Someone told us we could write a book about all the things that happened in our move and no one would believe it. Every other day brought a glitch of some sort. How can all of these things happen during the same transaction? Even seasoned real estate agents with stories to tell were amazed at ours. And so for a full four weeks our prayers were fast and intense to the point of tears upon occasion. While we pray with regularity, this was more than the usual.
Eventually the pieces did fall into place in what seemed a Providential pattern, but not before turning them around every which way, trying every possible configuration of the puzzle. And pray we did, asking, begging, pleading that the latest snag in the process would work itself out. With His guidance, it did.
God never tires of helping His children. He wants us to show our dependence on Him. He wants us to recognize our need of His help and care. Some of the most biting, sarcastic sections of the prophets concern His people going to other gods for the very things Jehovah himself had promised, and for years had furnished. Why were they expecting anything from a lifeless piece of wood or metal, He asked?
He told them shortly before Jerusalem's fall to the Babylonians, On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth (Isa 62:6-7). For the faithful few, the command was simple—pray! Ask! Talk to me, again and again and again! We should give Him no rest either.
Bother Him night and day with your cares, your sorrows, your requests. Pester Him with your musings, your questions, your meditations, just as you would a faithful mentor or loving parent. I promise you, He won't mind at all.
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live (Ps 116:1-2).
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Col 4:2).
Dene Ward