Won’t work in theory, only in practice ∙

Won’t work in theory, only in practice ∙

With people, it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God. – Mark 10:27

Hebrews 11:1-6

 1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.

 3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.

 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Faith, Innovation, and the Impossible

David Boggs, a brilliant thinker at the Xerox PARC laboratory, faced a challenging task: solving a complex and seemingly impossible problem. His solution would not only succeed but would also revolutionize the world. Over two years, Boggs created the technology that let electrical pulses move from a computer to other devices, like printers, using cables. This revolutionary invention was Ethernet, which later formed the base for Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

Boggs didn’t stop there. He continued to develop other transformative technologies, including the mouse, the word processor, and the laser. However, his journey was not easy. He faced skepticism and ongoing criticism from naysayers who argued that Ethernet could never connect with most machines. Boggs’s response was both clever and profound: “Ethernet does not work in theory, only in practice.”

Faith and Miracles: The Ultimate “Impossible”

Boggs’s story serves as a metaphor for faith. Without God, in theory, miracles cannot happen. But, in practice, they do anyway. The Bible is filled with examples of the impossible becoming possible through God’s power:

• The Red Sea parted for the Israelites to escape Pharaoh’s army (Exodus 14).
• The sun stood still during Joshua’s battle (Joshua 10:12-14).
• Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:25).
• The blind and lame were healed (John 9:1-7).
• The dead were raised to life, including Jesus Himself (John 11:43-44; Matthew 28:6).

The Lord Jesus Christ emphasized the power of faith in Matthew 17:20: “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you.”

Through faith, the children of the King can see the impossible become possible with the Father. This power is not random or self-serving; it must align with the Father’s will and purpose.

Aligning with the Father’s Will

To achieve what seems impossible, we must first understand and align ourselves with the Father’s will. This understanding develops from a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As we pray effectively and seek His guidance, the Father often discloses His will and purpose.

However, effective prayer requires:

• A Pure Heart: We must ensure that our intentions are free from selfish motives and impurities.
• Alignment with God’s Will: Effective prayer is not about imposing our desires; rather, it is about carrying out the Father’s will into existence.
• Faithful Persistence: Prayer is a spiritual discipline that requires trust, patience, and perseverance.

As James reminds us in James 5:16-18: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.”

Elijah’s prayers were remarkably effective because they perfectly coincided with God’s will. How did this happen?

REFLECT & PRAY

When was the last time you moved a mountain, caused it to rain, or made the rain stop through prayer?

Father, thank You that the impossible is possible with You. Teach me to pray as the Lord Jesus Christ prayed, so that Your will is done, even when it seems impossible. Help me to trust in Your power and align my heart with Your purpose.

INSIGHT

How to Pray Effectively

How did Elisha know what to pray? The answer is simple: the Father told him. Effective prayer is not a random act or wishful thinking. Instead, it is a spiritual science with laws that can be learned and applied. To pray effectively, we must understand what the Father wants to accomplish and pray in alignment with His purpose. Effective prayer arises from a divine conversation rooted in our personal relationship with God. We seek to discover God’s will on a matter and pray it into existence.

Elijah’s Example: Hearing and Obeying God’s Word

Elijah’s prayers and actions were based not on his own desires, but on a direct word of the Lord. Consider these moments from Elijah’s life:

1 Kings 17:1, “Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there will be no dew or rain in the years ahead unless I give the command.’”

1 Kings 17:2, “The word of the LORD came to him, saying . . .”

1 Kings 18:1, “Now it happened after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, ‘Go, show yourself to Ahab, and tell him that I will soon send rain!’”

Elijah’s prayers were powerful because they expressed God’s will. He followed God’s instructions and prayed in accordance with them. This demonstrates that prayer is not about altering God’s will to match ours, but about aligning our hearts with His divine plans.

The Purpose of Prayer: Relationship, Not Requests

Prayer is not simply ordering from a restaurant menu or rubbing a magic lamp to make our wishes come true. Its primary purpose is to develop a closer, more personal relationship with the Father. The disciples recognized this when they saw the Lord Jesus Christ praying. They observed the power and results of His prayers and made a simple yet profound request, Luke 11:1: “Lord, teach us to pray.”

Jesus’ Model for Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer

In response, Jesus provided a model for prayer that emphasizes both intimacy and reverence in Luke 11:2-4: “This is how you should pray: ‘Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.’”

Addressing God as Father (Abba, Pater)

The Greek term pater is equivalent to the Aramaic term Abba, which conveys an intimate, warm, and close relationship. In English, it is akin to saying “Daddy” or “Poppa.” This term reflects the deep, personal connection we are invited to have with the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ used this term in His agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Mark 14:36: “‘Abba, Father,’ He cried out.”

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of addressing God as Abba in his letters.

Paul declares in Galatians 4:6: “And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Paul writes in Romans 8:15: “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Honoring God’s Name (Hagiazo)

The phrase “hallowed be your name” comes from the Greek word hagiazo, meaning “to make holy, consecrate, or sanctify.” This is a request that God’s name, His reputation, and all that is said about Him be treated with reverence and honor. It reflects the balance between intimacy and sacredness in our relationship with the Father.

Forgiveness is Proportional

Jesus teaches us to ask for forgiveness, but adds a critical condition: “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

He introduces an unexpected idea: we will be forgiven to the extent that we forgive others. In other words, the forgiveness we receive from the Father is directly proportional to our willingness to forgive others. This concept carries significant and practical implications for our lives.

Pause and reflect: “If I do not forgive others, how much will we be forgiven?”

Trials and Temptations

Jesus concludes the prayer with: “And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

This does not mean that God tempts us, as He is holy. However, the Father often allows His children to face trials, hardships, and tests to refine their faith, purge sin, and prepare them for greater service. Consider the example of Jesus Himself, Matthew 4:1: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

The trials that Jesus faced were not intended to defeat Him but to showcase His readiness for service. By successfully overcoming these challenges, He was affirmed as the Messiah and Savior of the world. In the same way, our own trials serve as opportunities for growth and preparation for God’s purposes.

Effective Prayer: The Key to the Impossible

David Boggs’s journey of innovation teaches us that what seems impossible in theory can become reality in practice. Similarly, faith enables us to see the unseen and trust in God’s power to accomplish the impossible. Through prayer, obedience, and aligning with the Father’s will, we can take part in His miraculous work and see challenges that seem insurmountable overcome.

With effective prayer, the children of the King can accomplish the impossible. However, such prayer requires a right heart, free from selfish motives and unforgiveness. We must know what God wants to do and pray it into existence, even when it seems impossible.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 4-26-2

© Dr. H 2025