I pray. I pray ALOT! I can be having a conversation with you and be praying at the same time. As a matter of fact, I am praying right now as I type. There is just such a blessing in praying, and I don’t mean the things I pray for - there is blessing in prayer itself. There is such an intimacy with the Lord when I pray. I am in His throne room, as He leans gently in to hear my prayers. The only thing that can compare to that is knowing He will answer within His will. I am assured I am answered with the very best answer there can be - because it is my fair, just and loving Lord doing the answering.
Here’s the thing, though. I have not been good at showing my children the wonder of prayer. Oh, they know I pray. They know I pray for them. But I find I have fallen down on being specific with them about what I am praying for their lives. As a result, things happen in their lives and they have no idea that the glory MUST go to God. So, when my fifteen-year-old went on Thursday to a local fast-food joint to apply [again] for a job, I was very vocal about my prayer. I told her I was praying for calm nerves and an opportunity for an interview. When she walked out of the restaurant a mere four minutes later, I was excited to hear how God had worked it out. Crysta hopped in the car and said, “I have an interview tomorrow afternoon at 4:45!” She was pretty excited, to say the least.
By Friday afternoon, Crysta was again getting nervous. She did not want to pray with me, but I did tell her my specific prayers. When she came out ten minutes later, she had a job - her first, other than babysitting. And the great news is this manager understands the value of having a homeschooled employee. He can work her for three hours a day between 7am and 7pm. He has chosen to work her during the lunch rush, which works perfectly with our schooling. Even as excited as she was, she mentioned that it was “cool” that God answered specific prayers!
Now, God is not a genie. And I did explain all that to Crysta. He answers pray based on His will - and His will can be to say “Yes”, “No” or “Wait”! This time around God’s answer was “Yes”. I am striving to show her how to accept “No” and “Wait”.
We are off to church. Pastor Pat is beginning expository preaching through Romans. [We just wrapped up Matthew.] I know we will be blessed by the experience. I pray you all have a wonderful Sunday and that your time with the Lord be a balm to your soul.
R.
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