Prayer is much more than just asking God for stuff (although that is a pretty cool thing that we can do that too). What we are doing when we pray is we are communing with the almighty creator of the universe. No one can corrupt God and He is not in the business of malicious mischief. He tells us in Matthew 7:7-11 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! From this passage, we get a revelation of some aspects of the nature and general behavior of God. He wants to do good to us and for us and He likes us to ask, seek, and knock. He demonstrates an attitude of a loving, benevolent father who is more than able to give us what we ask for; and that with a mind-set of demonstrating a quality in giving that is above natural, earthly fathers.
I have had many wonderful experiences praying/communing with God. Once I had a season of regular prayer because I had been asked to make a commitment of daily prayer. I went daily to the appointed place for the agreed amount of time (I think it was an hour daily) and opened my heart and mouth to God. I began with praising and giving thanks to God and Jesus for all. I also confessed my sins and prayed regarding the things I had been requested to commit to prayer. I listened as God revealed what he wanted of me in certain areas and things, and He gave me answers concerning the other things I was praying about. By the end of the week I realized that I was so much closer to God that I thought possible. I was hearing Him speak in a regular conversational way. I understood so much more than I had before that because His Spirit was making things so clear and giving me such good understanding of most everything. I realize even now as I’m sharing my testimony that God would really like it if we prayed all the time. If we made an effort to pray as much as we can, we would be so pleased with the results, we would want to pray much more.
Another instance I had asked God to make me sure because I thought He was telling me that he wanted me to quit working for kindly Christian man that needed some help with his business and was paying me decent wages to do some typesetting for him. The reason I thought the Lord wanted me to quit was so that I could go back to my own business (a combined Desk Top Publishing and Computer business). I talked to my wife and she suggested that I pray and make sure it was the Lord’s idea and not just me. I told the Lord that I would appreciate Him making me sure so I wouldn’t make a mistake because I was a little unsure. Before too long my immediate supervisor started being greatly irritating to work under. She began to be very unreasonable, and demanding. Normally this person who was also a Christian was very pleasant to work for and on occasion I had talked with concerning our mutual faith in the Lord. I normally finished my “rush” work before I would take a lunch break which was also their preference because of deadlines. Most days, I wouldn’t even take a Lunch break; I’d just get done as soon as I could and go home early if I could. This day, I had had it with my supervisor’s unreasonable, demanding and irritating attitude and speech. As soon as I was able to, I left my computer, stated in a curt manner, I’m going to lunch.
Outside, in the parking lot, I was fuming. I was so irritated; tears were coming from my eyes. I was leaning on my car praying “God why is she being this way? She used to be so nice. What the heck is going on”? I clearly heard the Lord say “you asked me to make you sure”.
Just then, my main boss, the owner drove up in the parking lot and got out of his car. Coming over to where I was, he asked “what’s going on—Is everything ok”? I said “Lloyd, I think the Lord is telling me that I need to quit here and go back to my own business”. “I just hate to leave you without anyone to do my work”. Lloyd said “well, Bruce, don’t worry about anything, we’ll be ok”. “Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off, just pray and make sure you are doing what you need to do”. I said “thank you Lloyd, I feel much better already–I’ll call you later” and left.
I then drove over to a Christian bible/tape ministry to see if I could talk to Annette who, along with her husband Jerry, were good friends. Annette, worked as a counselor as part of her ministry and I thought It would be some help to talk to her about the situation. When I walked in I asked the front desk clerk if I could please speak with Annette; letting her know that I didn’t have an appointment but that we were friends and if she wasn’t too busy I would really like to speak with her. The clerk let me through and as Annette was coming around the corner, I just hadn’t realized how emotional this whole thing was and the tears started to come again. Annette rushed over like a big sister, “Are you alright?” as she put her arm around my shoulder. When I finished explaining everything to Annette, she gave her best and most sincere effort to council me according to what she felt the Lord would have me do.
The most interesting thing happened as she shared her feelings that I should go back and continue to work for my friend Lloyd. Although she was sincere and as true to what she believed the Lord wanted, the more she went that direction, the more sure I was the Lord wanted me to go back to my own business. I believe the inner witness of the Holy Spirit was clearer because of our fellowship in the Spirit. The Lord said “where two or more are gathered in my name I am there in their midst”. So, our praying and talking to each other with our hearts open to the lord made me more able to sense the Holy Spirit’s speaking and directions He had for me.
Prayer is so wonderful and I’m so glad I started thinking more about it and sharing my thoughts. It encourages me to be more mindful of the prayer and fellowship of my brothers and sisters in Christ.
