THE PRAYER MEETING

SICKNESS & THE PRAYER MEETING

 

Peter quotes and comments on Isa. 53:4-9 and teaches that the purpose of the death of Christ on the cross was not for physical healing but that the paralysis of living in sin was dealt with and done away. (1 Pet. 2:21-25). This with other verses from the New Testament should bring a new understanding of what is said and asked for in the prayer meeting. It took men living around the Savior in a ministry with Him to understand what was being said in the OT scriptures. The came to understand that instead of the alleviation of suffering we are called for the very purpose of suffering and from which men shrink. Christ left an example which men today refuse to follow. When suffering of any degree come into their experience they call upon the One to remove the experience saying He owes that to them because of Isa. 53:5. Peter sharply disagrees with that interpretation and comments in these verses that the purpose of suffering was for an example, not an excuse for removal. Paul also agrees with tribulation being a friend for "it worketh patience, therefore rejoice in it” (Rom 5:3); And he says that in our affliction we should rejoice also for "Affliction works a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, therefore rejoice in your affliction” (2 Cor. 4:17); and sorrows are our ally for "Godly sorrow worketh repentance" (2 Cor. 7:10).Men in the church today shrink from the things which are their allies, friends, and for which they are to give prayers of thanksgiving instead of their removal. Instead today they ask for intercession. They do not know God very well and for what He has called them. Out of tribulation, comes patience which leads on to confidence and hope of ultimate victory. Afflictions which can be dismissed in the light of eternity as light afflictions, which are but for the moment according to the Apostle Paul who went through several beatings, are seen to be working out the weight of eternal glory. Sorrows of the soul are working toward the change of mind which means its transformation into perfect harmony with the mind of Christ Himself. All this is the outcome of knowing God. We need to cooperate with the process not demand a life of ease and comfort.  Through suffering we learn obedience as the Son left us His example (Heb. 5:8). Through the process that Peter says we are called, of suffering and weakness, joy and triumph come. That is a clear vision of God. When we see God through Christ we are no longer bound to secondary issues of this life but we gain a close relationship to the Primary and Final Cause. That is why Paul and Silas sang and said prayers of thanksgiving (kai) in prison after a severe beating (Acts 16:25). Finally at the start of 1 Pet. 4 he states that since Christ went through suffering in the flesh, we are to "arm yourself also with the same purpose." See Matt. 8:17 where Christ quotes this verse.