16,425 Prayers & Still Learning

I’ve been a follower of Christ since the age of 7. My share of mistakes and failures would certainly balance my successes. But despite me and my flesh, I have called myself a Christian since then.

I give my credentials only because it bares witness (how’s that for some Christian-ese?) with what I’m going to say. I have prayed A LOT. I mean in the last several decades (never mind how many), I have talked to the Lord over lots of stuff. Real stuff. Stuff that makes your head swim. Stuff that pertained to that day, in that situation, and nothing more. Stuff that affected the world, ie: elections, natural disasters, wars and missionaries. To be honest there’s been some dumb stuff. ( I won’t give an example, in case you prayed some of those things this morning. =-) Yes, I figure I have prayed at least 16,425 prayers. That’s praying one prayer a day since the age of 7. (Okay, homeschoolers, there’s your extra credit algebra problem for the day. X = my age).

We all know there must have been a day or two that I chased butterflies and giggled with friends and didn’t have a care in the world to pray about; but most of those 16,425 days I had more than one reason to cause me to stop and talk to God. Multiple times a day.

So I must be an expert, right. HA! No such thing. Jesus was the only expert I remember telling others to “Pray like this…”

Praying in all circumstances

But today’s “crumb” reminds me that prayer is necessary in all circumstances. I was struck by a passage in Numbers that reminded me that Moses was a man of prayer. Moses has the awesome reputation of THE one who talked to God face to face. He was the one who went up the burning Mt. Sinai to talk to God and even more awesome, listen to Him. Moses was a man of prayer.

God led him and the children of Israel in such an intimate way that they knew when to camp and when to break camp. His presence would be a cloud by day and fire by night. If the cloud stayed put, so would they. When the cloud would lift, then they would pack up the tents and the tabernacle and follow. But here’s the verse that stopped me:

"And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, 'Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered!  Let them flee before You!'  And when the Ark was set down, he would say, 'Return, O Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel.'"  Numbers 10:35,36

Okay, so here is the guy who is completely following the plan of God and leading several million behind him. He knows with all certainty that he is doing the right thing at the right time and he still prays. He takes nothing for granted. He calls on the God that holds victory in His hands. He calls for God to arise, when he has already seen the cloud lifted. He curses the darkness and the enemies of God. And he says this every time the Ark is picked up to travel!

Then when the journey is over, the cloud has settled over them again, and the Ark of the Covenant is set down, he calls for God to come be with them. This says to me that Moses didn’t want to spend a day without God’s help. There were never “chasing butterflies” days for Moses when he didn’t recognize his great need for God.

Prayers in Battle

What about you? Is there wilderness ahead? Maybe there are some enemies on the way? Don’t take a step without Him. Call on Him to arise and go with you. Are you confident that the way you are taking is God’s perfect plan? Many times we’re not sure. Even in confidence and with signs in the sky, call on Him. Pray for His presence to lead you, guide you, and protect you from that enemy, we call satan. Invite God into your journey.

Moses fought several battles to see the Promised Land. We always think of the warrior leader, Joshua fighting to receive what was promised, but Moses fought too. So when Moses prays, “let your enemies be scattered!”, he has first hand knowledge of the bloodiness of war and the victory of seeing your enemies run away. This wasn’t just the latest Hillsong worship tune, for him.

Prayers in Peace

It wasn’t all times of battle. There were times when the cloud stayed, the Ark rested, and some refreshing took place. Look at Moses. Before he takes a day off to stroll the camp and eat the latest manna craze, he prays and asks the Lord to return to them and be with them. How sweet that must sound to the Lord to be invited. I think I take Him for granted too often. He says He will never leave or forsake us and I just go with it. That’s Him. But how wonderful that Moses would welcome God and ask Him to stay. Every time.

When my son was growing up, we often had a house full of boys. It was my house and of course I had all rights to enter any room, at any time. They always knew I would be here if they needed me… or not. I enjoyed hearing their banter, watching them wrestle, talk some trash, and eat every single snack I didn’t hide properly. (When I’m dead and they are cleaning out my house, someone is going to find a 50 year old jar of cheez whiz hidden in some old jacket pocket in my closet.). I loved watching their lives, their struggles, their successes, right there from my kitchen sink. But what joy when I was invited to join them!

They would be sitting around the table discussing the most important issues of the day. Okay, it was pretty much girls. I would walk through the kitchen or down the hall past the bedroom and sometimes (rarely) get invited in. This is the moment where the angels sing. In the occupation of motherhood, all the refused suppers, poopy diapers, and messy rooms become worth it. “Mom, come here.”

Oh, the sweetness of being wanted. Sure, we have a great relationship. I knew Zach loved me. I knew he still needed me. For the most part, he was obedient. It’s not about that. It’s about, “Mom, I’m not going any further until you come in and listen to this.” I’m sitting here smiling just thinking about it.

I want to be that child. “O Lord, get up! It’s time for work. Come go with me and fight my battles. The devil runs when you’re around!”

Days end. “Come sit with me, Lord. Let’s enjoy the setting sun. I’ve got so much to tell you….”