A story is told of a parent-child summer camp, one task being the father and child going for a walk together through the woods. However there was a caveat: the children were to be blind folded and be guided by their fathers. They were given the opportunity to ask for guidance at any point in time using specific words “Dad, are you there?”.
However, the father’s were given a different set of instructions: in the first ten minutes, they were to lead by placing a hand on their child’s shoulder, in the second leg, they were to direct only with their voice. And finally, to stay close but say nothing until their children asked for help.
The father’s were surprised at the state of helplessness that ensued in the final stretch as their children veered off the planned paths wandering aimlessly. Nearly all the children had forgotten the statement to use in soliciting for help so although this was heartbreaking for the father’s to watch, they could not intervene.
Why the long story? Moses today tells Israel in Deuteronomy 4:7″For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? The key being: ” When we call upon Him”
Sometimes, we forget that God is near, we forget that He is resident in our vessel. We subsequently seem to forget to make petitions in prayer. However, that is one assignment of prayer – to present a legal channel through which our requests can be presented to God. There are many moments when God is right there with us but we don’t invite him into situations. Instead of prayer, we raise altars of murmuring and complaints.
Many of the heavenly resources and responses deployed remain on standby until believers learn to replace complaints and murmurings with prayer.
#sly
Your Daily Dose 
Leave a comment