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Recently I have been asked to pray for people a lot. Or, just offered to. A lot of crazy things going on. Friends losing jobs, dealing with tumors and cancers, relationship turmoil, and even just people caught in a mess of their own poor choices.

I am certainly not immune. I have felt tired, spent, exhausted, and overwhelmed by much of life for the past 8 or 9 months. There are certainly bright spots, and, as the song goes, “All of the way, my Savior leads me,” but life is just not always sunshine and lollipops. (Like, for example, the $600 auto repair bill I just got…)

Through it all, however, I want to, and do ask God to “fix stuff” in life. But I have found that this is the hardest thing for me to do with Him. Not that I don’t think he listens, or answers, prayer… I know he does. I even wrote a song about it.

I also have no problem talking with God. I love him, and know he loves me. So we chat often about many things. Everything. Even if it’s not polished up all nice and shiny for him. Because I know he loves me.

That is the part that is not making sense for me. Every time I ask God for something – be it for me, or for someone else – I eventually (usually quickly) come to the point where I say something like, “But if you have a better idea, I want what you want.” Every time. Which always makes me think, “So why am I asking you?” It’s not that I am unwilling to ask… that’s why I do ask. What is it that won’t let me ask for something without a qualifier?

Best I can figure, it’s because I have come to know my Father, and completely trust him. I know first, that he loves me completely and his plans for me are to “prosper me, and not to harm me.” I totally get that. And I trust that. Completely. So whenever I ask for something, I always realize, “You know… I am only looking at this from my perspective… you probably know something much bigger-picture. If I am asking for something that is not the best, then I want what you want!”

Does this negate the need to pray for stuff in your life, and for other people? I don’t think so. There are examples of believers praying for the life circumstances of themselves and other believers. It’s not bad. And maybe it’s just good in that we are refocusing ourselves, remembering from whom we receive “every good and perfect gift.” I still wonder though if there is something in this that I am not quite understanding.

I’m sure there is. 🙂 And I’m certain that my Father will lead me into it, and beyond.