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By Rev Don Rivers
That little voice in your ear, that nudge at your heart, that thought in your mind; where does it come from? It has two sources. One is from you, one is from God. How do you figure out which one to listen to? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
It seems everyone in racing has a radio tuned into something. There are so many voices that come over the radio it is a wonder we can distinguish one from another. I thought about the drivers and the voices in their head; Spotter, Crew Chief, Crew Members, Race Director, oh and don’t forget their own thoughts. How do they figure out which one to listen to? How do they filter them out and pick the right voice?
I travel many miles and there are times I prefer silence. I make the car as quiet as possible. I try to tune out anything and everything. Why; so that I can focus on my thoughts and prayers to God and listen for His response. I spend many miles in prayer, communicating and listening to God. Prayer is less about our physical posture and location; kneeling in church and saying some preset words and more about the condition of our heart. Prayer is a conversation with God, any conversation.
I think we pray more than we think. I think we solicit God’s intervention in our lives more than we are aware. How much do we talk to God? What do we hope to hear from Him? How will His voice influence us and the decisions we make? We need to start a conversation.
Talking with God has a few parts to it. First we need to do it, develop a daily plan and talk with God. Much like we talk with our family and friends. We also need to look at content, what do we pray for. We can get caught up thinking God is just there to grant our requests. That is false and a prayer life that is just asking for things will not be much benefit.
That doesn’t mean God doesn’t answer prayers, but the purpose of the conversation is to listen to God’s direction and wisdom. We sometimes forget God has a plan for us and it is good, it will provide hope and a future.
Jeramiah 29:11-13; NLT; For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Are we seeking God wholeheartedly? Many times we are distracted by the things around us, the circumstances of life. We can get so caught up in trying to figure out what’s going on we never make a connection with God. When we become aware of it we offer up a quick prayer and then move along. The problem is, no connection was made.
I heard it put this way once; Some of our prayer lives are like picking up our cell phone and just talking into it, not dialing a number, thinking we just talked to someone, thinking they heard us. We have to make the connection. We have to make the connection with God. Is there someone on the other end?
The good thing with God is we don’t have to worry where we are or how good our service is, God is always available to connect with. He is waiting for us to reach out to him. I’m going to date myself here, but I remember the old phone company tagline, reach out and touch someone. If there is no connection, there is no conversation.
The content of our prayer doesn’t have to conform to any formula, although Jesus gave us an example in the Lord’s Prayer. Our prayers can be short, long, anything that may be weighing on our shoulders at any given time. The main component that is important is we have to acknowledge who God is and who we are. We are there mostly to listen, not to dictate.
Sometimes we pray to help us get out of things, rather than get through things. Like we are banging on the door “get me out” instead of God “get me through.” There are times we don’t hear an answer and we think God is not listening to us. Remember the cartoon the Flintstones when Fred was locked out, banging on the door yelling “Wilma”! Does your prayer feel like that sometimes?
Take a step back for a moment, reflect on what we have been burdened with, make that connection with God, then listen. God isn’t ignoring our prayers, he is answering, but we may be looking for a different answer. We need to allow God to lead us to His response, a response that will be beneficial to us.
God does not provide answers to our prayers that are second best He provides the best. We need to listen and wait for His answer. We wait for many things in life, checkered flags, traffic lights, paydays, well, why not wait for God’s answers to our prayers.
He will provide the answer, guidance and direction in his time. The timing that will be the best for us. We need to stop trying to find our own answer, or get aggravated because you think He isn’t listening to us.
Mathew 7:7-8; NLT; “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
We think God isn’t going to listen to us because of the way we live our life, the mistakes we make. That is not true, He is waiting to hear from us. If you wonder about how to start your prayer, acknowledge Him as Lord and ask for His forgiveness. This is a perfect way to start praying right now; ask God for forgiveness for past things, let him know you’re ready for a relationship with Him.
I talk with God many times during my day, especially as I’m driving. I pray about so many things. We don’t have to be standing still, wherever we are God is ready to listen. Here’s a way to get the family involved as well. When you gather to eat, before you begin eating ask around is there something we need to pray about today?
Having that connection with God, listening to Him and following His guidance will change the direction of our lives. He will lead us to people and places we would never go ourselves. I remember a testimony of such a prayer.
A young boy came over to one of our chaplains in the garage area and asked if we would pray with his mother in the stands. As they were walking he shared that his mom has cancer and doesn’t have long to live. As they approached the woman, the woman in the stands broke down in tears. She has been trying to get her son back to church and didn’t think her son believed any longer. Her son knew the importance of prayer that it would help comfort his mom, and God knew her son’s request for prayer would relieve her burden.
These are the moments in our travels that we see God working in many lives. How a prayer can bring comfort in someone’s life in just a few moments. Don’t hesitate to go to God in prayer, God is listening. Let God bless your day!
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support and donations helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.
