Praying for an Answer

Not all questions can be answered by Google, originally uploaded by jaygooby.

I almost didn't write this post. It's a leap of faith in itself. I'm putting out there on the internet that I trust God enough to believe His promises. And it's harder than it sounds.

I've got a decision to make, and I'm tired of weighing pros and cons. I've asked advice, I've mulled it over until my head aches, I've gnawed my lips and done the research and hemmed and hawed. Now it's time to come to a conclusion of the matter. I want to make the best decision, and even though God may not "care" what I do, He is also the only one who knows which path would bring me the most happiness, opportunity, fulfillment, etc. I really want to make the best decision, so why not try asking the omniscient God of the universe? I think I have the right:

 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 

Matthew 18:19-20

Anything they ask for? That's powerful. If Mom and Dad and I get together on this, apparently we should be able to get an answer. Here's another one:

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Psalm 37:4

I had a great conversation with an elderly neighbor who has been a man of God for decades. He shared some examples of times when he asked the Lord to answer a specific question (should we buy this house, etc.) and He answered loud and clear! Sometimes opportunities he couldn't have imagined popped up later and proved that he had indeed taken the right path.


He told me to get into a quiet place, ask my Father in Heaven a specific question (not, "What should I do?", more like "Yes or No to A and B?"), sit still and listen.

Listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, LISTEN!

Listen like I woke up in the middle of the night and heard what might be a burglar in the house.


But will the Lord answer me? That's the question. I've rarely had the courage to ask my Father a specific question and not stop asking and listening until I've received an answer. I certainly haven't been like the persistent widow. I'm afraid that I won't hear anything, that the still small voice, the vision, the idea, the whatever, won't come to me. 

What am I lacking?

Psalm 21:2,7 gives a peep at what might be my problem. God granted the desire of the king's heart because the king...
was good enough to deserve it? 
Nooo. 
Perhaps the king...was a really good listener? 
Nooo. 
Perhaps the king...was a zealous monk living out in the desert away from temptation? 
Wrong again.


The king trusted in the Lord.Throughout the scriptures it seems like trust is vital to having your desires granted. Psalm 40:4 says, "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD...." 

Do I trust Him?

"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"  

Numbers 23:19 

So here it goes. I am trusting, putting my faith on the line, exposing my heart to my Father, and praying for an answer. This is the desire of my heart: show me Your best way.