My Prayer Attitude These Days

Tonight while I was on my knees in prayer, almost ready to hop into bed (well, I don't "hop" into bed these days - bones are too old), I realized that my method of praying has changed from when I was a young child. In those days, even though it might have been properly motivated, it was sort of a "gimme" attitude. Lord, I need this, and Dear God, please help this person now. That sort of thing.

Tonight I was mostly concerned with a friend, a neighbor, who needs to book a reasonably priced flight tomorrow. He had no choice but to wait until two weeks before departure. He's going "home" for a visit, to one of the Caribbean islands, for about three weeks. He is still working, at age 82, and his HR department took their time in approving his "time off" dates. That's why he is booking so late.

We all know that the rates will be almost double what they would have been, say, two weeks prior. So, I was praying for a truly miraculous connection tomorrow. I pulled out all the stops in my prayer. I reminded God of the many good things this man has done, and how this man tries to give a good day's work for his wages. I reminded him that this late booking was not my neighbor's fault. And I dropped in a few other good words, too.

That's part of my prayer strategy these days. These past few years, I always try to explain to the Lord why I feel this favor is not selfish but rather motivated by other reasons.

Then, I added my final words, telling God that I ask this if it does not interfere with his plans for this man, telling him that his will, not ours, be done. I then say that I trust his judgment and that I know he is working on it as we speak. I leave it at that. Nothing more can be done but to see if this is meant to be.

Dear God, thank you for always being there to hear my prayers. When you cannot answer them the way I wish, please replace my wishes with enough grace for me to accept what must be.