Pray It Through

Pray It Through
A Very Short Devotional
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A few years ago, Dusty and I planned a getaway to our usual spot in Michigan. We had just one day to visit my favorite place – an overlook of Lake Michigan from the top of a 450-foot sand dune. When the sun shines on the water, the view is breathtaking! I like to just sit on the dune for hours and allow the grandeur and beauty to refresh my spirit.

We secured our accommodations well in advance for those few days. The forecast called for clouds and rain when I looked at the weather icons on my phone. I asked the Lord to bring just a little bit of sun on the day we would go to the dune. I know that He does not always give us the weather we ask for; He has other purposes in mind, such as showing off the dramatic contrasts of the storm clouds. But I wanted sun, and so I asked for it.

A week before we left, a dark cloud with lightning was all that appeared on my phone’s weather app. I kept praying while knowing that I do love the rain, and perhaps I would have ample time to journal inside our room instead. Each day the weather changed a bit. I thought, “Well, at least now it will only be cloudy instead of rain and lightning,” I thought. I kept praying. A few days before we left home, a tiny peek of sun was behind the cloud on my phone for that special day! The day we left, full sun was forecasted! I will never forget that day with colorful hang-gliders everywhere near the dune.

The image of these weather icons has stayed in my mind since then as an example of perseverance in prayer. It is not an example of getting whatever we want when we persevere. (I don't receive sunshine whenever I want it!) But the image reminds us that it is often His will for us to persevere.

When we pray for a loved one to come to faith, or for healing or victory, I think of the round full sun as if I am praying toward the completion of the prayer, toward the Son, toward the fullness of the light!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Jesus was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart… (Luke 18:1)

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)

The path of the kedoshim (righteous) is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. (Proverbs 4:18)