Reflections: Have you prayed about it?

Sometimes, so many circumstances, encounters, or messages combine about an issue or concern that it becomes obvious they’re not coincidental and that God is trying tell me something. Recently, that issue has been prayer. 

While reading Karen Ehman’s book “Keep It Shut,” her chapter about turning to God before turning to other things really resonated with me; she pointed out that sometimes we talk to everyone else first and sort of use God as a last resort.

While it’s not always wrong to search for resources online or watch a YouTube video about how to do something, the temptation to grab the phone or computer before grabbing the Bible and prayer journal is real. 

My wonderful fellow Globe writer and friend, Tiffany Gravett, made some similar points in her column recently. She shared the conviction God placed in her heart about prayer, comparing our personal prayer lives to a life-sustaining garden that needs regular tending. Thanks, Tiffany; I needed that! 

The Bible is filled with examples of people turning to God in prayer. When the prophet Daniel heard about the conspiracy against him, as jealous co-workers tricked the king into signing a law against praying to anyone except the king, Daniel “went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10). When King Hezekiah received a threatening letter, “he went up to the LORD’s Temple and spread it out before the LORD” (2 Kings 19:14). The book of Acts records the early Church interceding in prayer for Peter (ch. 12), even after fellow apostle James had already been killed for his testimony. Early Christians also prayed for guidance in doctrinal decisions; and the list goes on. 

Prayer isn’t just for dire situations. One of our church’s teaching pastors recently taught on prayer as it relates to practical matters. Pastor Russ, AKA the Guitar Doctor, shared his experience of praying for direction regarding a challenging repair, and God placed exactly the right resource on his heart for the repair to turn out perfectly! When we do need to search online or call for assistance, God can help direct us to the right place. 

Jesus reminds his followers to approach God with the faith of a child. I love to recall an incident many years ago, when our car started making a scary noise and lost power while driving home from errands with the three kids while my husband was at work. Our budget was pretty tight, and I immediately went into panic mode; but then my daughter suggested, “Mom, why don’t we pray?” We did, and the car immediately recovered sufficiently to drive to a shop, where the problem turned out to be a simple and relatively inexpensive fix. 

With all of these reminders, I’ve renewed my commitment to keep my prayer journal handy, recording needs of friends and family as well as my personal concerns. The journal is also a good way to look back and see what God has done, or a reminder to check in with a friend to see how they’re doing. 

My email inbox has recently been filled with reminders to pray about the elections. By the time this Globe issue hits the stands, the results will be in, and regardless of the outcomes, the Bible directs us to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:2), including not just those who are Christian believers and appreciate our prayers for their guidance, but also those whose policy stance or religious affiliation shows that they really need an encounter with God! 

I’m asking God to help me renew my commitment to prayer, trusting Him and hearing from Him as I go through every day. Will you join me?