Thursday, September 28, 2023
This week in the LivingItOut, we have been discussing how to PRAY in four easy steps using this acronym. So far, we have reviewed the first two steps:
P = Praise
R = Release/Repent
The third step in the process is A = Ask. Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer to ask God for what we need.
Matthew 6:11 and Matthew 6:13 NKJV
11 “Give us this day our daily bread.”
13 “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one….”
I have had several encounters with God over the years—some have occurred while I was driving. Once, in the wee hours of the morning, after having gone through a couple troubling days, I cried out to God for help. Suddenly, I ran over a bad patch of road that needed repair. Once I caught my breath, God immediately let me know in my heart and mind that what I had been going through was also just a bump in the road.
On another occasion, once again while I was driving, I was crying and praying, asking God to help me with my current challenge and telling him that I just wasn't getting it. I called out to him, “God, what do I need, flashing lights and signs for me to understand the messages you are trying to convey to me?” As I turned onto another street, I immediately had to slam on my brakes! Right in front of me were flashing lights and signs announcing, “Road closed.” No one can convince me that our God doesn’t have a sense of humor!
Fast forward years later, I am now a senior woman and finally understand the importance of exhibiting faith by trusting God and putting him first in everything—even, and perhaps most especially—during the challenging times. Although it took time for me to learn, prayer has become an opportunity to talk to God and patiently listen for his response. I’ve learned to pray in his Spirit and wait for his timing and will as I navigate the issue.
My understanding has grown into wisdom through placing my trust in him. Now, I am better able to apply what I’ve come to understand to my life circumstances as I live in this world without becoming part of it. I know who he is and have subsequently come to know and understand who I am as a daughter of the King.
Thank you for lighting the way with your love, Father God! I no longer need the flashing lights and signs, because I now understand that I have your Holy Spirit to discern, advocate, and provide counsel through your love.
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Questions:
In what ways has God communicated with you?
Did you know it was him communicating with you or did you chalk it up to luck or happenstance?
Next Steps:
Take a moment to write down the times and circumstances in your life where God showed up in a very personal way. Reflect on these times with gratitude, and allow these experiences to build your faith and trust in God as you ask him to give you wisdom. Then apply what you’ve learned to your daily life.
Prayer:
Father God, all praise, and honor are yours. I love you first and foremost. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for showing up in such a personal way when times are tough. Thank you for helping me to feel your presence and to recognize you in the midst of my circumstances so I can grab a hold of you and rest in you as you guide me through the storms of my life. Help me to ask you for what I need instead of complaining. I ask you now to help me place you first in my life from the time I wake up in the morning, throughout each entire day, and into the night as I lay my head down to sleep. I pray in Jesus' most holy name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
John 14:26
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
This post was written by Linda Repka, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.