Plainly Consumed

This week’s GirlTalk Book Club question came from the life of Mary, who, “knowing the cost and weighing it against the immense privilege of becoming the mother of the Christ, surrendered herself unconditionally, saying simply, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word.’”

The question posed was this…

What is one area of your life you need to submit to God’s will, praying as Mary did, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ (Luke 1:38 NKJV)?

But, instead of e-mailing (or in this context, posting) our answers, the assignment was to “consider this question prayerfully and share your answer with your spouse, your mom or a good friend.”

So, in light of the more personal, reflective nature of this week’s question (and answer), I thought I would leave it at that, and post something else from this chapter.  Each chapter is so full of wonderful information about the lives and hearts of these women, that there are many lessons contained in each one.

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One of the main things that I noticed in this chapter was, interestingly, not Mary’s immediate response to the incredible news that she would be a mother.  Her response to the angel’s news was amazing, and one that certainly should be reflected in our own responses to God’s call on each of us.  But, it was the section on “the Magnificat,” Mary’s incredible prayer of worship and praise to God, which stood out to me this week.  Dr. MacArthur calls it “the most magnificent psalm of worship in the New Testament.” (pg. 115)

I have read, and studied this passage of Scripture (Luke 1:46-55) before, but, the chart that Dr. MacArthur gives helps to break it down in a way that I had never considered.  He takes each phrase of this prayer, and matches it up with its Old Testament reference, proving just how familiar Mary was with the content of God’s Word.  She echoed Hannah’s prayers from 1 Samuel, as well as referencing the law, the psalms, and the prophets.This past week, our Sunday school class spent some time praying according to the acronym ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication).  I’ve heard this acronym used many times as a guide during group prayer.  But, I have never been convinced that it works.  Somehow, “adoration” gets merged with “thanksgiving,” if not lost, or overwhelmed by “supplication.”  I have always heard the idea of “praying Scripture” suggested as a way of focusing, but, I don’t know that I have heard many people do it well…until nowMary’s prayer is a wonderful example of this!  (Of course, you must first know the Scripture in order to pray it.)

Notice how she praised the glory and majesty of God while repeatedly acknowledging her own lowliness.  She took no credit for anything good in herself.  But she praised the Lord for His attributes, naming some of the chief ones specifically, including His power, His mercy, and His holiness.  She freely confessed God as the one who had done great things for her, and not vice versa.  The song is all about God’s greatness, His glory, the strength of His arm, and His faithfulness across the generations. (pg. 119)

Too often, whether in personal or corporate prayer, we focus on ourselves…our needs, our wants, our fears, our weaknesses.  Instead, like Mary, we should be “plainly consumed by the wonder of His grace” to us!