“pray continually…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Tossing and turning last night, I fell between awake and asleep. As I moved toward awake mode, the first words out of my mouth were, “Please bless him Lord!” I’d roll over and repeat that cycle until the next time I started to wake up… all night long! There was nothing more I could do! So I did it!
Being a dad and grandfather, there are times when there is nothing else I can do but PRAY! We have all been there. We shall all go through it again. The occasion for my prayer is rather significant. One of my kids is going through the hardest test he has ever taken. All he has to do is score higher than 19 other folks.. and the job is his! Knowing him, I have total confidence in his abilities. But I just need to DO something else! You know… cover ALL the bases! So I pray.
I don’t really know what kind of influence my prayers will have. He has studied for so long and so hard, that I know he is ready. His score will reflect HIS self discipline and brain power. Not mine! There is no way I can help him, as it is HIS mountain to climb. Being a Jesus Guy… I have the privilege of Prayer AND the command to Pray continually. So I do! Even thought though the outcome is 100% on my son! I think!
I noticed something funny happen to me as the date of his test got closer. I found myself talking to God and saying some VERY strange things. Even for me! “Hey God.. I have never really fasted and prayed… but I’ll try that today!” Another thought hit… I am embarrassed to say it.. but I have to be honest.. “Hey God.. give him this and I won’t ask for anything for a while!” Embarrassing right? But don’t we ALL do that… try to bargain with God to get a favorable outcome? Like asking God to influence the outcome of a football game, we KNOW it is ridiculous! But it doesn’t stop us from doing it!
In the end, my son belongs to God! He has prayed like it all depends on God.. and studied like it all depends on himself. Now, only time will tell the outcome. The rest of the family prays, as we ALL want the best for him. If there is something WE can do to give him a 1 up… we do it. But we already know that the one who will get the job is the one who gets the highest score!
I am glad that my destination of Heaven has NOTHING to do with my own preparation and good works. I failed that test before I was even born! But God was not satisfied with my score and REALLY wanted me to pass. So He sent HIS AWESOME Son to pass the test FOR me! “Am I banking on that same heart tug of God to help my son with his test,” is a question I cannot answer. But I DO know THIS… regardless of the outcome… God has my son because my son loves HIS Son. And NOTHING is more important! But I am going to pray anyway!
