Let me tell you what happened to me today... For a few weeks now (actually longer than that) I have been asking God questions - mainly the same one over and over again and waiting for Him to answer. During my waiting period, I discussed the matter with others whenever the opportunity presented itself. I didn't go around asking people how they thought they would handle the situation but whenever they mentioned it - I talked, talked, talked and then talked some more about it. It got to the point where I didn't have a problem but the problem had me. I know I should have just left the matter between me and God but I didn't. 

Anyway, today I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired and said to God that I needed to Hear Him clearly and if I didn't hear from Him I had no clue what I would do. I started not to go to service like I do every Tuesday afternoon just because I had so much on my mind and knew today was the 2nd of 3 weeks of prayer. I didn't want to be called on to pray like I always am (I know that's not right...). I just wanted to hear a word from the Lord. Anyway, I reasoned that if the minister asked if anyone wanted special prayer that I would get some. Afterall, I felt myself beginning to grow week.

They hardly ever call for special prayerduring this particular service although there is always someone there to pray for you before and after service if you need it.. But thank God the offer was extended today. I got into the prayer line reasoning within myself that I wouldn't be specific about my request. When my turn approached in the line the minister stopped, anointed my head with oil, stared at me and said that she heard the voice of God told her to tell me to obey Him and not man. She said that God told her to tell me to listen to Him and His voice.

I just laughed to myself because I have been asking Him all week to let me hear "His  undeniable voice". I expected God to speak to me on my terms. I wanted Him to litterally blot it out and make it crystal clear to me what His will was concerning the matter. Not only did I want Him to do this but I also wanted Him to do it exactly as He always had. Thank God it's not about my will but His will. He knows what's best.

When God had to show me once again that He is not Burger King and I can't always have it my way right away, I became disappoined and felt that God was stringing me alone holding the answers and making me wait. Then once again, He checked me. He had me to recall the the bible story in 1 Kings 19:11-13 where Elijah was on the run going through a tough time and waiting to hear from God. He was looking for God in earthquakes, mountains and winds but when God finally did come it was in a still, small voice. I too thought that because my problem seemed so big that I needed God to do something big but the smallest Word from the Lord is bigger than any problem.

The preacher's statement caused me to sit back, think how many times has God clearly spoken to me and I missed it because I was looking for thunder and lighting.... deep isn't it?

“I need to get up in your business so that I will know what to pray about”. This was one of the most disturbing statements I’ve ever heard a minister of the gospel stand up and make before a congregation (and I’ve heard my share of disturbing comments in church). Needless to say, didn’t share my prayer requests with him but instead I began to pray for him and those that believed what he said to be true. During the following service, this minister preached about some of the things he learned when the members shared their prayer request. Through this and experiences like it, I’ve come to learn the hard way that you can’t share everything with every body – not even your minister. There are some things that we have to go to God directly about for ourselves.

As Christians we are able enter into the presence of God and commune with Him on our own behalf (Hebrews 10:19-22) . Although it is a blessing to have other Christians willing to pray for us and with us, we must remember to pray for ourselves. In the Old Testament, we needed someone to offer sacrifices go to God on our behalf but now we have free access to boldly approach God because we are cleansed through the blood Jesus shed for us. Not only are we able to go to God whenever and wherever we want to, but the Holy Spirit is constantly praying on our behalf for all of our needs even ­­– those that we don’t even realize that we have (Romans 8:26) . Unfortunately, many Christians forget this when a problem arises. At times of weakness they turn to man instead of God for direction. God does not want us to rely on our own reasoning or the reasoning of others. He wants us to seek Him first in everything and He will give us instruction (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Perhaps the problem is that we don’t want to wait for instruction. We live in an era where everything is instant. We have computers everywhere and I believe that we sometimes forget that God is not a computer. We think we can input the problem and within seconds, He will output the solution. Sometimes God will answer us immediately. Other times God wants us to be still and know that He is God. Sometimes God wants us to go through some tests so that He can bring us out with a testimony that he may be glorified. When we don’t get instant answers, some of us have a tendency of thinking that maybe someone else can pray a prayer or get their prayer through more quickly so we end up petitioning everyone else to petition God on our behalf when all we needed to do was ask in faith and wait on God in the first place. Then after we share everything with everyone, we’re hurt when people mask their nosiness as concern and delve into our personal lives. That’s what happened in the congregation after the minister told the people that he needed to get in their business so that he would know what to pray about instead of praying that God’s will would be done or praying as he was led by the Spirit of God.

Some people believe that because a man or woman of God may have a title or stand in a certain office in the church that God will answer their prayers more quickly than their own. In turn, they end up feeding people (like the minister I mentioned earlier) some of their inner-most problems and concerns. Some Christians cannot resist the temptation to share information that you may consider to be sacred. God is no respecter of persons. It doesn’t matter if you are a bishop or a lay member – you can go to God for yourself.

Now, I’m not saying that there is something wrong with having prayer partners or prayer groups. Nor do I believe that all ministers are like the minister that obviously just wanted to know what was going on so that he would have a timely sermon topic. But beware, watch as well as pray because there are people like this out there. Jesus said that we are to pray one for another. He also said that when two or three gathers in His name that He is in the midst (Matthew 18:20). However, if upon evaluation of the time you spend in prayer you realize that the majority the time you spend praying is with a prayer partner or in corporate prayer, please consider spending some one on one time with the Lord where you are unrestricted and can freely talk to Him. Remember prayer is two-way communication with God. He will listen to you but He wants to speak to you as well.

How do you feel about publicly stating your prayer concerns publically? Do you “tell all” or are you like me and keep it real simple with statements like “pray my strength in the Lord” to avoid disclosing personal information? Have you ever had you prayer concern spread throughout your fellowship? Let me know. I’d like to hear from you.

Shanita Waters

By His Stripes We Are Healed, Author

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