"I Asked God" shows us how to listen to God

Poems are great when you understand the person who wrote them. "I Asked God" by Claudia Minden Weisz is often shared on social media and has a stoic voice around what God gives and the desired response. He gives us a desire to pray for and wisdom to see how it's accomplished. This is akin to the still small voice of God. The phrase "still small voice" is a biblical reference that appears in 1 Kings 19:12: In the story of Elijah, God speaks to him in a still small voice after sending a wind, earthquake, and fire. The phrase is used to illustrate that God's work doesn't always need to be accompanied by dramatic manifestations.

• To give up prideful habits, rather God taking it away. (Romans 12:1-4)
• To see the spiritual reality in people, rather than the physical (2 Corinthians 4:16)
• To have patience is to go through tribulation with God (Psalm 46:10, Psalm 1:1-6)
• To have joyful happiness is receiving blessings of God (James 1:17)
• To separate from the world is painful but joy is in relationship with God (Hebrews 11)
• To grow spiritually we must receive nourishment, light, and pruning (John 15)
• To know God's love is to know and follow Jesus (Hebrews 12)
• To love others is God's desire for us (John 12:23-13:20)

We're starting the Prayer Course at MNTC next week. Christian prayer is a way for Christians to communicate with God and develop a personal relationship with him. It can be a form of worship, praise, or conversation. Christians pray for many reasons, including: 

• Expressing gratitude: Thanking God for blessings
• Asking for help: Requesting guidance, healing, or clarity
• Confessing sins: Asking for forgiveness
• Praying for others: Interceding on behalf of others
• Expressing thoughts and feelings: Sharing love, fears, and desires with God

Prayer is a central part of the Christian life, and Christians are encouraged to pray "continually". Some ways that Christians pray include: 

• Vocal prayer: Following the example of Christ, who taught the Our Father to his disciples 
• Meditation: A prayerful practice that involves thought, emotion, imagination, and desire 
• Contemplative prayer: A practice that involves the Holy Spirit and is compared to a kiss from God 
• Formal prayers: Pre-written prayers like The Lord's Prayer, which are often used in special ceremonies 
• Informal prayers: "Chatty" prayers that Christians often use 
• Arrow prayers: Quick prayers for specific situations 

"I Asked God" by Claudia Minden Weisz

I asked God to take away my pride (habit), And God said, “No.”

He said it was not for Him to take it away, But for me to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, And God said, “No.”

He said her spirit already is, While her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience, And God said, “No.”

He said patience is a by-product of tribulation; It isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness, And God said, “No.”

He said “I give blessings; Happiness is up to you.”

I asked God to spare me pain, And God said, “No.”

He said, “Suffering draws you apart from Worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow, And God said, “No.”

He said I must grow on my own, But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me, And God said, “Yes.”

He gave me His only Son, who died for me. And I will be in heaven someday.

I asked God to help me love others As much as He loves me,

And God said, “Ah, finally, you have the idea.”

• Lord help me give up Pride: (Psalm 10:4 (NLT) — The wicked are too proud to seek God. Psalm 75:4-7 (NLT) — 4 I warned the proud, 'Stop your boasting! Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) — Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 (NLT) — Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.