I have been reflecting on the last few months of the life of our ministry. Although the vision was clear in the early stages of Choose to Soar, much energy was spent “telling” God what we needed. And although we planned the work, worked the plan, and with purpose, we spent a lot of energy asking God why He wasn’t providing what we needed.
A few years ago, I stopped asking God for provision, open doors, etc. I kept the faith and kept showing up every day, but I started using more energy praying than planning. And the key to praying was I stopped asking God and started seeking God. Isn’t that what the disciples did in the book of Acts? Pentecost was not part of their plan. But they knew to pray and “seek” God as Jesus had told them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. “After ten days of constant seeking prayer, Pentecost happened.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of the violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
Do you pray more than you plan? That’s not a hard question—said no one ever. But don’t you love how they were all in prayer, and the Holy Spirit fills them, and yet the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words? Which means the Holy Spirit is interceding for you and me. This is empowering to me. Because there are times when I cannot express my hurt, anger, fear, or even my love for God, and yet, God listens, He hears my sighs, and The Holy Spirit makes that possible.
I am grateful for The Day of Pentecost! Can you imagine what would happen if we took ten days out of the month, or even the year, to fast and pray constantly?
May we all pray for a deep desire to pray more than we plan and trust God for the unplanned, unexpected blessings.
