THE CHALLKBOARD

Lights. Music. Candle. Water mill. Chalkboard. When I come in, water the plants, write, read my bible, or pray, I see the names. Some have prayer closets. I have my chalkboard. When people ask for prayer I take it seriously. They only come off the board when the prayer has been answered. A very wise friend shared with me a long time ago that “the victory for answered prayers was on my knees, not with my shouts”. The problem was the answered prayers…some were not what I prayed for. I prayed for healing and they died. I prayed they would find a wonderful job and instead they went into bankruptcy. I prayed the marriage would be saved but the divorce came. God says in Ps. 34:17 “ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he DELIVERS them from ALL their troubles”. Is this a true statement? Have you ever prayed for someone or something but it didn’t come out the way you prayed? If not, should you continue to pray? Some of these people I am praying for now on my chalkboard could answer this better than me…yes. That same wise friend shared this about the purpose of prayer; “ God sees the ending and answers our prayers accordingly…with unconditional love”. Awhile back a good friend of mine was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She was given less than a year to live. I prayed every day she would be healed. I felt God prompting me to pray for her healing. She died. I stopped praying. Four months later I ran into a friend of hers. I eventually shared my disappointment that God had not answered my prayers. She shared with me and said “ God DID answer your prayer. She was healed. It wasn’t her physical health that she wanted healing from. It was her marriage. That last year brought them the closest they had ever been. She told her that she was so thankful for the cancer because her real desire was finally answered”. I haven’t stopped praying since then. And neither should you. I don’t know how my prayers for those on the chalkboard will be answered…I just know I can trust My Father that it will be answered according to the love and purpose He has for them. So, I still have room for more prayer requests on my chalkboard. Anyone?