Dear Friends,
Last time my car was misbehaving, several people asked me, “Sure you’ve got gas in it?” Last time my computer behaved as though it was possessed by demons, Shawn Brown, our tech guy, asked, “Did you try rebooting?”
I find both questions irritating – not because I never forget to try these most basic remedies, but because sometimes I do.
A person came to me recently with a terrible problem. She had been chewing on it for days and didn’t know any longer what she could do. She was close to panic. So like a good car mechanic or tech guy, I began my own diagnostic process with the most basic question: “Are you praying about it?” You might be surprised to know that most folks I ask this question have forgotten to pray.
The world teaches that we are in charge of our lives – that we have control and a consequent responsibility to set to rights things that have gone wrong. But it takes only one experience of helplessness in the face of serious trouble to disabuse us of that notion. So why do serious Christians have to be reminded again and again that God is hoping that we will ask for his help?
Prayer is our first line of defense against trouble, our first recourse when trouble comes. Each time we pray to God, we exercise our dependence upon him – exercise, like lifting spiritual dumbbells. And just as our muscles develop strength over time with consistent work, so too does our faith strengthen through this repeated affirmation of our role as God’s children – obedient, dependent, and thankful.
Keep praying!
Mtr. TJ