Then after choir rehearsal last night, our associate worship pastor was sharing with us some things that have been on his heart. He was saying how we have so much going on in the world right now. The economy, the dumb swine flu, the Houston flood, and all of these things just keep adding up and swirling around us, overwhelming us. He said that we are all praying and that some of us are starting to feel like WHAT IS THE ANSWER?! He mentioned how often we only go to God in prayer because of what He can do for us. We pray because we think we could get something out of it. We think we can get what we want and pray to Him enough so that we can get what WE have planned for our lives. (All those convicted by the last 3 sentences say aye.)
Aye.
But the thing is, HE IS THE GIFT. He is the answer. Even if He never answers that prayer I've been praying, even if He never says a word (which I firmly believe will not happen cause my God just ain't like that) we can feel content and at peace and full of hope because He is who He says He is. He is enough. He is more than enough. Don't pray because of what He can do for You. Pray because of what He did for you!
So even if His answer isn't the one you wanted, He still answered you. He still saved you. He still has chosen you to be His child and spend eternity with Him. That is so much more than any earthly thing you are asking of Him.
And ya know what? The more I think about Him not responding to my prayer... the more I think He's actually just saying "Wait, baby girl. Just wait."
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".
Great post! Thank you! I needed this!
ReplyDeleteLove this. I needed to hear this too! Thanks for the insight. Love you girl.
ReplyDelete-Jess
Um, have you been looking inside my heart this week?? I love you.
ReplyDeleteVery encouraging Jen. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteAye.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder and the encouragement!
i think i've told you before, but that verse in romans is SO my verse lately. i want to "overflow."
ReplyDeletei was thinking about prayer as i was just driving back from the preschool...wishing i had time to blog...but this will have to do.
i want to pray prayers that arent' about writing a check and asking God to endorse it...y'know? asking for my plans to be blessed by God.
i want to hand God a blank check with my signature that say, "yes, God, to whatever you want to bring into my life that will bring YOU glory." that used to be a scary concept...that i would invite pain and suffering into my life, but the more i pray it, the more i get to know MY GOD, the more i know He is always with me and that the blessings i will have are more than an easy life, but more about that sweet fellowship in the midst of whatever i am chosen to walk through.
okay, sorry it was long, but your post resonated with what i've been thinking lately. maybe i will blog soon...especially as the national day of prayer is next week....
blessings!
One of my all time fav scriptures!
ReplyDeletepraying for all of us friend...
hugs,
Fran
I LOVE this post, Jen! I so agree!
ReplyDeletethank you, sweet Jen. that was lovely.
ReplyDelete::taylor