God has drafted you into His prayer army.
Week 42 – Celebrating 100 Years of Oswald Chambers
VERSE: “And greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.” John 14:12
OSWALD: “Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work. Prayer is the battle; it is a matter of indifference where you are. Whichever way God engineers circumstances, the duty is to pray.” – (My Utmost for His Highest, October 17th)
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TODAY’S GUEST: I’m excited to have my friend, Michelle Ule, sharing her “My Utmost” reflection today. Michelle is an author and speaker who has devoted much of her time to studying Oswald Chambers’ writings and personal life in hopes of bringing his timeless truths to future generations. I know you’ll enjoy her insights!
{ Don’t miss the GIVEAWAYS – Plural! – at the end of this post! }
How It Spoke to Michelle…
Writer Edith Schaeffer once told the story of a bedridden woman who never left her room. Yet, every visitor left her presence encouraged and uplifted.
The secret was the woman’s prayer life. She spent her entire day in prayer.
I remembered that story when I took Liz’ hand. “When you envisioned this time in your life, what did you think you would do?”
My spiritual mentor, now in her eighties and wracked by Parkinson’s disease, enunciated slowly. “I saw myself as a helper. I’d drive people to doctor appointments, make meals and pray with them. I never thought I would be so helpless.”
The pain in Liz’ face brought an answering nod from me. It’s exactly what I expected from this exceptional Navy wife and lover of God.
Long ago, Liz shepherded me through the challenges of Navy submarine life with my husband constantly out to sea. It hurt to see her shrunken frame, hear her sadness and not know how to help.
Edith Schaeffer’s story came to mind.
“You know, Liz, anyone can drive people to the doctor or make a meal. But there aren’t as many who would pray. You’ve always been a woman who prayed for others. Perhaps you could embrace that ministry?”
Her eyes brightened as I went on.
“Oswald Chambers liked to say, ‘prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work.’ It’s such an important job and one you can do even if your body isn’t as strong as it used to be.”
Our conversation continued with more hope. The last time I saw her, as I began my Biddy Chambers research, bedridden Liz prayed a blessing over me.
The October 17 reading, “Greater Works,” encourages us that prayer is important no matter our situation.
Oswald and Biddy Chambers incorporated prayer throughout their daily life—starting each morning with prayer together and giving the day to the Lord.
During their years running the Bible Training College, Oswald began each class with prayer while impromptu prayer meetings drifted through the school all day long.
Prayer is the battle; it is a matter of indifference where you are. Whichever way God engineers circumstances, the duty is to pray. - Oswald Chambers Click To TweetOswald’s teachings fit Liz’ life, yours and mine.
I like to call it, “being drafted into God’s prayer army.” Nothing about me—or you—can get in the way of prayer.
Let’s rejoice that our prayers are an important part of any work for God’s Kingdom.
More about Michelle Ule
Bestselling author Michelle Ule is the biographer of Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional and seven other books.
Her November 1 release, A Poppy in Remembrance, is a coming-of-age novel featuring Biddy and Oswald Chambers set during World War I.
You can learn more about her and read further blog posts about Biddy and Oswald Chambers at her website: www.michelleule.com. She posts a daily “Utmost Response,” explaining that day’s My Utmost for His Highest on her Michelle Ule, writer, Facebook page as well.
DON’T MISS THE GIVEAWAYS!!!
Michelle has graciously offered to give away two of her books, Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional and her newest book, A Poppy in Remembrance, which will be releasing on November 1st!
We will pick one winner from each category below:
- COMMENT – leave a message below for your chance to WIN a copy of A Poppy in Remembrance
- SHARE – Go to this Facebook post and “SHARE” for your chance to WIN a copy of Mrs. Oswald Chambers.
We will randomly choose one winner from both categories – you have two chances to win!
CONTEST Extended to October 30th, 2018 at MIDNIGHT
Thank you, Michelle, for your kind generosity and your beautiful post.
Don’t forget to sign up for your FREE “My Utmost” Reading Journal!
Disclosure from Joanna: I make a small commission for purchases made through any affiliate links used in this post.
<< Read WEEK 41 – “When God Seems Silent”
Read WEEK 43 – “Being Shaped for God’s Purposes” >>
I’d love to hear from you… How does recognizing prayer as the “greater work” impact your life?