Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
“Prayer is often considered a weakness, a support system, which is used when we can no longer help ourselves. But this is only true when the God of our prayers is created in our own image and adapted to our own needs and concerns. When, however, prayer makes us reach out to God, not on our own but on his terms, then prayer pulls us away from self-preoccupations, encourages us to leave familiar ground, and challenges us to enter into a new world which cannot be contained within the narrow boundaries of our mind or heart. Prayer, therefore is a great adventure because the God with whom we enter into a new relationship is greater than we are and defies all our calculations and predictions. The movement from illusion to prayer is hard to make since it leads us from false certainties to true uncertainties, from an easy support system to a risky surrender, and from the many “safe” gods to the God whose love has no limits.”
Henri J. M. Nouwen in The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life, compiled and edited by Wendy Wilson Greer (New York: Crossroad, 1999) 33-34.
My North Dakota hunting trip in November tied with my Wisconsin fly fishing trip in June as my top two outdoor adventures this year.
And my travels to many countries offer adventures filled with everything from abundant fruits and faith-stretching moments to real danger and miraculous deliverance.
But since my shift to Founder, I find prayer that I pray more than ever.
George Berlin in my Tuesday morning Bible Study gave me this book yesterday. I started reading immediately and this statement stuck out to me. The life if prayer is a great adventure.
Read this last part again.
“Prayer, therefore is a great adventure because the God with whom we enter into a new relationship is greater than we are and defies all our calculations and predictions. The movement from illusion to prayer is hard to make since it leads us from false certainties to true uncertainties, from an easy support system to a risky surrender, and from the many “safe” gods to the God whose love has no limits.”
The generosity that comes into view links to the invitation to intimacy with the God whose love has no limits. He leads me to true uncertainties and risky surrender.
While most opt for easy support systems and safe living, I give thanks today for the generosity of God who offers peace that transcends all understanding when we surrender everything to Him.
Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.