Have you ever felt stuck in your prayer life? Or perhaps wondering why God doesn’t seem to be hearing, or not answering your prayers. You’re not alone.
God answers every prayer with a yes, no, or wait. Better yet think of it like this as Rick Warren writes, ‘When the request is not right, God says “No”. When the timing is not right, God says “Slow”. When you are not right, God says “Grow”. But when the request is right and the timing is right and you are right, God says “Go”’.
That makes a lot of sense. The discernment is not as straightforward, or so it seems.
Just recently I asked God whether I should take on an added assignment that would expand the ministry of Embracing Brokenness but also provide an additional source of income for our family. It required me to commit roughly 20 hours per week joining a longtime friend in his business venture. What interested me most was the opportunity to share the message of healing God has given me with clients and others affiliated with the business. Good stuff and an exciting prospect for the future.
After much prayer and a period of God inspiring me to wait, it seemed clear that I should proceed. Then, in an unexpected moment, the stop sign appeared. It was startling for both my friend and me. Yet, we knew it was from the Lord.
My key takeaway was recognizing the importance of advancing with small steps and being open to whatever that may look like in our decision-making and discernment process, no matter what the prayer request may be.
One thing is for certain, Prayer matters. Never skip that step in communication and communion with God in the process of your journey through life.
And that’s the Memo.
Steve
