Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

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Read

Exodus 3:16-17 (NRSV)

Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. I declare that I will bring you up out of the misery of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.’

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Reflect

I find that my prayers are much more fervent when I want God to take away some pain that I or someone I love is feeling. “God, please make him better.” “God, please protect her.” “God, take away his pain.” The unspoken ending to each of these prayers is always…”and do it now, please.”

I’m sure the Hebrew slaves felt the same way when they cried out to God for help. God told Moses, “I have watched over my people and have seen their sufferings in Egypt. I promised to bring them up out of their misery in Egypt to a good land, one flowing with milk and honey.” God promised to help the Israelites, but in God’s own time. Just because we don’t get an answer right away doesn’t mean God is unaware of our suffering or hearing our prayers.

I guess I should begin to add to my prayers. “Dear God, answer my prayer…in your time.”

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Pray

Dear God, help us to acknowledge that you alone hold the plan for our lives. Help us to understand that you hear each and every one of our prayers. Give us the patience and understanding to allow you to answer them…in your time, not ours. Amen.

Go with God.