Prayer is Actually a Good Option

Who knew that NERF guns were so much fun to play with? Who knew that I'd still love the crackle and the spectacle of fireworks on the fourth of July? Who knew that my memory of the movie "Hancock" would be the laughter, the giggles, the "oohs," the hand covering the mouth, the hair flips to cover her face, and the gasps for air between funny scenes. Who knew that a game of spoons, or in our case a game of butter knives (we didn't have enough spoons) would be worth staying up to nearly midnight?

I certainly was unaware that any of it would conspire when I was invited to dine and to hang out with some really good friends of mine on the fourth of July. As much fun as I had that day, I couldn't help but think of those that I know who are serving our country in the armed forces. Prayer was all I knew to offer when I heard of my friend's spouses and their loved ones being on deployment in Iraq and neighboring countries. I find it ironic that we often say, Christians that is - that all I knew to do was pray. Sometimes we make it sound like prayer isn't a viable or valuable option, that it's our last resort, that it's the only thing that we can do when we cannot do anything else. When I really think about it, prayer should be our very first option, and I cannot think of any greater an option when life's obstacles surround you when you're unable to overcome them alone. I know that that is a drink that I've tasted, and I'm sure that it's one that I will have again.

Prayer is so valuable that Christ taught his followers how to pray and even prayed himself. I find myself in the position now where all I want to do is to pray. I guess that's why I was so proud of a friend who I've come to love as my brother when he gathered all his guests in a circle and asked if we'd all pray for each other. Wow. I was shocked, surprised, duped, and excited at the same time. The last time I saw leadership in that sense, with him, was when he was telling kids how to properly kick an opponent when he was teaching his martial arts class. I wish now that I'd been completely forthcoming when he asked if I had any prayer requests. Sometimes pride comes before the fall, as the bible says, or enables the possibility of failure because it won't let you admit that you need help or that you are in need. I should have told him that I needed him and his family to pray for me, I guess tomorrow I'll take the time to do just that.