Search Our Blog Posts
Blog Article Tags
We love building relationships. Subscribe to our blog to receive weekly encouragement in your email inbox.
- Details
Have you ever been fishing and cast a line? I grew up fishing on the farm pond in Iowa and even though my cousin caught a five-pound catfish by dropping his string line in the water with a medicine bottle bobber, that is not the normal way to cast a line.
The proper casting of a line is all in the wrist. You throw the hooked bait out into the middle of the water and proceed with the waiting process of fishing.
One night, I was meditating on I Peter 5:7 and realized what it meant to cast my prayers and my cares before God. It signified letting go of my requests and trusting him with the answer.
I could picture myself going before God’s throne with my request and very specifically giving God all of my detailed instructions about how he should answer my request. Then, instead of leaving it in his hands, I take the request back with me upon leaving the throne room.
After meditating on I Peter 5:7, some of my most weighty prayers were transformed. I pictured myself entering the throne room of God, throwing the request at him, making a sincere plea for help, and running out the throne room before I could take it back up again.
The first time I visualized that practice, tears filled my eyes as a 100-lb weight was lifted from my shoulders. I repeated the practice the following night, and each subsequent night, it became easier and easier to leave my requests at the Father’s feet. I knew he cared. I trusted him to take charge. I had cast all my cares upon him. And, today, I invite you to do the same.
- Details
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Prov. 16:3)
What kind of difference do your prayers make when you’re making plans? Do you take it all to God in prayer, seeking his guidance?
We strive to do that as a ministry and as individuals—to commit to the Lord whatever we do, seeking his will as he orders our steps. But what does that look like?
There is no sign falling from the sky, no lighted path presented before us, nor is there a booming voice (I hear God as a bass) giving rapid-fire directions like a cosmic GPS.
Philip Yancey in his book on prayer said that prayer is an aligning of our will with God’s. I like that description and pray that God will align my will with his. However, even if I don’t receive a clear answer, by lifting my prayers to God and seeking him before making personal or ministry plans, I am reminded that the most important thing is to place my trust in him who provides, who blesses, who loves, protects, and guides.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)