FIRST, PRAY!

It was a long time ago when I learned about "first." To give you an idea about how long ago it was, I was folding the diapers of Peggy and Lynn and watching a TV daytime serial. I don't remember the name of the serial, but it's been gone for a very long time. It was over 50 years ago as both girls are now past 50 years old.

Anyway, I wasn't the happiest camper in those days; money was tight and no one would hire a mother with two children. My husband, Jerry,a dentist just out of the Navy, was headed back to school so could no longer keep working. We were flat broke, with no money to live on and no money for school. School was very important as he had just been accepted, one of two students, to the Minnesota University's Orthodontic Program. Now what do we do?

While folding those diapers--remember cloth diapers?--my doorbell rang. A smiling woman stood there, someone I didn't know. I had no concern; we hadn't heard of stranger-danger in those days and I was a bit lonely. I invited her in.

I can't remember anything outstanding about her opening comments; I only remember what we finally spoke about. She asked me, "Do you ever talk to God about your fears?"

"No, I guess I don't really know how. How do you go about starting to pray?"

"Well," she said, "First,you must ask God. Asking God of something is part of praying. So now, first, you pray and ask God to teach you to pray. He will, you know, He really will. Whatever you want or need the first thing you always do is--pray."

I never forgot this. Sometimes I momentarily have to be reminded of the importance of First, Pray!, but it always comes back to me as the perfect solution.

My relationship with God has been pretty good over the years, with bad moments, of course, and also great moments. Recently, however, I have noted how my prayer life as flattened out. I know God is there. I know He wants me to pray, and I do pray for other people when asked. I like to pray and have been somewhat disappointed that I haven't been as excited about prayer as I used to be. God and I have a comfortable arrangement, but the excitement is missing. Sort of like marriage once and awhile. We can forget to keep the fire glowing, and it's a shame because it's so easy to do. Special thoughtfulness doesn't cost a dime, and it pays off so nicely. But back to my prayer life-----.

I took that stranger's advice, and I prayed, "God, please show me how to pray. And how to have a closeness to you." And God did show me, both things. Over the years, I have been very grateful to that "angel" in disguise who came to my door and said, "First, Pray!"

Now, this morning, I went to God once again. I admitted I had been convicted. I knew God had been waiting for me for a long time to come to Him with my heart as well as my words. My service to God may just be in small services, but it always will be to pray.

There are so many things to pray for: God wants everyone saved--so pray.
God wants us to live humbly in contemplation--so pray. He wants rulers and governments to rule well and do so without selfish concerns--so pray. God wants Satan to be thwarted again and again--so pray. God wants our churches to be alive with Him--so pray. God wants us well and healing--so pray. God wadnts men and women to become available to serve the world--so pray. God wants churches to be jump-started with compassion and love--so pray. God wants the church's ministers and leaders to witness holiness and purity--so pray. First, pray!

God wants me to pray. I'm part of the problem. So, I must pray, for I cannot throw a single stone at anyone else. Lord, forgive me for my stubborn blindness and irrational disability by not listening for your call.

And God, I shall try to remember, always, to FIRST, PRAY!

Your servant, jo