Rerun from a simpler time: Daily Devotional January 8, 2018
Sunday is always my favorite day of the week because of three worship services, lunch, and afternoon naps. That’s about as good as it gets, but yesterday had an added bonus.
After lunch, I stopped by Tractor Supply to get a specialized oil filter wrench. That’s because I had spent most of Saturday afternoon with our UTV on jacks in the driveway, as I attempted to do change fluids and filters.
By the way, did you know if you drain more than two gallons of transmission fluid plus two quarts of motor oil into a container that isn’t meant to hold that much, that you are going to have a real problem? Me neither.
Anyways, I was able to remove two filters, but the engineers who designed our UTV had decided to place the third filter where only an octopus can reach. After trying everything I could think of, getting a bloody knuckle, and being on the verge of losing my Christianity, I realized the only way I was going to successfully remove the filter from hell was to use a special type of filter wrench, which resulted in the Sunday afternoon excursion to Tractor Supply.
The good news is that by using this special wrench, I was able to get the filter off and replace it with a new one. This special tool was the only way I was ever going to achieve my goal, otherwise it would have been impossible.
Unfortunately, some people take the same sort of attitude about prayer. It is to be done at a particular place, with a particular physical posture, hands clasped together and said with appropriate phrases. Otherwise, God won’t hear. That’s not true.
You can pray anytime, anywhere, anyway. Just do it.
Prayer is the most important conversation you can have. It is a candid, revealing exchange with the one who loves you more than life itself. And if you feel as if you are somehow doing it wrong, remember the words of Paul: “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (Romans 8:26-28 MSG)
In other words, if we allow it, God will actually help guide our prayers. All we have to do is pray.
So take a few moments this morning to tell God hello, ask for guidance, and plug into God’s will for your life. That’s what prayer is all about.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me to focus on your purpose for my life. Help me to live the life you have envisioned for me. Let my life please you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Prayer doesn’t require any special equipment other than a willing heart. God handles the rest. Thank God for God!
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 