Blog

• prayer

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Prov. 16:3)

What kind of difference do your prayers make when you’re making plans? Do you take it all to God in prayer, seeking his guidance?

We strive to do that as a ministry and as individuals—to commit to the Lord whatever we do, seeking his will as he orders our steps. But what does that look like?

There is no sign falling from the sky, no lighted path presented before us, nor is there a booming voice (I hear God as a bass) giving rapid-fire directions like a cosmic GPS.

Philip Yancey in his book on prayer said that prayer is an aligning of our will with God’s. I like that description and pray that God will align my will with his. However, even if I don’t receive a clear answer, by lifting my prayers to God and seeking him before making personal or ministry plans, I am reminded that the most important thing is to place my trust in him who provides, who blesses, who loves, protects, and guides.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

• prayer

Verizon marketed a catchy question we often ask when passing through areas with poor cell reception. Last Friday, I was driving in the mountains from Denver to Estes Park, where cell service is a bit spotty. The beauty of God’s creation is a hindrance to cell towers and a consistent phone connection, but the drive is definitely worth it!

Board President, Katie, and I had already been talking for a while, but we had transitioned to some prayer time when I began to navigate some of the mountain roads.

I started our prayers by lifting to the Father several personal and ministry issues that we wanted to leave in his hands. Katie listened and offered her silent “amen.” After a time of silence in my prayer, Katie thought I was taking a pause and wondered if she should start praying aloud now herself. Nope. The call had dropped.

I called her back and continued my prayer, unsure of what she had heard or not.

Following another time of silence, Katie began her prayers, thinking that I was finished. Nope. The call had dropped again, but it had taken us longer to realize it that time.

When we finally got connected again, we chuckled about the way in which we didn’t want to interrupt the other person’s prayer, and were unsure about how much the other person heard, but that, really, it didn’t matter.  God had heard us.

God’s ears do not depend on a cell tower. His attention is not limited to only one person at a time. “Can you hear me now?” God’s answer is always yes!