When God Answers Prayer

A lot of times people think they don't want to ask God for an answer to their problem, because they think they won't like the response. But that's wrong thinking.

If we talk to God because we love Him and trust Him and delight in His law and will and way, there's no chance we will be disappointed. We might even be amazed.

My friend and I were both starting to struggle with the circumstances of our relationship. We weren't sure where to go, and so we delved into prayer. Even though we did like each other, we submitted ourselves to the Lord and were prepared for whatever He might do.

The night before we were scheduled to talk on the phone about what to do, I prayed,

Lord, we are both uncertain and yet here we rest in the comfort of Your will. Thank You for leading us this far and for helping us point each other to Your glory. We love you, and we've come to like each other. Please show us the next step. Speak it to [him], and confirm it in my heart. If it's time to stop, please make it clear and give us both peace - guard are hearts in You. If there's a way to move forward, please show us how. For Your glory and our joy, amen.

As I prayed, I got the sense that it was going to be time to step back, and that my friend had some personal things to deal with before a relationship would be wise.

I awoke feeling like peace had just been shoveled over me. I felt like I was a little girl seeing God's glory for the first time. I WORSHIPED all morning. I saw Him in everything.

Just before he called, my friend Tina asked if I would join her daily prayer team; she's had some deep personal struggles and her pastors and counselor wanted her to gather a team of prayer warriors around her. I eagerly agreed, and I thought to myself, "Well if [he] is about to back things off, I'll have more time and energy to pour myself out for Tina"

After a brief phone call, I learned I was right. And instead of being sad, I just saw Jesus. I saw how God had prepared me for it. I wrote, "How thankful I am that the Lord is the lover of my soul! Lord, You are so amazing! I don't even have words to thank You for these last two months and how protected I feel by You. Thank You for being my vision" Jesus makes me soul sing! And loudly, too. I picked up the guitar and made a joyful noise with Enter His Gates, Furious, and What Joy.

I continued, "I just can't get over God's faithfulness. I asked Him to guard my heart and he TOTALLY did. Instead of feeling empty or incomplete, I feel whole and LOVED! And FREE. I was feeling stressed and burdened yesterday, but today it's like a weight has been lifted! Praise the Lord!"

I was an explosion of joy and happiness all day long. My mind has been blown my Christ's faithfulness all over again.

I also read,

For thus says the Lord: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, and to make sacrifices forever. Jeremiah 33:17-18

Alright, so maybe this doesn't immediately strike you as relevant or amazing, but if you've been studying Hebrews for the last few months, and God has just shown you that Christ is on the throne, and 
ever faithful to make intercession for you, it's pretty freaking cool.

I have found a friend in Jesus
He's everything to me
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul
He's the lily of the valley
In Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole
In sorrow He's my comfort
In trouble He's my stay
He tells me every care on Him to roll
He's the lily of the valley
The bright and morning star
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.