Hello, Hello? Is There Anybody Out There?

1 Timothy 2:1
"The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know."

I get on a plane filled with people I don't know going places I can only imagine. I eat pre-packaged food with ingredients I don't want to know. I watch a movie which is semi-amusing. I read a book purchased at the airport convenience store. Nothing I would normally read, mind you, but something to pass the time. The plane crosses through two time zones and I end up in a strange airport, not knowing which direction to walk.

And so I begin to follow the crowd. I go where most people go. I end up at a place where I must choose where to go. I don't need to go with everyone else to the baggage claim, as I am a smart traveler and use only carry-ons. But this leaves me basically alone. So, I call my hotel and ask them how to get there. They tell me of the shuttle. I take it. I get to my room. And according to local time, it's already late by their standards. By mine, it's early morning. I'm tired. The sounds of the fluorescent lighting in the hotel lobby buzz at the fringe of my brain, giving me the feeling I'm in a Greyhound Bus Station at three in the morning.

Finally, I fall into my bed. The snores begin within moments. I'm certain my neighbors did not sleep as soundly as they had wished once I arrived. Either that, or their dreams were filled with the sounds of logs being sawed. Maybe my snoring caused them to dream of some madman with a chainsaw? The thought brings a smile.

Morning comes. What do my neighbors do first thing? Well, if they dreamed of what my snores may have caused them to dream, I'll bet they prayed first thing this morning! What did I do? Nothing so spiritual, I must confess. Nope. I located the coffee pot and brewed some...double strength, trying to rouse myself for the day and face it with some semblance of awareness.

What's the first thing you do each day? For me, I can honestly tell you that often I do not pray first thing. Often I hop into the shower, or take care of the children, or brew some coffee. But this is changing. More and more, I'm remembering to say "Good morning" to Jesus when I first realize consciousness. More and more...and when I do this, my day is usually very different from my coffee-first-thing mornings. On the days when I pray first, I've started my day, inviting God to be a part of it.

I didn't always know how to do this. I didn't always understand prayer.

Prayer seems so often to be just a time when we ramble on to God about the goings on of our day. Prayer is often just a list of "God blesses." To many, prayer is sometimes just a list of thank Yous. And to others, prayer is sometimes just a list of requests.

I think prayer is pretty illusive to most people. I think many people don't really understand what they're doing, how to do it, or even why they're praying. I think that many people feel like their prayers go unanswered and that prayer is more like a broadcast than a two-way radio, firing our requests randomly into the cosmos hoping that someone, somewhere will answer. We don’t really expect an answer, do we? So often our prayers are like those giant satellite dishes those SETI folks use as they scan the universe for signs that we're not alone. They send their messages with wishful thinking, rather than with joyful expectancy.

Jesus prayed. He knew its importance. Regularly, Jesus got away from everybody, got down on His knees, and He prayed to His Father. Yes, He did ask for things. But more than anything, Jesus listened for the will of His Father. He expected answers.

There is a difference between the prayers of our heads and the prayers of our hearts. The prayers which issue forth from our heads are logical, rational, and usually come off of some sort of a list. The prayers which bust out of our hearts are usually messy, unorganized, and are the cry of our souls. Our heart prayers are often unspoken. But when the words do come, they come unbidden...un-looked for...sometimes as a surprise. They spill forth in a jumble of emotional and soul-wrenching passion.

Head prayers are controlled. Heart prayers can't be controlled. Head prayers speak safely. Heart prayers speak dangerously. Head prayers lack feeling. Heart prayers drip with the sentiments of the soul. Head prayers assume a God who listens to copy down our list, bestow a cursory blessing, and then check that item off said list. Heart prayers assume a God who listens tenderly, who will sometimes say yes, sometimes no, sometimes wait, and sometimes that His grace must be sufficient. Head prayers are monotone. Heart prayers are harmonious and dissonant all at the same time. Head prayers are stoic. Heart prayers cry tears of sorrow and joy.

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, tells Timothy that the first thing that he wants Timothy to do is pray. He doesn't just say this in a list of things that are important to do. He lists it as the first thing. In other words, it's of the highest importance. It is more urgent to pray than to do anything else. This is drop-everything kind of stuff. Before you preach, pray. Before you go there, pray. Before you eat, pray. Before you even get out of bed, pray. Before you do anything in Jesus' name, pray. And pray from your heart. Let it go. Pray from the depths of your very soul. There is nothing to hide before Your Father. He wants to have a relationship with you which goes beyond words on a list. He wants to know the struggles and the joys. He wants to reveal to you His plan for Your life. If you keep praying with your head only, you will never hear the voice of God, because He won't fit on to your list. If you start praying with your heart, you will come to know the voice of the Father and recognize when He is speaking to you of His will for your life.

When you pray, realize that God indeed answers every prayer and like Jesus, expect answers. However, the answers are not always what we'd prefer. Then again, when has a life of faith ever been about what we prefer? I believe these are the four answers we receive from God when we pray:

"Yes. This is what is best for you, My child. And because you ask out of your faith, with a broken heart and pride, what you ask for shall be yours. I am glad to grant this request because I know that it honors Me and blesses you."

"No. I’m sorry, although you may not be able to see it, this request isn’t a good idea. It may be later. Or, it may never be, but for now, you're going to think I'm not answering. And that's because the answer is no." Garth Brooks sings a song which speaks directly to this: "Sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers. Remember when you’re talkin’ to the Man upstairs, that just because He doesn’t answer don’t mean He don’t care. Some of God’s greatest gifts, are unanswered prayers."

"Wait. Not now. You’re not ready. The situation isn’t right yet. I have more things to prepare in your life. There are things you don't see...things you don't yet understand. I need to fire you longer in My kiln to prepare you to withstand the pressures you must face." This is exactly the answer I received from God when I was praying for Him to send me to do a new church start. For almost two years, my answer to my prayers was "Wait."

The final answer God gives to us in prayer is: "My grace is sufficient. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there are times when obedience is all I ask. In some of these times, it will seem as if I’m not there. It will seem like I don’t care or hear the cries of your heart. But in these times, all you need to know is that the grace I have given to you in My Son Jesus is sufficient…it’s enough. Trust in it…trust in Me. Be obedient. Submit your will to Mine. This is probably the hardest answer I will give to you in prayer, because it’s ultimately about obedience…being obedient to Me. You need to know that My grace is sufficient for you, My dear child. I died for you on the cross, and in the end, that will be enough because through that, you will receive My most precious gift, My grace which will bring to you an eternity spent with Me."

Pray today. Don't stop praying. Pray at work, in school, on the bus, in your car. Pray in the shower! Pray at meal times. Pray at bed times. Pray at all times. Pray. Pray hard. Pray soul prayers--heart prayers. Pray standing up. Pray sitting at your desk. Pray on your knees. Pray later. Pray right now.

And remember that so very much of prayer is listening.

What will this day hold for you, my dear friend? I have no idea…you have no idea. But God does. So why don't you talk to Him about it?

Be WILD For Christ!

Shane Burton