Christian Family Services Ministry

6-21-2022 – A Word to the Wise – On Prayer part 2

Frequently, my mother and I prayed together. We would often ask the LORD for answers and make sure we agreed on the answers we received.

I began to wonder if the way we experienced prayer was unique to us. My mother warned me to never talk about prayer in church. In her experience, these people believed that communication with the Lord was a one-way street. That would have gotten me kicked out of the ‘synagogue’ really quick.

She found a little book written in 1956, ‘Letters By A Modern Mystic,’ by Frank Laubach. I do not agree with mysticism. However, in this book, this minister describes some of the most beautiful conversations with the Lord. Now I knew that others experienced prayer as I. Both precious books sit in front of me as I write.

You may think that life is easier with this kind of prayer life. I believe it makes decisions harder. How can that be? Think about it- if you are the one who makes all the decisions then life is somewhat simple. You are free to believe whatever happens is the Lord’s will. In this manner of prayer, it does not work that way. If the Lord gives you a direction- you do not know where you are going, nor how you will get there. Not to mention, what it will cost, or where you will end up. Believe me faith is not easy.

However, for me, some very difficult life questions had to be answered. I had left home at 16. However, now I had to support myself, and decide about the future and it looked bleak. I did not trust my own judgement- only the Lord could know the wise path for me to take. I was very shy and would be graduating in 4 short months. “Lord, what do I do?” I have no clue.

He told me to talk to a recruiter that would be at the school tomorrow. “Which one, Lord? The Air Force.” I obeyed. May 31st, I graduate High School. On June 6, 1961, I was on an airplane headed to Lackland Air Force Base.

I am astounded at the perfect timing and the lifelong blessing that specific prayer led to. Even today, sixty years later, I benefit from what the Lord told me to do. The VA still pays a portion of my medical bills.