God – Are You There?
by Jan Cox
Do you find sometimes that you pray and pray and pray about something and nothing seems to happen?
I have found that usually that happens because God has another plan. He has either a totally different plan or my timing is wrong and I must wait.
Going ahead of God, I have found is NOT a good idea.
I remember Abraham’s story. I see him trying to make God’s promise of a great nation come true. He got tired of waiting – he thought he was getting too old. So he birthed Ishmael through Hagar, Sarah’s servant, because he listened to his wife who said:
“Go, sleep with my maidservant, perhaps I can build a family through her” (Genesis 16:2 NIV).
Sometimes I think and act before I pray – another NOT so good idea.
“We can ever remain powerless, as were the disciples, by trying to do God’s work not in concentration on His power, but by ideas drawn from our own temperament. We slander God by our very eagerness to work for Him without knowing Him.”1
Jesus tells His disciples, after they could not drive out an evil spirit:
“This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29 NIV).
If I am faced with a wall – where nothing seems to be working – I need to stop fretting and pray. And pray some more.
“This is your line of service – to see that there is nothing between Jesus and yourself. Is there? If there is, you must get through it, not by ignoring it in irritation, or by mounting up, but by facing it and getting through it into the presence of Jesus Christ.”2
That certainly shows me the power of prayer.
From the beginning of time our wills fight for supremacy instead of God.
Let us pray.
Prayer:
Father we know and acknowledge that You alone have the power to change lives. We need to be here – in Your Presence to get right with You.
Help us to clear a path to You – to get rid of any bramble or brush in our spirits that block that path.
Help us be face to face with You, Jesus. We know You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We lay down before You – offer ourselves and open our hearts and minds to listen to Your words. In Your name, Jesus, we pray.
1, and 2 Oswald Chambers October 3
My Gratitude List for this week:
- A caring Naturopath
- A three-handed game of Cribbage
- Watching grandchildren play Monopoly
- Laughter when things go wrong
- Ladder hitting the fan – blade ripped off – no one hurt
- Aching muscles that tell me I have worked
- Ann’s words: “Anything less than gratitude and trust is practical atheism.”
- Haliburton’s colours – fall’s beauty
- Giving thanks is a verb – do thanks by serving (Ann Voskamp)
- Amazing conference – thanks Kelita and all the women who put this together
- A great sister connection – thanks Kathy
Jan Cox
Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan has written a children’s book in which she is also the watercolour illustrator. She hopes to publish it this year.