Truth Rains

Rain weaves through the forest this morning. Whispering their silence in the breeze, the mountain laurels seem to say we were here before you and will be here after. Outside the window, the creek dances with ripples joyfully etching the landscape in time. Seeking refuge and rest, the squirrels chose not to come out to play in the rain. Creation is renewing this morning and one can only sense God saying, “Be still. See what I am doing in you.”

Abiding God’s hand, nature only knows the season. Such is the way we experience renewal, abiding God’s work in us, listening during our own seasons of renewal. Truth rains in us, weaves through the forest of our strivings and our ever-present desires to will our outcomes. God whispers, He rains, He ripples rivulets of truth when He has so prepared our hearts to hear and understand. Life’s seasons prepare us, open our minds and hearts to His presence, His coming, His desire to find a place in those dark and closed corners we wish to hold. Every season is a prayer though we do not know we are praying. What could we ask in that prayer but for Him to answer? And He does, in His time, His season, His perfect way of renewing us, He answers.

Such an answer came the other day while praying our Lord’s Prayer in an all too rote manner. A thousand times said, certainly more, mindlessly and ritually spoken without ever considering what Jesus meant when He said, “For your Father knows the things you need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore pray” (Matthew 9:8, NKJV). Of course He knows what we need, though we prefer to tell Him what we want.

But this utterance, this day, paused me. Suddenly, all those intercessory prayers found a place beneath the canopy of the Lord’s Prayer. A little snippet of remembrance reminded me the Lord’s Prayer should be prayed for all. This all included those for whom I had prayed, for what I had prayed, and asked for God to be present where He desired to be.

And this slowed down the prayer, turned my heart toward God while mindfully saying the words not by rote but with meaning and intention. Our Lord’s Prayer is all encompassing, recognizing that God knows what we need before we ask. But ask we must with heart and mercy until in His time He reveals the answer.

Like the rain, God had renewed my spirit, His truth weaved through my forest, found me and whispered through that silent prayer. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.

My daily bread had come. And all those for whom I had prayed, earnestly and fervently for physical and spiritual healing, all those needs, were heard by God by praying those words—give us. Yes, He gave and shall give in His time, according to His will.

“When he calls on Me, I will answer him” (Psalm 91:15).