As a new Christian, and a few years later as a new wife, I eagerly prayed for everything. God graciously allowed me to see answers in those early years of faith because He knew I needed to see some evidence. Little children need much encouragement. Without fully realizing it, I developed a formula. In all the Scriptures about prayer, I thought, there had to be a key, a secret to unlock the power of God. I was living my life with a reasonable, logical assumption about the Christian life. Here was my plan:
I grew up with the traditional mindset of if I was a good girl, my life and my family would turn out good too. Certainly pride and not God ruled until good wasn’t happening. I too had prodigals, a grandson die at birth, and a granddaughter molested , divorced kids, and cancer . But after many years now of prayer journals filled with answered prayer ( not in the way or timing I hoped for), I know God answers in His way , not mine. Now I look at each trial to see how God is using it to sanctify myself and others ; how do I still need to grow in faith and trust in Him alone. Right now financial issues have become forefront as retirement and health has changed the way we must spend our money. My lesson is now I can’t serve God and money too. We are never too old for prayer to help us know our own hearts and desires.
When God says He gives me the desires of my heart, I’ve come to think that God doesn’t necessarily give me what I desire…rather God gives to me the very desires.. and as time goes along, I pray that He makes my desires align with His will more and more.
I grew up with the traditional mindset of if I was a good girl, my life and my family would turn out good too. Certainly pride and not God ruled until good wasn’t happening. I too had prodigals, a grandson die at birth, and a granddaughter molested , divorced kids, and cancer . But after many years now of prayer journals filled with answered prayer ( not in the way or timing I hoped for), I know God answers in His way , not mine. Now I look at each trial to see how God is using it to sanctify myself and others ; how do I still need to grow in faith and trust in Him alone. Right now financial issues have become forefront as retirement and health has changed the way we must spend our money. My lesson is now I can’t serve God and money too. We are never too old for prayer to help us know our own hearts and desires.
Janet, thank you for sharing part of your story. That perspective shift looking for how God is showing up is one I continue to learn as well.
When God says He gives me the desires of my heart, I’ve come to think that God doesn’t necessarily give me what I desire…rather God gives to me the very desires.. and as time goes along, I pray that He makes my desires align with His will more and more.