Day 6 - Draw the Circle - Shameless Audacity

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Theme: The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered simply because they go unasked.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR?
You know that surge of energy you get when you write, pray or create? That's me pressing in and providing. Then there's that feeling when you think you're going alone and I'm not near? That's me waiting to see what you're going to do.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I never doubt the presence of God.  What can wind me up is not having the knowledge of how God will respond to what He sees and hears.  This, of course, makes sense since I am not I AM (Did I hear a collective sigh of relief? Maybe that was just me.)...but it doesn't make it easy. 

Because our God is delightfully, agonizingly, perfectly and righteously unpredictable, I take solace in controlling what I can control. (Yes, this silly girl wants to hold on to this a little longer. Work in progress, remember?). I pray through my day. I serve where I am effective. I try to show up in situations I believe God wants my participation.  God won't always join me in my plans but I can always do my best to show up for His.

I have said that God understands prayer in many languages: groans, tears, poetry, song, simplicity, silence, screams, longing and sighs.  I think another language of prayer is where we show up to serve and work.  As a Stephen Minister, I pray for compassion so I'm given an opportunity to walk with pain.  As a practitioner of natural medicine I pray for God's healing and His provision so I see that miracles still happen.  As a member of small groups, I pray for fellowship so I can see what we are supposed to mean to each other.

I don't want to miss an opportunity to pray through what I say OR DO.  Beloved, we may not get to predict when, where or how God will answer our prayers but with Him, we CAN strategically place ourselves to be there when He does.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?
PRAY and SHOW UP regardless of whether God answers.  Mine is to do me. His is...well, all the rest.

NOW TALK TO GOD...
Father God, I am so grateful that You CALL US TO PRAY. You see each one as a  gift, a sacrificial offering and an act of obedience.  You honor us with Your audience and with that, show us Your tireless love and Your infinite capacity.  Lord, that You would answer while we are being wretched, that You would love us through our sin and You still want us while we are undeserving...it's all too much.  Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and grace. In Jesus' name, amen.