Tuesday, 28 April 2009

• Prayer? Yeah, it works.

  Prayer really is an amazing thing.

  I haven't always been a really good pray-er.   In fact, when I first became a Christian, I was afraid to pray - outloud, that is.  I remember when James and I first got married, I wouldn't pray outloud.   And when I was in a group, where spoken prayers were expected, I got sick to my stomach.   I really don't know why.   I guess I was afraid of sounding dumb or not saying the right thing.

  Then, I was made a Faithful Intercessor.  For those who are not "Army", every session of cadets at the College for Officer Training is given a 'name' - and mine happened to be Faithful Intercessors.   Frankly, I laughed because I knew how uncomfortable I was with prayer.   But God had bigger plans for me....   He can be that way, ya know? 

  Since then, I have become more and more comfortable with prayer - spoken and unspoken.   It's been nearly 10 years now - well, 13 really, if you count how long it's been since I became a Christian - and I know now that prayer is simply part of who I am.   I used to tease my dear husband because it seemed I was always the designated pray-er for things... meetings, end of morning worship, meal times, yadda yadda... he was and has always called on me to pray.   Perhaps there is something to that....

  I can recall times where my specific prayers have been answered - and I try to make myself aware of every time that does happen - because it really is an amazing thing.

  Most recently, I can testify to an answer to prayer - God will even hold back the rain for ya!    For months, I had been praying for our Youth Councils weekend - for each and every detail, right down to the weather.   I knew that we had planned a lot of outdoor activity - with really no back-up plan - and so, at least since January, I have been praying for sunny, warm weather.

  About a week before last weekend, James decided to pull up the forecast.  I told him that I didn't need to see the forecast because I knew that God was going to bless us with good weather for the weekend.   I glanced over to his computer and it listed sunny weather for the whole weekend.   I told James right then and there - "see, God knows."

  Then Friday came.   I continued to pray for the weather.   As people came, they would say - did you see it's going to rain? - and I would say, "God's going to keep the rain away, just you see!"   I knew.  I just knew.  Don't ask me how.

  Saturday.   Well, really, VERY early Saturday, we had a huge thunderstorm.  It was so loud, it shook our house (ask Alison ).   I continued to pray.  

  Breakfast came... it was raining.   I prayed, "Lord, don't make a fool of me!"  And I continued to have my 'sunny' attitude - I knew that the day would turn out fine.

  More naysayers - even through lunch.  At that time, it wasn't raining, but the skies were pretty ominous.   I told many people, "Just you wait, it'll rain at 6pm - God knows we need a nice afternoon!"   

  At 3:00pm, when the afternoon fun was beginning, there was clouds, but no rain.   The temperature had warmed up a bit and it was pleasant - nice enough to run around, but not get all sweaty or burnt.   I just continued to pray.

  By 5:00pm, we had blue skies.  White puffy clouds.  I was amazed.  And greatful.   The Lord came through and we had a great time.   The power of prayer.

  Now - the rain didn't start at 6pm.   I told a couple of people - If it starts to rain, right around 6, you won't find me here... you'll find me at the mercy seat, in the chapel, because my amazement will be that great.

  No, it didn't start at 6pm, but when the judges decided that the Waterloo Swim Team were not the winners of the Best Dressed contest, the skies were opened and camp was drenched.  I've not seen a downpour like that, ever, at camp.   Some of us were amused by the irony...

  So - does prayer work?   You bet it does.    Many times I have prayed for peace - and I have been instantly calmed... heart stops pitter-patting, sense of peace surrounds me.    I have reminded myself of many times when I have seen or heard my prayers being answered - and they have not always been how I have wanted them answered.   But by making myself stay aware of them being answered, I can be thankful, both through prayer and in my heart.

  Faithful Intercessor?  I sure am.  Or I try to be.   I do have four kids, ya know.

  Grace and peace.

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