Essays
A Godward Gaze
A godward gaze
One of the first commentaries we’re given regarding the status of the early saints in the time following Jesus’ ascension is found in Acts 1:12-14 - - they returned to the upper room in Jerusalem and all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer.
Luke’s gospel adds, “they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, praising God” (Lk.24:52-53). This Godward gaze is what sustained the disciples of the first century and it is that which will also sustain us as twenty-first century Christians.
The apostle Paul promoted this GODWARD-GAZE LIFESTYLE with phrases like - - prayer at all times (Eph.6:18) and pray without ceasing (1Thess.5:17). For Christians, prayer is more than just an occasional perfunctory pause to perform a ritualistic expression of piety. In the New Testament prayer is viewed as a state of mind and a disposition of the heart by which we “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name” (Heb.13:15). John MacArthur writes, “Prayer is like breathing for us. The natural thing for us to do is commune with God”. Our prayers ought to be continual and constant. When tempted and tried, we ask for help; when we experience the good things in life, we thank God; when we observe evil in our world, we pray for a strength to combat such; when we encounter troubles, we seek perseverance and God’s guidance.
Our prayers need to be fervent - - a word with roots that means, “to boil or glow”. Our prayers also need to be persistent. Jesus emphasized this point as a follow-up to the model prayer (Lk.11:5-8). It is not that our God has to be roused from slumber, but rather that we need to learn patience and persistence. There is something about WAITING that is M-A-T-U-R-I-N-G (Ps.40:1). Thus, we need to A.S.K. as Jesus taught (asking…seeking…knocking - - Lk.11:9-10). When we cultivate a Godward gaze characterized by devotion, fervency and persistence, we can rest on the promise that the Judge of all the earth will do what is right (Gen.18:25 - - cf. Lk.18:1-8).
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church Of Christ
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