Prayer Call

My brother and I had a little bit of an anxious weekend. You see, we both tried calling Dad and didn't get an answer. In fact, his phone machine that normally answers with it's generic male voice (that sounds like a robot on too much caffeine) didn't even pick up like usual. We called and listened to the line ring and ring and ring. It seemed like nobody was home.

We wondered, did Dad pick up and go visit a brother? Did he go birdwatching on the West coast? Is he at a Superbowl party somewhere? When time ticked away, the fears started to pop their ugly heads. I did my best to play "whack a mole" with them by checking in with his minister, emailing my dad and listening to hubby say, "He's OK, he's probably busy."

Finally I got an email from the Reverend. "He was at choir Sunday, things are fine."

But I wasn't consoled until I finally got an email from him, "The phone line is down, it will be repaired on Tuesday."

I could stop obsessing...he answered and all is well again. It seems an old tree in the backyard had been removed, and so had part of the line. That tree had been growing for a while in the backyard...slowly reaching towards the lines. Before we knew it, the tree had engulfed the cables and all it would take was a good windstorm. (Now that I think about it, that tree had been growing taller for over 20 years!)

So the question that came to my mind was, have you ever felt that sometimes nobody is listening when you pray? Are there are times when you're trying to get through to God and the line seems too quiet? What do you do when that happens?

First, is God expecting your call? As a Christian, you can expect unlimited minutes in prayer with your heavenly Father. But if you have not accepted Christ, your call could be dropped. (John 14:6)

Next, make sure your connection is solid. Like a downed line, sin that is not confessed can break that connection as quick as a 50 lb tree limb on a cable. (John 9:31)

Sometimes we allow a dark thought to be planted in our mind. This thought, when it sprouts, can be easily plucked and dealt with early. (2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 86:5) Left to grow, it can turn into an action. Temptation itself is not a sin, it's acting on it that germinates the seed and growth is immediate. (James 1:13-15) Before you know it your lines to God are caught and broken...so it's best to deal with them as soon as they appear.

Do you only pray when you need something? Or prayed and prayed and then later in the day realized you didn't stop to hear a reply? Have you ever tried sitting quietly and sending up a quick, "I just prayed to say I love you, God"? Then sit and listen...you'll be amazed what your heart hears.

Did someone tell you that He hears you, just try again another time God is probably busy with the unrest in the Middle East? Know this dear reader, God is not human. He is God and He is omnipotent. That means He is everywhere all the time. There is no war or even a hungry crow that He ignores. (Luke 12:24) And as His children, so much more is His ear tuned to our call!

Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call {upon Him} as long as I live. Psalm 116:2

Don't forget that the line goes both ways. Make sure you listen for Him. It could be as simple as waking up at 3am for no reason, or maybe a song in your head when you awaken. Seriously...He loves you and will call you. The question is, will you answer?

How do you pray? Get to a quiet place, bring your Bible, close your eyes and either talk to Him out loud or within your heart. If you need a bit more instruction, check out how Jesus answered His disciples when they asked the same thing in Luke 11:1-13.

I hope you are blessed this week as you earnestly "reach out and touch" God in prayer. It's better than texting, chatting and even skype--and you'll never get a bill for going over your minutes limit! (Because Jesus already paid that bill.)

...So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3b