“So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24

An excerpt from my prayer journal – dated yesterday:

“What am I to do, Lord? Please give me an answer. Would it even matter? “ ………

“Very funny Lord. You are just sitting up there chuckling at me aren’t You? Thank You for that text. You are a good and faithful God.”

Here is what happened. I have been seeking God’s answer for over 6 months on that question. And I have really taken it to heart, and prayed for direction. It has been a very serious daily endeavor for me. And to be honest, I have felt the presence of God through it, but I haven’t received the ANSWER. You know, the big, flashing neon sign saying “DO THIS!” But I keep asking because I really want to know what He wants me to do. It is so important to me that I know I am in His will, that I won’t make a move until I am sure of what He wants.

So, I am sitting in my prayer chair, once again fervently praying for Him to give me an answer. This is serious stuff. But, dang it, my phone keeps beeping at me! I try to ignore it, but it continues. No, it can wait. This is my time with the Lord, and it is precious. Nothing is going to interrupt us.

Ding, Ding, – “answer me” it taunts me.

“NO! I am listening for an answer from God”

Ding, Ding…

“Aargh… I only have 10 more minutes until my kids get home. I am staying right here.”

Ding, Ding… It might be your kids needing you…

“OK!! I guess I can pray later (angrily stomping over to the phone)…”

Can you imagine my shock, friends, when I saw a text from an old friend, completely out of the blue, with very much part of the answer I was seeking in my prayer? It was amazing. It wasn’t the whole answer I am looking for. But it was definitely an affirmation that God is listening and that He is fully engaged with me. In a one-line text, He didn’t tell me where to go, but He told me to keep walking in this direction. He affirmed that He is with me, and assured me that I will get my answer at the right time.

What an awesome God! And I am so thankful to that sweet friend for following her instincts and sending me that much needed message.

What did I learn from this?

Don’t put God in a box!

1. Don’t pre-determine how He will speak with you. Don’t close your eyes to the possibility that He might just interrupt your carefully constructed plans to give you what you need.
2. If you are asking for something, have faith that He will answer. It might not be when you want, or even what you want – But He has promised to answer. And we need to hold on to that.
3. And above all else, never underestimate His sense of humor. He delights in us, and I believe has much joy in helping us to find our way. Whereas I might be overly burdened with my approach to finding Him, His ways can be light and carefree.

Most gracious Father,

Thank You for Your continued presence with me. I know You are here, even if You are not giving me what I want in this moment. I trust that You are giving me what I need. You surprise me, Lord, and never do what I expect. You delight me in the ways You reveal yourself to me. You are my King, in whom I place my trust.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

Lectio Divina Passage for today:

 “When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him  and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.”  And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.”  The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” – Matthew 8:5-10

 Today’s song: (An oldie but goodie!) Come Thou Font of Every Blessing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax_NMWLEb6U