Lord, Please.

Sometimes, it's the most honest prayer.

Even when it's all you can eek out.

He already knows what you need and why.

Just pray.  Your faith will follow.

Lord, please.

Matthew 6:7-8 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Sash of robe falls in toilet, first thing....

Lord, please.  (complaining)


Baby makes sandy cookie crumbs all over billowy futon before breakfast...

Lord, please. (help me)


Wasp flies into house, all around the house, when door opens to garage to fetch vacuum, baby crying, trailing crumbs, still no breakfast...


Lord, please. (I need you)


Children fight on couch, couch tears, markers mark, arguing, correction given in anger and unforgiveness...


Lord, please. (desperate; Change me, Lord)


Ah!  There's the sweet spot. 

That's what this is all about.  I am overcome.  I see my self as I am.

Honestly, when the wasp flew in, I prayed it out loud, over and over, and almost found it comical. 

When I typed "we are His hands and feet" and then corrected my son in anger, it was almost unforgivable.

And yet, here He is, with me.  Waiting for my sincerity.  Going deeper still, for my benefit and for His glory.

Just hold on and pray.  Your heart will follow.  He waits for you.

Lord, please.

He answers me.

Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Sing, Hallelu!  Hallelujah!

Does this mean my robe is clean, the baby is fed, the floor is not a wreck, or my children don't fight?

No.  

But it does mean that He is here with me, knows what I need, and promises to deliver me, in the midst.  All this happens for a purpose, for my refinement.  He knows me.  Better still, He loves me.

Could it be that the Lord is as persistent as my sixteen month old, (or my six year old, or my four year old, or my three year old, for that matter) looking to do what ever it takes to get me to see Him...?  He is zealous for my attention.  He delights in my affection.  He loves me.  He will do what ever it takes.  Isn't that what He did on Calvary? 

None of this is haphazard or without purpose.  So why the trials, Lord?

 

God disciplines his sons:

Proverbs 3:11-12

 ¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
       and do not resent his rebuke,
 ¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
       as a father the son he delights in.

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  

 

What am I called to do?  What is my Hebrews chapter 11 'act of faith' that produces in me the Hebrews 12:1 perseverance? How can I ever be like Moses??  Have I ever even imagined that could be me?  That Jesus wants it to be me in the 'hall of faith'?

 

He does.

 

In the midst of life, trials, hardships, moments, wherever we find our selves, it is just for us to ask, to seek, to knock.  To believe:

 

Lord, Please. 

 

Why?  What is the ultimate outcome?

 

So that we can be more than conquerors:

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

So, today I pray.  I hold Him to His Word.  I claim it.  I choose to see it all from His hand, and I look to Him for deliverance.  Respond in truth, even in desperation.  It all sounds good, doesn't it?   

Do it.  Overcome. 

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

This is for us.  Today.

Read Hebrews 11

Then, feed that baby, vacuum your couch, wipe your floors, open your doors, and pray for the wasp to leave!

See yourself, in your life, like Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, Mary, Stephen.  You are no different.  This is your act of faith.

To God be the glory, in my messy house and my heartfelt prayers:

Lord, please.

It is enough, and I already have His answer.

Yes.

In His Love,
Carmen Sunshine