Prayer, Chapter 12

Prayer...
I wish I could tell you I was a great prayer warrior. I am not. If you ask for prayer I will probably pray right then so I'm sure to pray for you. Oh, I have a list, but I don't like praying through lists, it just seems wrong to pray the same thing over and over. That is why I like the story in Luke 11 starting in verse 5 where Jesus tells His disciples about persistent prayer.

One of my shortcomings when I pray is that I expect God to answer my prayer right away just like I asked. He doesn't do that. You'd think I know that by now. I expected everything in Seattle was going to go just the way I was told and the way I prayed. I'd get rid of the cancer, get a bone marrow transplant and live happily for at least another 10 years. I forget I serve an omnipotent God who knows so much more than I do. I think He knew that plan wasn't going to work well for me. So even while I'm praying for that plan, He is setting something else in motion. Because of His plan I was able to come home 4 or more weeks early and I get to return to a life that is closer to my normal. 

My devotion from Jesus Calling this morning said this...
When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out you concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results. When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way. If you keep stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension. When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mind-set becomes much more positive. Thankful prayers keep your focus on My Presence and My promises.
​
Please help your children know they can talk to God like a true friend. He cares. He wants them to talk to Him. He loves all of us. Also teach them that God is like daddy and mommy. He knows what is best even when it doesn't make sense to us. Our story about Gideon is a good example of that. After Gideon believes God wants him to lead the army, God tells him to use only 300 men. That sounds so crazy to us. But it was God's battle and He wanted the people to trust in Him, not their numbers. They won the battle because of God. (My cancer is God's battle too.)

Please read this week's lesson with your children and teens. Discuss it together and grow together.
Mr. Chuck