My pastor once asked me how my midlife crisis was going; he said that most people buy a new car or a boat or something, but you go back to school! Yes, the Lord’s reply was to “know Me more” and presented the opportunity to enter the seminary. But he did not stop there; He also said, “I want you to help grow my church.” So here we are, knee-deep in studies and service, but more importantly, prayer.

Recently we have been praying even more as a couple, striving to “continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col 4:2). My studies have encouraged this corporate prayer which started as an assignment, but it turned into a desire. I must admit that my wife is a greater prayer warrior than I am. She recently shared that she had been praying for many of the changes occurring in our lives for some time, so this closeness we are sharing in our prayer time is an answered prayer for her. God is always good, and He constantly reveals to us ways that we can grow in Him, blessing us in ways we did not ask for as we serve others.

God wants us to depend on Him. That is His greatest desire. I have had several conversations with people about why God gave man free will if He knew we would sin and separate ourselves from Him. I answer that He wanted His believers to love Him by their choosing. We are not robots trudging around to do the bidding of a puppet master. Instead, we are unique and beautiful individuals, all with the ability to think for ourselves. What brings joy to the Lord is when His creations realize that He loves them, wants to spend eternity with them, and will communicate with them personally.            

Prayer is simply a two-way conversation. It is an opportunity to talk to our creator about our wants and needs, but more importantly, to listen to Him about His plans for our life. It is to believe by faith that He is listening. It is to depend on His timing to answer our prayers in the manner that fits His design. It is to surrender ourselves to His will because He has much greater plans for us than we could ever imagine. All we need to do is talk to the Creator and listen for the answer.

Have a blessed week!
Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Michael

You can find the rest of this series, and more, on the PSC website: Pure Springs Blog Posts – Pure Springs Church