I Asked, He Answered!

I asked God for something the other day – something I couldn’t do for myself. It was a small, seemingly insignificant request – one that my world wouldn’t have ended, if it didn’t happen. And yet, God answered – in a way that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt- it was Him!

When we read passages like Matthew 6 on prayer, do we take it seriously? I love this passage in any version, but today, I am posting it from The Message, (hope it blesses you like it did me):

5″And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6″Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

7-13″The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

I love the verse which says, “…and then you will begin to sense His grace.”

All answered prayer is grace, grace from a loving Father who DOES KNOW what we have need of, but wants us to so be one with Him that we ASK! That the life giving sap of the VINE flows through our veins and we begin to speak out with words, the essence of His grace.

What a powerful thought – that as we pray, we can declare the very heart of God – how true that it is – but it sometimes takes a very small, seemingy impossible request to remember that!

Have a wonderfully, glorious, prayer-filled day,
Maria