So many times we pray and we have an expectation. We send up
a few words, we talk to the Lord about our burning desire, our passion for this
prayer request, we pray fervently, we wait and 15 minutes later (yes I am being
facetious but only partially) or 3 weeks or 3 months, the fervor dies out.
Sometimes we wonder what happened. We make excuses. We eventually forget about
it. So much so that often we forget we prayed. (and doesn't that imply that we also forget to be grateful?)
How many seeds of prayer do you have planted that have not
happened---YET? Just like any seed in the dirt you can leave it to the birds of
the air, the ground animals the elements or you can nurture it, water it, care for it and reap a harvest from it.
I hear a lot of Christians say, when they don't get a quick answer to their prayers, that
God said, "NO". Did he? Where is the scripture for that? I do know that if you do
not receive about what you pray about then you may be praying “amiss”. BUT, even when
Israel prayed against God’s direct wishes and they cried out for a king, God
asked them to reconsider but He still granted their prayers. Isn't that what
free will is about? We are not marionettes on a string. Christianity is
having a relationship with Christ.
When I was a fairly new Christian I wanted a piano. I asked
God for one. That was it, simple. I wanted my kids to learn to read music. I
wanted to be able to play it etc. No big warfare, just a simple, “God please
bring me a piano.”
Two years later a friend was moving and she asked me if I
wanted a piano. She brought it over. It was an antique, upright, oak, cast iron
insides (read that HEAVY) piano. I started saving money to get it tuned up. The
problem was that a week later I got the approval to start my Masters in Durant.
I started packing everything I owned, getting rid of this and that. I realized
God loved me and he would always hear and answer my prayers but did I really
want to play the piano? Did I really want a piano to be responsible for? Did I
really want to spend all that money for tuning and lessons? (Did I even have
all that money?) Not really. Did I even have enough room in the truck? No. So I
had to find someone who wanted a piano.
I did not think that through when I prayed. It was a whim and yet God answered my prayer.
God will answer YOUR prayers. It might not be today but He will answer.
When Jenny was little they started making Precious Moments.
She loved them. They were limited editions and expensive for this single mom. I
got her one, someone else bought her the one of the puppies in the cart. I
bought her another. Someone got her the doll and so on. She never had many. They
were the only valuable “thing” she ever had.
We got an antique shelf to put them on. It fit in a corner.
She loved it. Then one night when we had a small earthquake. It fell and they
all broke. She was upset but very Jen-like. I was upset, I cried out to God. I
could not replace these. This was not right and so on. God, I need to replace
these.
I prayed out of compassion for my daughter. I prayed with
fervor. I prayed through tears of loss. Through hurt for her. Sounds kinda goofy but these
represented the sacrifice one will make for their child. They represented a lot
of emotionally-tied things. She never got another one. Every time I am in a store
and see them I think about how much she loved them.
I didn't really expect Him to any replace them anymore. She is grown. She has children of
her own. Her oldest is getting married. It is past the season I am sure…..
BUT GOD…..
Yesterday someone gave me 2 HUGE tubs of Precious Moments’
dolls, figurines, etc. still in the boxes. Perfect mint condition. Abundantly above
what I could ask or even think—much less hope for. The lady who gave them to me
was probably not even born when Jenny’s fell and broke.
BUT GOD…..
Intercession and prayer are more than we expect. Once you
set things in motion the heavenlies are at work to bring it to pass.
What does this have to do with intercession?
This IS intercession.
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