Prayer is a Precursor to Deliverance~

Happy Thursday to all my precious brothers and sisters in Christ~

Jonah's hell, like we saw, only lasted three days. I can think of several things I have gone through that I would have gladly had end after three days.

But why three and not four? I was sharing with a friend this morning that a while back I was praying with someone about our childrens' questionable relationship choices and BAM! her answer came within a week. Mine took a couple of years. Nevertheless, the timing is not up to me or you but rather God.

I remember one Christmas Jorge and I saved up and bought three-year-old Hormone a Power Wheels electric jeep. It went about 5 MPH at maximum speed. I will be eternally grateful for the moment he saw the car because his expression of pure joy is permanently in my brain.

However, what about if I would have given Hormone the keys to a brand new full-sized jeep instead? He would have gladly taken them, but it would have been too much too soon and too dangerous.

Is it possible that our heavenly Father giving us what we want when we want it no matter what could also be dangerous or at the very least not in our best interest? I have often said that as difficult as it was seeing my child in that certain union, it taught me so much about prayer and having the right attitude. That entire season of heartache and anguish pushed to to my knees, and it has been a blessed road!

So what should be our attitude when faced with a problem? When in the belly of the beast of an emotional, physical, relational or financial problem?

And, if He controls the timing should we even pray? He is going to do what He wants to do and when He wants to do it regardless, right?

(I hereby interrupt this DEVO to remind everyone that I do not have all the answers. I, along with each of you, am living a faith journey and learning as I go).

The one thing I can say for certain is that in both Jonah and the disciples' case, as well as in every problem I have ever faced, prayer was a precursor to deliverance.

Jonah brought his problems on himself through disobedience--something none of us has ever done (ahem ahem). But the disciples' storm started because they were following Christ. Either way--because of our poor choices or because we were blind sighted while actually doing something good--the first step we must always take to get ourselves thrown up onto that beach is to pray.

Pray when you mess up, pray when someone else messes up, pray when life just happens. P-R-A-Y!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Your Word is clear: We must pray before anything else. Before we talk it over with someone, or head out to the doctor, or start a business, or read a book on the power of positive thinking, we must pray. We must talk it over with You. We must invite You in to do Your thing. There is a divine and amazing blessing that always takes place when we declare our trust in You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~