Axe Head Prayer
Have you lost your edge?
As we open our hands in surrender, speaking honestly with God about where we lost our edge, what feels like loss draws us deeper into Jesus.
What do you have that you did not receive? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
The story in 2 Kings 6:1-7 is one of surrender and prayer, community and hospitality, purpose and transparency, reconciliation, restoration, and redemption:
The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole, and let us build a place there for us to live.”
And he said, “Go.”
Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?”
“I will,” Elisha replied. And he went with them.
They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. “Oh, my lord,” he cried out, “it was borrowed!”
The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.
CHRONIC ILLNESS CAN DULL OUR AXE HEAD
When chronic illness crashes into our lives, ways of serving that once brought us joy or to which we felt called can suddenly be swallowed by grief, pain, fear, isolation, exhaustion, or depression.
Losing our edge (our ability to love and serve in familiar and fulfilling ways) can be almost as disorienting and sometimes more discouraging than the illness itself.
In 2 Kings 1-2, the company of the prophets met with Elisha and suggested they build a place with enough space for all of them to live together. They needed more space for their growing community.
As we open our hands in surrender, speaking honestly with God about where our axe head flew off, what feels like loss actually draws us deeper into Jesus.
How to Find Your Edge with God’s Help
Prayer keeps us close to God. Today, take some time to think about, pray through, and journal your responses to these questions:
- Have you lost your edge? If so, be curious about where you lost it.
- Have you stopped trusting that God is greater than your illness, deeper than your pain?
- Are you sinking in the muddy waters of affliction?
- Have you been sunk by your circumstances?
- Have you lost faith in God?
Show God where you lost your edge—and when your axe head floats, reach in, and lift it from the water.
AXE HEAD PRAYER
Dear God, You are the source of all that we have. Our lives are gifts from You, yet sometimes it feels as if there is too much to bear. Grief, illness, pain, unfinished projects, and other things take our eyes off You. At times, we are overwhelmed as all these things come crashing down.
As we feel ourselves sinking, we are relieved to remember that we don’t have to carry these burdens alone. You have promised to be with us at every step of this life journey. You are greater than any illness or problem that comes our way. Give us the faith to trust You, to meet You in a prayer of lament, and to surrender our burdens to You.
Turn our hearts toward You and Your Word. Teach us to come alongside others, bear their burdens, and share their load. Remind us that You are the faithful God who keeps us. Your steadfast love will always be with us, and You will never leave us.
Oh, Father, strengthen our faith! Draw us close to You, where we can find our edge once more. Make our axe heads float so we can move forward with joy and peace, knowing You are our strength. In Jesus’ name, amen. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Free Printables
Axe Head Prayer
WHERE DID YOU LOSE YOUR EDGE?
As we open our hands in surrender, speaking with God (honestly) about where our axe head flew off, what feels like loss actually grafts us deeper into Jesus. Ask God to show you where you lost your edge.
What are Your Grace Gifts?
How has God gifted you? Where do you feel His gentle nudge to love one another? Do you feel the Spirit's tug to get involved? A grace gift is a beautiful Holy Spirit-inspired act of ministry that works harmoniously with the gifts given to the Body of Christ.
Ministry of Reconciliation
The word "reconcile" (Greek root kapar, meaning to change or exchange) means to bring together or heal what is broken and encompasses our relationships with God and one another.
Axe Head Lost
The axe head I had dropped, was surrender, death to self, and life in Him. He could teach me how to relax into the work He has for me.
Guerrillas Of Grace: Prayers For The Battle
Ted Loder
An Embarrassingly Beautiful Collection of Prayers
For nearly two decades, this classic collection of tough, beautiful, and earthy prayers has lightened hearts and dared spirits to soar.
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The Cutting Edge
Are you going through the motions without real passion for your faith or God? Have you stopped trusting God? If so, you’ve lost your spiritual edge.
Sharpen your faith again with this message from Jill Briscoe. Her teaching from the story of Elisha and a lost axe in 2 Kings 6 will encourage you that losing your edge is not the end of the story—it can be found with God’s help!AYER