From Forward Day by Day (online here)--
-----------
Meditation for February 9, 2012:
Psalm 86. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications.
I had read the scriptures and still no illumination. I read the psalms again, a second and third time, and still no inspiration. Yet I persisted.
Sometimes we must go through arid times to get to a place where we are free to write with purpose. The Lord wants us to do this that we may grow in the Spirit.
The first time I read verse six of Psalm 86, I didn’t see what later stirred my heart. Then it came. The struggle of engaging with a topic had brought me to prayer.
Prayer takes various forms. Depending on the need, prayer may be a quiet moment or an extensive plea. We may choose various modes. Sometimes these are petitions for ourselves, sometimes on behalf of others. Our prayer may be a request for healing or offerings of joy, thanksgiving and praise, of reconciliation or sorrow. It may be a bargain or even anger. It all depends on our state of mind or heart.
The Lord may answer with, “Yes,” “No,” or “Not yet. Be patient.”
-------------
Emphasis mine. And His.
2 comments:
It's so interesting that you post this! We recently received an answer to a prayer in the form of a "no." We are struggling with this no, but know that it is all a part of His plan. Doesn't make it easier, but it is truth. :)
I think I might be dealing with a "no," too, Wendy, but I'm not sure. The not being sure is driving me crazy. The only thing I feel 100% certain about is that I'm being asked to be patient. I suck at patience. One of my first memories, from when I'm maybe 3 or 4, is my father's father telling me to calm down because "patience is a virtue." I'm 33 now and it's STILL SO HARD.
Anne Lamott says in one of her recent books that the Lord sends her signs, but she always wants bigger and better signs. "More sparkly" signs. That's so totally me. God Himself could knock on my door and hand me an envelope and five minutes later I'd be thinking "An envelope, yes...but it wasn't certified mail! What does this mean?"
Argh...
Post a Comment