Answered Prayer

This morning I would like to take a moment and openly thank God for answered prayer. Paul said pray constantly, and in our world today I can’t imagine not being in constant prayer. Over the years, as I’ve grown in my relationship with the Lord, prayer has become a vital part of that walk. The more He teaches me the more my prayer life changes. Once my prayers were a long list of what I wanted Him to do for me. The more we mature in our relationship to Him, the more we pray for His will to be done in our lives, and the lives of others.

When I was a baby Christian I was afraid to pray for His will to be done, I didn’t really know Him well enough to know what His will was! The longer we walk with Him the better we know Him and the more we trust that His will is far better for us than our own choices. Given to my own devices I would still make poor choices. Thank goodness He has more of my attention and heart.

What should we pray for? Well, I believe no issue is too large or too small to take to our Heavenly Father. This last six weeks I’ve been praying for my boss and friend, Scott Diussa. Scott was assigned to South Africa for FIFA World Cup Soccer. South Africa can be a dangerous place, and I and others who care about Scott had concerns for his safety. The prayers have been answered and he will be coming home soon. Sherelene has had a tough time at work with a hard schedule and I’ve been praying for her to get rest and recover, that prayer has been answered and continues to be answered. I constantly pray for my country, and I believe God is answering those prayers. I pray everyday, a prayer of thankfulness, that I have one more day to serve Him. I’m here today.

If you had a friend but never had or took time to talk with them, your relationship would not grow very strong. If you want to have deep meaningful relationship with your Heavenly Father the first step is to communicate with Him and let Him speak to you as well.

Luke 11
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said unto them, When you pray, say,
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

If you don’t know what to pray, or how to pray, this a great place to start.

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. D700, 24-70 AFS f 2.8 lens.