A Direct Answer to Prayer!

 Sometimes, we pray to God for direction, and it  helps, as we try to make a decision. He always answers our prayers. It may not be what or when or how we expected. There are various means that He uses to send us a message (through other people, a dream, impromptu thoughts, an event/experience that we're involved in or just witnessed with our eyes or ears, something that we read, even something that we catch ourselves saying, etc.). Many times, it's not so direct - it may need to be interpreted or, at least, meditated upon. Years ago, it was very direct to me, so, I'd like to share it.

 

I was on the "Board of Elders" at my church before (it's been about 6 years). In case you're not aware of the purpose of being on this Board, there are 2 primary areas of concern for its members - (1) anything that may effect the Worship Service, and, (2) Congregation Members who haven't attended for at least 3 months and may need a spiritual uplift via a visit from an Elder. I remember that when I was asked the first time (about 8 years ago), I thought I was too young to be an Elder. Well, I was a little more seasoned then.

 

I was asked again to consider being an Elder. Actually, I received a certificate that was a "Call to Service" from this Board and our Pastor. Though I had served on this Board before, and, though I will always be grateful to our Pastor and my church (St. Johns Lutheran) for previously serving as the vessel to change my faith to center on a close and personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, this decision still needed careful consideration before answering. So, I prayed about it for days. Then, on the following Sunday, when I wanted to give an answer, I prayed even more intensely about this.

 

Every morning, I read the "1 Year Bible". It's been the most significant and wonderful part of my new life in Christ. It's segmented into 4 sections for each day: (1) Old Testament reading (with the Law, which tells me I'm a sinner and deserve eternal punishment),  (2) New Testament reading (with the Gospel, which tells me that, even though I don't deserve it, Jesus paid the price for me and everyone to receive eternal glory), (3) passages from Psalms (beautiful praises and prayers), and (4) passages from Proverbs (pure wisdom to live by).

In the past, I knew that I received unexpected answers to prayers through these daily readings, but, not as direct as upon this day when I was intensely praying for direction from God on how to answer this "Call to Service". Also, keep in mind that Elders are no better than anyone else, though, like many other church volunteers, they realize they are role models and need to behave and be as such.

 

Right after I was concentrating upon this prayer, I read the following passages from 1 Timothy 4:11-16(NIV):

 

Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given to you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands upon you.

 

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

 

Sometimes, God answers directly, in a timely manner and without any question! Shortly after this, I gave His answer to my Pastor and this Board.

 

I wanted to share this, not because I wanted to boast of this, but, to remind us all that God indeed always answers prayer, sometimes very directly. In order to receive His answer, we may need to listen more, and, I recommend reading His Word as an awesome way to do so!