"Have you been praying about it? Asking God for His direction?"
"No"
"Why not?"
"What if God says no?"
"So you only want to consult God if you'll get the answer you want?"
"I'm certainly not seeking an answer I don't want."
"No I suppose you're not. I suppose none of us does. The thing is, God knows best. He knows what he's doing because he sees the big picture. We may think we know what's best for us, or even for others, but he knows. That's why it's best if we let him do the choosing for us."
"Then why pray for anything specific? If you're just going to let God do what He wants anyway, then why ask?"
"We don't let God do what He wants. He just does it."
"I repeat, why ask?"
"Because above all else he wants us to turn to him, communicate with him. That's what prayer accomplishes. And it does yield results. 'For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened'"
I was struck by this scene because on the surface it seemed so ridiculous- not praying because you are worried He will say no? I thought......how silly is that?
But as I went on to finish the book- that scene kept coming back to my mind time and time again.
And it made me think of the times I have NOT prayed- simply because I didn't want to hear an answer from God.
About the times I did NOT pray because I wasn't willing to accept His answer, His will, and His plan.
About the times I did NOT pray simply because I was selfish and didn't want to submit.
About the times I did NOT pray simply because I didn't want to go through the difficult times that might follow.
About the times I did NOT pray because I simply didn't want to be obedient.
And I realized that sometimes, I'm just like that girl in the book.
Silly and ridiculous and disobedient.
And so I prayed and asked God to forgive me for those times and to help me to pray- always and about everything.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
