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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
“Be in pray at 5:00” The co-lay leader of our church spoke those words to me as I waited to shake hands with our pastor on a Sunday after worship service.
I knew why she asked for prayer. On two separate occasions that past week, I heard her ask for prayer for an unspoken request. I responded to her comment. “ I know about that need and I will continue to pray.”
The need was great. I felt the weight of the circumstance when it came to my attention on Friday. The basic information came to me through my reading our local newspaper, making the outcome of a confrontation public information. I felt pain for some innocents who would have to live through the aftermath of this emergency meeting. Part of the angst I felt was for the person in the middle of all this. Another part of the sadness was for those who would be affected by any decision reached by those who would be present at that emergency meeting. There could be some who would only hear of the possible outcome of the group who met.
As I drove home that Sunday, I decided to set me alarm clock for the time I was asked to pray. When I got home, I ate lunch with my husband and then set my alarm. He asked me why I was doing that. All I said was, “I have an appointment at 5:00.” Later, he mentioned something about a meeting I had to be at. I told him I was to pray about something at that time.
In my Christian walk, I have witnessed several incidents of severe issues in churches. One was a church in a town where I worked. One of the customers I waited on knew I attended a church of the same denomination and said something like, “We are without a pastor.” Then, I listened and prayed for all those involved in that circumstance. God brought that church through that time. A few years earlier another church in that area faced a severe moral issue and, as a result, had to disband. The property was sold to another church.
When someone asks me to pray for a tenuous situation, I find myself praying a certain way. I have to pray for all the parties involved in the need. I learned to pray for God’s Will for all involved.
God will accomplish His desire for His children. That desire will override any desire we may have. His Will for our lives is what is best for us. We might always understand His will but we are to abide by it. We pray for a good outcome but the actions we have taken or our behavior could prevent our receiving the answer we want. God is a just God; He is sovereign.
Dear Lord God;
Please help us when we pray to You. Guide us in our thoughts as we present the need or needs we have. Help us to seek Your will as we search for answers. We will give You the praise. In the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN
I
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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