Get With The Plan

Image by ErikaWittlieb from Pixabay 

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

“This is the way, walk in it,”Isaiah 30:21

 In writing this series of blog posts on Oregon counties, I’ve had to do some historical research. In looking at some counties, particularly those with which I have little personal experience or knowledge, I am sometimes at a loss to suggest a prayer focus. What is really going on behind the scenes? Most importantly, what are the spiritual roots of poverty, or corruption or a high crime rate in certain areas? 

While it is always good to pray general prayers, asking the Lord to bless a certain city, to reveal truth, to encourage honest, faithful folks and prosper those who are seeking to earn a living for their families, sometimes we have to dig deeper, not just in research but in prayer. 

This is where we hone our skill in hearing God’s directions, and following His plan.

Image by MikesPhotos from Pixabay 

I don’t mean we seek to hear an audible voice, I only mean we pay attention and discern how the Lord is leading via his Word, a sermon, or even a casual comment or event. There are numerous books available on hearing God’s voice and being led by the Spirit. For a deeper study consider starting here.

One thing I think you can count on in seeking to follow God’s leading, in life or in prayer, is that it will never be quite what you thought it would be. Most of God’s directions are counter-intuitive: the prophet Elisha told Naaman to go dip in the Jordan River seven times for God to heal his leprosy. (II Kings 5) Naaman was not impressed…until he did it. God’s plan for the children of Israel to defeat Jericho was for them to march around it seven days, then blow a ram’s horn. (Joshua 6) Uh-huh. Bet there were some in the crowd thought that would never work. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6

But He sees what we don’t, and if He directs us to something counter-intuitive, the best bet is to step out by faith. Otherwise, we are left to our own wisdom and knowledge, which admittedly is limited. Most of us have come up against countless situations where we just did not have an answer and even looking on the interwebs doesn’t yield the wisdom we need. We need supernatural wisdom, we need the secret things revealed. 

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

So…we need to not only pray for our state, but we need to pray about how to pray for our state. Pray, listen for directions and the Lord will guide you…and probably surprise you.

Margaret