There is a practical fruit that grows in the soil of persistent prayer. It is the fruit of reality. We bring our requests to the Lord and offer our petitions based on situations as we understand them. But, so often our requests are only our best guesses made from our very limited perspective. We cannot know all the circumstances or the right timing or the heart attitudes of those involved. But God does. If my intercession is only a list I rattle off, then He doesn't have a chance to speak, to shape, to give me the understanding to prayer His will into a situation.

      However, if I will sit before Him and listen, He will speak. Over time, He will give insights and truths into the reality of things. No great emotional rush, no finger writing on the wall--just a thought or a few words that open the situation to a new viewpoint or a bigger picture of what He wants to do. Some days, there is just the peace and quiet assurance that He has heard and He is working.

      And that other voice is there-- you know that one, too. It is the voice that disrupts and discourages and sends me off on mental rabbit trails. But I have discovered this: the more that I anticipate I will hear from the Spirit, the more that I want to hear from Him and the more I value His shaping my desire into His truth-- the less that other voice intrudes.

      So, when I cling tightly to my little list and believe that my job is to convince God to see things my way, prayer is a tug of war from start to finish. When, however, I lay my requests before my Father and allow Him to teach me, to correct me, to prune me, to change my heart, prayer-- and life-- is a lot more satisfying.

Dear Father, Like all fallen things, we have a natural growth pattern. If we allow You to begin your pruning process, the first few cuts may be severe. Through the discomfort of being molded into a new pattern, encourage us with a vision of what You are shaping us to be--beautiful and fruitful for Your eternal kingdom.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen

Nancy S.
Back to Our Home Page