Be Careful What You Pray For

We've all heard the phrase, be careful what you wish for. The implication being that you just might get what you wish for.


I'm here to warn you, be careful what you pray for. For the Lord just may use that prayer to reveal truths that you wish you hadn't asked for!


I love how the Lord sees so much more that we ever will. His view is eternal. Mine is limited to time and space. Feelings and emotions. Circumstances and surroundings. Actions and reactions. And I am beyond grateful that His view is what comes into focus when He answers my prayers.


You see, I've been praying about something. Two somethings, actually. And He answered them both at the same time in a way I wasn't really prepared for. To be completely honest, it kinda rattled my world. Well, to be completely honest, not kinda, it totally rocked my world. Earthquake style.


To say I was a little shocked would be an understatement. I immediately reacted and in the same instant took a deep breath while realizing this was an answer to two prayers. I wanted to say, "NO!" At the same time I screamed, "YES!"


It hurt a little. It hurt a lot. Yet, at the same time, it brought great healing. Romans 8:31 says, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" So even when an answered prayer seems to be against me, God is for me. And He is for you. He's in your corner. In my corner. And He answers our prayers in the way that will grow our faith and glorify Him.


For the last few days God has been constantly reminding me that He listens when I pray and is very aware of me and my concerns. Just a couple of nights ago I couldn't sleep. We had a pressing issue and it woke me up around three a.m. So I prayed. And prayed. And prayed. Fitfully. Restlessly. It felt like I was wrestling with Him until suddenly a scripture crossed my mind. Truth. A promise. You know the coolest thing? After that verse crossed my mind, I fell straight into the deepest and most restful sleep I've had in a long time.


Even more cool than that, yesterday I saw that prayer answered. Early. God is so good!


Sometimes the answers are unexpected and a little painful. Maybe a lot painful. Sometimes the answers are early, and sometimes we have to wait and wait and wait.


The most important thing we can remember is that God is on our side. He hears us when we call. And call we must. Step into your war-room, friend, and cry out to Jesus. He's waiting.