The Gift of Prayer

By Cristal de la Cruz

Mexico City, Mexico

Scriptures:

• Luke 22:41-46
• Hebrews 14:14-16
• John 17

“Father, I beg you, please help me get out of my comfort zone, do Your will, and live intensely for You!”

This was one of my prayers on an ordinary morning, where, despite being busy serving God, I felt like I needed something more in my relationship with Him. What I didn't expect was His quick response to my request and the way He designed His plan for me to “get out of my spiritual comfort zone.” 

A couple of months after this prayer, my family and I arrived at another church ministry in Mexico, leaving the spiritual family we had been with for the last 15 years; and the family in which my daughters had become disciples of Jesus. After 30 years in the faith, 11 moves, being missionaries on other occasions, I found God now taking us on a new adventure, meeting other disciples and their stories of faith, forming new friendships, and learning about the culture of the church in this new region. He had sent me on a new mission!

In Luke 22:41-46, our Lord Jesus prayed with great fervor in Gethsemane to do God's will and not His own. He knew that dying on the cross for the salvation of humanity implied unconditional love, total obedience, and great suffering. In addition to the spiritual, physical, and emotional pain he experienced, the fight against satan was real. Freeing us from sin had a very high price – His own life.

My trial was not at all comparable to that of Christ, but His example guided me on that new spiritual journey; and I could only do it with the right heart and motivation, praying with great fervor as He did.

Hebrews 14:14-16 reminds us that we have in Christ a high priest in heaven, who intercedes for us and sympathizes with our weaknesses. I share this with you because in this challenge that God used to renew my relationship with Him, I would like to say that my response to it was quick and peaceful, but I'm sorry to tell you that no, many doubts and fears arose along the way. Why? Some were my own. Others came from within my own family, friends, and those close to me.

The change in my heart did not happen overnight, but staying attached to prayer and His presence has allowed me to experience His grace and to look at the circumstances around me through His eyes and therefore experience the fruits of a spiritual revival. In this way, I consider that our battles need to be faced by praying as Jesus did and imitating His heart.

God is never wrong in the plans He has for us. He has His timing and His perfect ways to respond to our prayers, with the purpose of making His glory known to us and transforming us into His image. For me personally, through His Holy Spirit, God has guided me several times this year to the gospel of John chapter 17, where I am learning how Jesus prays about glorifying the Father (v.1), eternal life (v.3), and finishing His work (v.4). He prays for the disciples to keep His Word (v.6), believe in Him (v.8), be one with Him and God (v.11), be protected from the evil one (v.15), be sanctified in the truth (v.17), evangelize others (v.20), perfect themselves in unity (v.23), see the glory of Christ and reach where He is with the Father (v.24), and experience the love of God dwelling in them ( v.26).

This passage has revolutionized the way I pray. I am convinced that God allowed it to be written so that we would remember the most important things we needed to ask for. He did not assume that we would understand it on our own.

I encourage you to also meditate on this Scripture. Enjoy praying through it before the end of the year. Write about what you are learning and share it with your friends. I am sure it will be a great blessing for everyone.

I am very grateful for how God has helped me to grow in my dependence on Him. He has opened my heart and led me to be more sincere with Him in prayer. It has been a trigger for profound change and more faith. Plus, there are more names of disciples and friends for which to be grateful for in Christ this coming Christmas! Blessed is my savior and teacher Jesus who always helps us to remain at the feet of God! 

Merry Christmas!

Questions for Reflection:

1. At this moment, how are you living out your faith? Is prayer to do God's will your priority? Is Jesus the Lord of your prayer?

2. How have you seen God working in your life over the past year? What can you thank Him for?

Today I Will:

Read through Jesus’ prayer in John 17, then pray your own prayer to God, using John 17 as a guide.

About the Author:

Cristal J. De la Cruz Lugardo has been a disciple for 30 years. She was converted in the university ministry of the Church of Christ in Mexico. She has been married for 24 years to Marín Pérez. They both work for the Church of Mexico as full-time ministers. For 25 years, they were missionaries for the churches in Veracruz and Oaxaca. Currently, they are serving in the eastern part of Mexico. They have two daughters, Daniela and Rebeca. Both are university students and disciples.