Asking for Guidance

So here I am, past the middle of the first month of the new year. What of my plans, goals, and strategies for reaching those goals?

A repeat from last year is to pray about EVERYTHING. That could get pretty detailed, such as what I should wear or eat. But from acripture I gather that God does care about all those little parts of my life. Sometimes I hesitate to “bother” him about small matters. Then I recall his care for the sparrows and for the weeds and I know he won’t be bothered by anything, no matter how small (Matthew 10:29-31.)

My dear friend who is just beginning to learn about God asked how we know when to pray that no one else is praying. Is there a queue of people who are waiting to be heard? It’s  hard for her to grasp the omniscience and omnipotence of God when she’s never known anything about him. We take so much for granted!

In another instance, she asked why Steve will say a person’s name and then some numbers.  Since she’s never read the Bible, she has no sense of its being organized into books, chapters, and verses. We take so much for granted!

She asked how to begin if we want to “talk to him.” I suggested several different approaches, all based on my own experiences and prayers. I told her it was just talking to him, as she and I might talk. She said, “So could I just start ‘Hi, God’?” Of course I told her that would be a great way to start. I’m so touched that she wants to know how to pray and wants to go to church with us. We take so much for granted!

Such a humbling experience for me. I do want to pray about everything, but especially for her–to be healed physically and emotionally, and, most of all, spiritually. God has brought us together; I don’t doubt that. I just have to be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in response to my fervent prayers.