Providence and Prayer

When God moved my family to Chicago, I wasn't sure what He had in store for me. I guessed, "Maybe He's bringing me here to fill the Bible gaps in my brain. Or maybe He's planning to give me a little better theoretical understanding of what ministry is all about. Or it could be that He just wants me to learn something more about myself." In my time up north, He has accomplished all of these things, but I'm convinced He had a broader purpose in bringing me here. In the months and years prior to moving from that small, rural community in East Central Indiana, this was a regular prayer of mine: "Father, open my eyes, and help me to see your hand at work in my life and in the world around me."

Divine providence. That's what they call it in the classroom where I read all about it and wrote essays on it. Having a little book knowledge about providence is helpful, but God allowing me to witness it and experience it is what has really shaped me and my view of Him. Seeing Him work has softened me. Seeing Him work has created in me a spirit of humility, thanksgiving, and praise. God is more active in our lives and in the world than we will ever know. In His divine providence, God has spent the last 20 months teaching me about... His providence. And about prayer.

Bible knowledge is pretty important for a pastor. We get that. Of course it is! There's nothing more important, right? We have to be prepared to handle the Word of God with care, accuracy, and reverence. Preaching and teaching is what pastors do. At least that's the thing we see them doing every week when the spotlight is shining brightly on him and his mic is amped up. What we don't see are the hours of prayer for the needs of the congregation. The prayers asking for guidance. The prayers seeking wisdom. The prayers just resting in His presence and nurturing a love relationship. Prayer is what shapes the pastor's heart and vision. Without prayer, the Bible feels stale. And so does the pastor's teaching. So it shouldn't be any surprise to me that God has taught me as much about prayer in the last 20 months as He has about the Bible.

It has been interesting how providence and prayer have intersected and interacted in my life. I'm currently reading Richard Foster's Prayer. Yesterday, I sat down to read a chapter and thought, "This has been one of the most relaxing, restful days I've had in several months." I sat for a few minutes watching a storm roll in and listening to the rain. Ahhhhh. When I opened my book to chapter 9 and read the title "The Prayer of Rest," I wasn't surprised that God, in His providence, had me reading about this topic on this day at this time. God's divine fingerprints were all over this one.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt. 11:28-29)

I'm so thankful for what God is teaching me, and I'm eager to see what He does next. What is He going to teach me? How is He going to shape me? Whose heart is He preparing to hear the Gospel? What is He doing in the hearts and minds of this generation of believers? Where is He taking us?

God is good.