“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go . . .” a quote spoke by Abraham Lincoln as the Civil War waged on during his presidency. Spoken further . . . “My own wisdom and that of all about me was insufficient for that day.”
I read the quote while visiting Marsha’s blog and watching this video. On Saturday morning, the postman delivered this package from Kathy. Inside?
It now hangs in my bedroom so that it cannot be missed with my “lying down for the night” and my “rising up for the day.” A reminder of the power and privilege that is mine as God’s child. That my convictions—those soul-stirrings that refuse release—belong to my knees and that surely, like Lincoln, “my own wisdom and all of that about me is insufficient for this day.”
Today, I find my knees, because no matter the places I’ve tried to put my trust—find my anchor and hold my ground—they’ve all fallen short and not brought about the peace I desire. Today, I need to talk to Jesus about some things. Things not easily resolved with my “riding in the van” or “taking a walk” kinds of prayers. Not “over the dishes” or “putting away clothes” kinds of prayers. No, these things require a bit more deliberation. These issues I’m staring at full force on need the benefit of knees and worn carpet and an intentional posture in my heart before the Lord.
I imagine you’ve had a few moments like this in your own journey with Jesus—times when you needed to pour out your tears, worries, and fears before him in a safe place. Times free of distractions when the only noises around you are the whispers of Eden . . . the promptings of grace. Times when the “war” going on around you and inside of you is an assault to your faith and only by stepping back and kneeling down can you gain proper perspective—God’s perspective.
Are you willing to live that kind of prayer life, a knee-bending, wear out the carpet kind of prayer life? Are your prayers in response to the truth that you have no where else to go . . . that your own wisdom and all of that about you is insufficient for the task at hand? Or, are your prayers simply added as a postscript to human effort and manipulation?
I don’t want to reserve my knees for special seasons of extraordinary struggle. Instead, I want to default to their bending on every occasion . . . a prayer posture that doesn’t wait for disaster to strike but rather, a prayer posture that is willing to bend the knee in all of life’s matters, whether large and intrusive or small and slightly irritating. Left to my own configuring, I remain as I am—sacred, hostile, manipulative, and worried. On my knees and before the Father, I live higher. I find peace and perspective . . . less of a need to control and better able to concede my will to God’s.
There’s a deep insufficiency within me to handle all of life and its rude interruptions. There’s a deep sufficiency in Christ, more so, to cover them all.
For this day and for the next, and for however many remain in this earthly pilgrimage, may the overwhelming conviction of our hearts remind us that we have only one place to go to find our peace for the journey. To our knees, before our King. He deserves nothing less. Even so, bring your heart before his throne today. As always . . .
Peace for the journey,
With age, comes wisdom…and the older I get, the more I see that things going on around me require far more wisdom than I have and highlight the need to approach them on my knees.
It was many years ago, yet somehow strangely recent, that I spent a season on my knees; on my face, actually. Almost every day I'd pack up my Bible and blanket, head to a local park, and lay among the Fir trees and weep. I thought the tears would never subside so torrential were they. The fear too.
Job was my best friend in those days; for he alone seemed to understand the extreme poverty of my soul. Then I came understand that God did too; and that He – as you rightly tell us – was, and is sufficient.
I have never doubted Him since, even when those tears threaten to return. He has kept them, and me securely cloistered in His sight.
What a blessing you are!
"Are your prayers in response to the truth that you have no where else to go… that your own wisdom and all of that about you is insufficient for the task at hand? Or, are your prayers simply added as a postscript to human effort and manipulation?"
I have known both kinds many times, more of the second I'm afraid…
It's the first kind that brings God's very best results, it's there that he gets our full attention… usually AFTER I have tried to figure it out on my own.
You continue to bless with your words and your heart.
Thank you. Love you!
oh if you knew how timely this is for me. Elaine, this is HARD! Where else to go but on my knees??
This is such a beautiful quote, Elaine. It is my first time to read it… so I am grateful to you for introducing it to me. It is a quote I will write on my journal entry for tonight, before I sleep.
I agree with your words on this post (as I always do, anyway).
We need to pray prayers that remind us that our very life depends on them. For sustenance. For growth.
And if only that we may resort to praying with groans too deep for words, God leads us to the end of ourselves. I know this to be true in my own life.
And prayer is not always about me…though most of the time it is. We also need to be a burden bearer and a vision keeper for someone other than ourselves.
Tonight, after I write this quote down, dear friend, I will go down on my knees for you. I say this not to impress you… but only that you may be encouraged one more time. You are not alone in your journey.
Keeping you close,
Lidj
Amen! I admit, I pray throughout the day. Little snippets here and there. I have longer prayers in the mornings and at night, but it is rare that I'm on my knees for any length of time.
Thanks for the challenge and inspiration, Elaine!
Love you (6 more days!)
Perfect timing for me, Elaine. I've been grappling with so many "wondering issues" lately, and the theme of wrestling prayer and holy boldness keep coming to my attention. As usual, God used you in the process.
Left to my own configuring, I remain as I am—scared, hostile, manipulative, and worried. On my knees and before the Father, I live higher. I find peace and perspective… less of a need to control and better able to concede my will to God's.
There’s a deep insufficiency within me to handle all of life and its rude interruptions. There’s a deep sufficiency in Christ, more so, to cover them all.
Yes. Thank You, Jesus.
Elaine, I was Amen-ing all the way through your post. In my heart, I want to be ever on my knees before the Father. Yes, my strength and wisdom is insufficient for my days…
A huge Amen from down here. A postnote to last week: God spoke to BOTH myself and my husband through the pastor's words on Weds night– the moment I have been praying for three years for. Am uplifted for the journey.
so good sister! i do think we have to be in an attitude of prayer all through the day, but there is nothing like having a deep, intense prayer time with Him, on our faces before we start our day…
love you so !
If you haven't watched the video, click on Marsha's link for the viewing. It's a moment of worship for me every time I see it.
peace~elaine
What a beautiful gift from your friend! You raise some serious reflections. Do we just use our knees for our desperate needs, or do we drop to our knees in everything…thanksgiving, prayer requests, and even in seeking a deeper relationship with our Maker. It's all good…
Beautifully said, as always Elaine.
Thank you for this post…I really needed to read this today.
Blessings to you,
Susan
I like what you said about not reserving our knees just for times of deep struggle. We really should be on our knees before our King everyday. Thanks for this reminder. Many blessings!
I'm also at a "no place to go but my knees" situation concerning our teenage son. Being blindsided never fails to knock the wind out of my sails but God is never taken off guard.
I'll be praying for your situation as well, whatever it may be. God knows and has a plan.
For too long
too many of us
have tolerated a too shallow
approach to our spiritual lives.
As such, our "normal" experiences have been too dependent upon our too fickle emotions.
I (among many who have been challenged by your words here) intend to take seriously the invitation, yea the CALL, to humble myself in the eyes of the Lord…to seek His face for the needs of our family, my friends, our church, our country, and our world.
Love this simple reminder, that is far from simple when done.
Love the picture!
Amen Elaine. The only place to go. Truly, it is.
Prayer is more than an afterthought. God loves it when we come before Him during all seasons of our lives and through all circumstances in our lives. When we express our thanks, relive our joys, cry out in our pain and fear to Him, God listens and our relationship with Him deepens. Prayer is such a gift!
Living for Him, Joan
I too have a couple of those situations that require no where to go but your knees. Your insight and wisdom here bless me as always. HUGS
It's fascinating to me that while our "everyday" prayers said while going about our day are indeed important, there's true power in being humbled and penitent before our Savior. As you noted, it's a physical and emotional posture that lays our souls out to He who can bring about that peace that we seek.
I want those worn-out carpet prayers too Elaine… Thank you for the lovely and eloquent reminder.
Have a Blessed Day!
Elaine, This is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever read. It moved me deeply.
I loved these lines: "Left to my own configuring, I remain as I am—scared, hostile, manipulative, and worried. On my knees and before the Father, I live higher."
Oh, that I may learn how to kneel, that He might raise me up…
Praying for you in this season.
Thank you for the peace you brought to my journey today.
GOD BLESS!
wifeforthejourney:
Most believers find how a crisis can bring us to our knees, Lincoln's confession is a powerful reminder. The timing of the video you showed me, together with the arrival of Kathy's gift was certainly God's way of reminding me how close He really is.
As we all move through the events of our day today, I pray that each one of us will see God's hand at work in ways that strengthen and uphold.
Elaine, thank you for your faithfulness to encourage us all.
Love,
Billy
Elaine,
Since James died, I've spent a lot of time on my knees, pouring out my heart, crying, looking for answers, whispering prayers of gratitude and looking for peace. God and His precious Son have me by the hand and are letting me rest in the shelter of their love. I could not have made it here without God's grace and love. He is my sufficiency.
I pray for you every day, sweet lady. May God heal you and bring you peace for your journey.
Love,
Brenda
Sweet Elaine, it's taken me until now to hope over here and read what you wrote regarding the quote from the video. May I just say, I'm humbled to the core that something the the Lord lead me to put up on my blog has blessed you this much.
I think the video is one of the most compelling and convicting I've ever watched. I'm like you, I fall to my knees each time I watch it.
May the overwhelming conviction that we have nowhere else to go continue to drive us to our knees.
You are loved, my friend.
AMEN!! I so need to do this more. Joe and I pray most mornings at the kitchen table but there is something most sacred about being on ones knees….
Blessings~Pamela
Amen.