My dad describes a surprising encounter with the Lord, years ago, when he was attempting nighttime prayers. He was lying in bed, going through a mental checklist of all the people and things he needed to pray for, and time and again his prayers were distracted by thinking about a solution to a part on his airplane. Over and over again he chastised himself as his prayers derailed with thoughts about the plane’s engine, and he would force himself back to prayer. And then, like a door opening, the engine solution came to him.
“Lord, I’m sorry I can’t stay focused on prayer,” Dad said. “I’m so distracted thinking about this part, and I really just want to pray…”
“Billy,” my dad felt the Lord whisper, “It’s in praying that I’m giving you the answer. Make no mistake who that light-bulb idea came from, it is my joy to give you good gifts when you come to me in prayer.”
Sometimes prayer is just not that hard. Or serious. Or weighted with self control.
Sometimes it is a delight.
This Thanksgiving week, and every week, may we enjoy communion with our Heavenly Father.
The Lord your God is in your midst… He will rejoice over you with joy, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zeph 3:17