I asked several thousand people to pray for me a few days ago and I want to report that God answered prayer in a way that gave me joy.
Prayer is such an interesting thing. It isn’t magical. It isn’t a guarantee.
5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 5:5
Deposit and guarantee. I read this verse this morning in Daily Light. If you see this book at a thrift store snatch it up. I grew up with this little devotional, and it is a blessing. I’m often convicted that I use it perhaps like someone uses astrology, but it is pure Scripture, and it always seems appropriate for the day, a message for my heart to feast on.
But guarantees…I like this word. It means really. It’s going to happen. Promises kept. Hope.
IF you have the Spirit, you have a guarantee.
So, I’m back to my thankfulness, also the prayer that was offered up for me.
IF you think I’m petty about my prayer requests I’d understand. I pray about everything: parking spaces, merging in traffic, money stuff, words that I say, behaviors in the classroom, interactions with my children, losing weight, sleepiness, …
I pray about big things too: people’s salvation (my “snatch list”), Israel, the Rapture, China, politics…
Prayer is an invitation to get in on what God is doing. My prayers don’t change God, but they change me, making me hyper aware of the outcome.
I do ask for stuff.
I asked for a blessed weekend, safety, and sweet spirit, and I asked 4,000 people to pray for that with me last Friday.
My niece was married in Chicago on Saturday, and I was asked to participate in the wedding festivities, singing. It was my first long drive without Brian, solo, and I was tired from my life’s responsibilities. Driving while tired isn’t good.
I report that it went GREAT. Everything went GREAT.
The drive was beautiful. Perfect driving conditions. I stopped for coffee and I was never drowsy. The truck functioned perfectly. I’d taken it to be checked over at the dealer the day before.
The wedding was beautiful. The event was a three day affair, and I sang an old song that my niece wanted me to sing. That went fine.
My niece is a musician, a singer, and half of the guests were her musical entourage, those integral to her productions. The Lord helped quell my nerves in such an august crowd.
Half of the guests were Swedish, from Sweden, since my niece’s groom is Swedish. It was fun to meet them. I think they are all marine biologists. Seriously. Or at least several of them have something to do with the oceans and biology and education and whatever saves the earth.
There were sculptors and artists, designers and architects, fashion icons and beautiful people.
And I was there, too.
It was a beautiful thing, and I was happy to see God answering my prayer in a way that gave me joy, not sorrow.
There is still much to be prayed for. People need the Lord. No matter how beautiful you are, how famous, how rich—-YOU NEED JESUS.
I bless my niece, who has a sweet heart, who has seen dark times and dabbled with painful things. I’m praying for her marriage. I’m praying for dear ones to be saved.
Let’s see how God answers this prayer.
Today I’ll be back at the pool, the gym, and back to fasting. The weekend of fest is past. Anticipation has become reflection.
I reflect that God is good.
This is the month of thanks, and God is good.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Maranatha.