcomes, having nothing to do directly with himself, and determined to try to pray them into reality by a certain date. One of the items on his list, he says, was that his favorite professor at school, a political-science instructor, would have a personal experience with Jesus. As the deadline neared, the professor, Mark Hatfield, told Coe that he had 'met the Lord.'" Hatfield eventually went on to become a very spiritual, Christian man of power--a governor and a U.S. senator.

When I read this, I thought of Jesus's statement to the devil, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." I also thought, "Maybe I should pray for Sara to 'meet the Lord' by a certain date." Then I forgot about it. But this morning, my BSF scripture reading brings this issue--the testing of prayer--back before me again.

In Isaiah 7:11-12, God told King Ahaz, "Ask the Lord your God for a sign." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test." The bible notes say that in spite of his smooth, pious response (he's quoting Deut. 6:16, just like Jesus eventually did), Ahaz all the while intended to put his trust in Assyria. Isaiah then foretold the kind of friend Assyria would prove to be--i.e. a bad one.

So, God told Ahaz to ask Him for a sign. Ahaz demurred, and things turned out bad. Does this story have any bearing on my life? I don't know whether I'm invited to put God to the test. It seems wrong, and it seems like I'm setting myself up to be disappointed. But what if I am invited to ask? What if it worked? Shouldn't I try it?

Lord, I pray that Sara would have a personal experience with Jesus by February 5. I will pray this every day between now and February 5. Doug Coe had other items on his list. What else should I ask for? I would like to write a book that glorifies You. I will pray that an opportunity will arise by September of 2011 to do something along those lines. I will pray for other things, but not put a deadline on them, because I'm starting to feel pushy and unsure of myself. Am I being selfish with that second request? 


I'm going to not worry about it. You know my sinful heart. I'm just going to pray anyway, and see what happens. Amen