Feelings of trepidation and fear occur throughout our lives. We are bathed in the stress and anxiety of what will or won’t happen at life’s major intersections. We are consumed with needs and desires. The future is in question and we desperately seek answers as we pray, “Please God!”
We’ve spent years of formative schooling and college applications have now been submitted. We will either be accepted by our chosen university or be denied. We will live out the dream we set before us or will soon downgrade to settle-status. For weeks we await the decision while we pray, “Please God!”
We’ve spent years in college and final exams are upon us. Our future is to be decided by the results. Pass and the future will shine brightly. Fail and the future becomes a dark and cloudy abyss. Enormous pressure becomes unbearable. We ponder the very first test question we as we pray, “Please God!”
The resume’ has been submitted. The interview is at hand. An impression is everything. The right mix of education, experience, and charisma will seal the deal. If we have what it takes, we’re golden. If not, the season of macaroni and cheese will be indefinitely extended. We fear the life of Ramen Noodles as we pray, “Please God!”
The game is about to begin. It could be a football game pinning the Minnesota Vikings against the Green Bay Packers. It could be (so I’ve read) a soccer match in Scotland between Celtic and Rangers. Maybe it is a years-old rivalry between two high-school or college teams. Minutes before the contest begins, team members set their eyes on victory as they pray, “Please God!”
Will she say yes to the marriage proposal?
Will our presentation enhance chances for a workplace promotion?
Will the medical test results be clean?
Will we get the loan for the new house?
These questions and more will be adjudicated in favor or not as we pray, “Please God!”
During these urgent times, there is no question that prayer is appropriate. But perhaps we should ask ourselves whether it might be better to pray before the crisis appears. For the most part, these situations are predictable.
We know the exams are coming. We know that work will make demands on us. We know college follows high school. We know that eating habits affect health.
What if we practiced constant dialogue with God asking for help making good decisions about training, studying, eating and behaving before these urgent issues show up? Would we not experience the peace only He can give no matter the circumstance? Would we not be confident that we have prepared well for each situation thereby removing the ‘chance’ factor from each? Would we not be more comfortable in knowing that we’ve done all we can do to produce favorable outcomes?
And as an added bonus, would we not be closer to our God?
Lent is now upon us. Even as children, we were taught to prepare. It was probably a season of denial for most of us. Giving up chocolate, coffee, alcohol (not talking about kids anymore), television or any number of traditional sacrifices are accepted forms of preparation.
The good news for traditional denials states that Easter is coming along with the end of our self-imposed inhibitions. We will once more eat chocolate, drink coffee and alcohol and resume watching our favorite television shows.
The bad news for traditional denials indicates that as we revert back to previous actions, we leave behind the possibility of a more developed relationship with God.
This year, my Lent will be a bit different as I learn to pray constantly in efforts to carry this most important of relationships well beyond Easter into the promise of peace, joy, and love for all eternity.
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