August 2011 Newsletter

Miracle of Prayer: 'Another Viewpoint' by Pat Harley

We had met for weekly Bible Study and to share prayer requests. We were all middle class women with comfortable life styles and healthy families. And so we went around the circle each offering up the needs for the week.

"Pray that my vacation to the beach will be fun."

"Pray that my cold will get better before the weekend."

"Pray that my husband gets the big promotion he wants."

And so it went.

I know we are encouraged to make our requests known to God but as we came before the Throne of Grace something didn't seem quite right.

Recently my daughter Cameron and her husband and four small children took a vacation to DisneyWorld Europe in France. They are missionaries in Ukraine and this was a gift. The evening they arrived their littlest one, Jack age 9 months became very ill and was hospitalized for a week. This wasn't what they had planned but being in France gave them far more excellent medical care then they would have had in Ukraine. The other grandparents were there to take the three grandchildren to Disneyworld and offer emotional support. And there was traveler's insurance that miraculously paid for all of their medical and extra travel expenses. Was it a fun vacation? No. But they saw the God who provides.

Years ago I had some significant health problems. I was in constant pain and bed ridden for weeks. During that time both friends and strangers provided for my every need and often I felt God's very presence in a most real way. Above all I became very aware of other's great suffering. After several months had passed, I had surgery and was healed. Did I enjoy good health? No. But I saw the God of comfort.

A few years back there was a job that seemed perfect for me. I had been contacted by a wonderful church and they had asked if I might be available to take on a position that I had only dreamed of having. I prayed God would give it to me but in the end, they decided not to fill that position. One week later the Board of Directors for Big Dream asked me to go full time and offered me a salary to do what I love best. Did I get what I wanted? No. But God gave me something better.

So what is the point? The point is that I often wish we prayed with greater boldness and more Kingdom focus.

God, use my vacation to show me your glory!

God use my health or lack of it to reveal your presence!

God place me where you want me and show me your power!

God I am not asking for the cushy life. I am asking for the Christ- life living through me impacting others for You and Your kingdom.

Now that is prayer! Visit my blog