Never Quit Praying
Recently I had a prayer answered that I have been praying about for ten years. This is a very big prayer, but also very personal, so I won’t share exactly what it is, but if I’m honest, it’s also a prayer I had begun to maybe doubt God a little on. Makes me feel kind of yucky inside to even say that, and I’m not proud of it, but honestly thats the truth. Going through this reminded me a few things.
1. God never got tired of hearing my prayers.
2. God was working on this situation whether I knew it or not.
3. God didn’t need me to make it happen, so thats why He didn’t tell me about it.
4. And last but not least, as Pastor Sergio De La Mora said when he as here recently, God isn’t just in the blessings of our lives, He’s in the messes too.
You would think as a pastor I wouldn’t ever give up on God, but when it’s all said and done, I’m just a guy living in a broken world trying his best to grow closer to Christ each day, just like everyone else. Sometimes that means God has to remind me once again, just exactly who He really is. Thank you God for the constant reminders. I’ll go out right now and replace that brick so the load won’t be shy any longer 
John
November 17, 2009 at 10:46 am
John this was so encouraging! although I know this, but never the less
needed to read this. Like the word says Iron sharpens iron, and mine
has just been. Your honesty spoke to my spirit. We are human and
sometimes seems like we fail God in one way or another, but I Praise
Him and so thankful to Him that HE knows our hearts better than even
ourselves, and knows that we love HIM and that only HE is perfect!
The important thing is that we reconize our faults and begin to improve.
Thank You Pastor John, I appreciate you, your articles, your honesty,
and your love for our GOD!
Yes we must pray, pray, and pray some more, never give up, cause
when we do, we give up on GOD and ourselves.
In His Grip,
Sylvia
November 17, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Thanks for writing this–needed it today…
November 18, 2009 at 2:09 am
I have to tell you, I’ve still a lot to learn about the depths of your leadership. However, your humility and transparency are the most significant traits so far that never cease to amaze me and stretch me. As you always tell us…”we appreciate you bro!”
November 30, 2009 at 12:19 pm
The purpose of a door being closed is for it to be opened in His Glory.
December 18, 2009 at 11:14 am
I really needed to hear this too. I’ve been praying for over a year for what seems like a hopeless situation. So many times I’d receive a “sign” that things would be better and then they’d fall apart again shortly afterwards. I just arrived at the point, today – as a matter of fact, that I should quit praying for this situation. Now I feel that I must not give up and I should continue to pray. Of course, I do pray that God’s will be done. It’s just so hard to let go of our human need to control things and to let God control things. I pray for that grace also.