January 16, 2019

ON PRAYER:

Dear Reader ~ As I approach this new venture in an attempt to share some of my spiritual insights through living, as well as the insights of others who share their experiences with me, I lean on God for guidance. I have chosen prayer as a starting point in sharing my experiences and slow growth in understanding its awesome power.

Like so many, for years I approached prayer as a last resort when faced with dilemmas that seemed to be overwhelming, viewing God's role in my life as a rescuer. I couldn't have been more wrong in this assumption. I discovered in moments of testing prayers power that God was listening and was not too busy to be concerned with my trivial matters. I began trusting Him in small, insignificant challenges. When I couldn't find my keys I would pray “God, I don't know where they are, but You do. Could you show me?” Usually within 15 or 20 minutes I would stumble upon them.

Next I had to learn to be thankful for answers, no matter how small His guidance might appear to me. I am thankful that such a powerful God can still address my trivial requests when I consider the multitude of major issues others have laid at His throne.

I am reminded of a true story I heard about a few years ago. There was a pastor in a church who was known for his trust and reliance on God and was quite revered because of his trusting and his walk with God. A young man came to him with a multitude of problems and laid them out to the pastor. When he finished he asked the pastor, “What should I do?” The pastor replied, “You should pray about it.” The young man said, “I have” to which the pastor replied, “Then what's the problem?”

I pray that in my life I can develop that deep of a trust in God's guidance and wisdom. I have learned over time that God rarely answers my prayers in a manner that I would expect or hope for, but rather in the best way possible. In many instances I have looked in hindsight at the situation and smile when I realize that my expectations would have created further problems and that God's solution was the correct one. I also have come to realize that the Apostle John was on target when he advised us to give thanks for whatever solution is on its was and not wait until the answer is realized. The answer will com.