Do we build up fences and walls when we think of how great God can be today? Maybe we pray to just get through the day, comfort for a sick friend. I'm learning how to take away parameters that I set in my spiritual walk -- in my prayer life, in my expectations, and in my faith. Jeremiah 33:3 says, "'Come to Me,' says the LORD, 'and I will show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'"
I'm also trying to teach my high school students this promise. I teach at a Christian school, so our evangelical ministry is allowed. I want to encourage them to gaze upon the interminable blessings we receive from God through prayer.
They're learning, and they walked through a struggle with me.
After spending 25 days in ICU back in August 2023, my dad was discharged from the hospital. He could finally go home. The next morning in class, the juniors rejoiced with me. I let them exclaim whatever praise they wanted to in class followed with applause and a "Praise God!" It was such a fun morning. Before the day was over, Mom called. Dad was rushed to the hospital.
He died two days later and entered into eternal life. It was tough; it still is. But through this, God is still leading me, and part of the journey is to lead these teens. Sometimes, our prayer requests are answered just as we hope, but not always.
A student's grandfather, who we had been praying for, died recently. It was tough, again. And I had the opportunity to encourage them, again.
"No parameters, class!" I preached. The day went on, and so did the thermostat. The students enjoyed a rowdy pep rally, and they came back to class, still huffing from the event. My classroom felt like a sauna. The a/c repair crew came and had a look, but I still had no air. I opened the window and told them we could handle it.
As I prayed aloud, I paused for a moment and thought, I should pray for the air, but then if it never comes on, they may question prayer. The words "no parameters" surfaced, and I continued my prayer: "Lord, we're pretty hot in here. It'd be nice if You would kick on the a/c for us." One second followed, and the air gave a slight boom, and it came on, blowing out cool air. I kept my eyes closed, but I could hear the gasps.
Thank You, God!
If all the work God is doing is visual or auditory, maybe we would pray believing more. If we could see the door open each time we made a request, then we would expect and wait for His answer more. We would pray without parameters.
Prayer is not to make our lives easier. Prayer is to draw us closer to God and to seek first the kingdom of heaven. He can show His power through so many aspects of our lives. Romans 11:36 tells us all is for God, and through God, and to God. All. And all doesn't have any parameters.
I'm still learning this lesson, hoping to keep my focus on the realization that my finite mind sometimes falls short in seeing the infinite attributes of our God.