Excuse me God, can we talk?

By Lisa Buffaloe   

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 NIV).

When Chipper was a puppy, he escaped whenever we opened our front door. He thoroughly enjoyed the chase as his family screamed like wild people for him to stop. One getaway occurred when my husband and I were in need of surgeries, and our son had asthma. The puppy was the only healthy one in the bunch.

The three of us fanned out, hoping to catch Chipper before he got too far. “God, I’m sorry to bother You, but could You help us catch him?” I prayed apologetically. We knew God would help; we just weren’t sure how far we’d have to hobble. After a painful, wheezing chase, Chipper was cornered on the front porch of a neighbor’s house. When we returned home, puppy safe in our son’s strong arms, I realized my prayer had been tentative.

Why the hesitation to ask? Paul, in Philippians 4:6, tell us to pray about everything. Small children request anything and everything. Maybe as adults we rank our petitions, worried our “little” things are not important to a Holy God. God longs to be involved in every area of our lives, just like I want my family and friends to tell me about their days, not just the major happenings.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the answer.” Talking to God solidifies our relationship with Him. Keeping that line of communication open drives our roots deeper into the firm ground of His abiding presence.

Your Heavenly Father longs to hear from you. God created you—He never finds you or what is happening in your life insignificant. No prayer is too big or too small. God is never busy or distracted. Talk to Him, He’s waiting to listen, even when we’re out chasing wayward puppies.

{mos_fb_discuss:30}