Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
My chemist father taught his daughters about using the scientific method to learn. In other words, observing meticulously, looking for patterns in data collected, thinking carefully, and testing a hunch (hypothesis) by experimentation.
Around age 6, I did an experiment to determine which was more powerful: hot or cold. So I ran one cup of cold water from the faucet into one glass and one cup of hot water into another glass and tested the temperatures of the water in each glass with my fingers. Then I poured the water from both glasses into a third glass. I imagined hotness and coldness fighting it out to see which was more powerful. My father entered the kitchen and asked what was going on. Our conversation pointed out major flaws in my categories, measurement tool, experimental design, and some other points that I didn’t get. Learning about experiments earned my respect, and such efforts often prove worthwhile.
In adulthood, I tried a long-term experiment about the power of prayer. I wrote one prayer concern per page in a tablet and dated it. When something related to these requests occurred, it was recorded and dated on the appropriate page.
Observing needs, thoughtfully considering my prayers, keeping records, and looking for patterns increased my diligence in prayer. Here are ten points, in no particular order, that linger in my mind decades after this experiment in prayer.
- God listens to and answers prayers.
- God answers prayers that I would have forgotten about without the written reminders.
- God does good things in my relationships with others when I intentionally listen for prompts from the Holy Spirit about any action related to the request.
- God actually shows greater interest in my prayer requests than I do, by working out solutions while I am not paying enough attention to note relevant developments.
- God answers 'yes' more frequently when I temper my prayers after seeking God’s revealed will.
- God’s pure holiness puts a check on me when I attempt to manipulate, bargain with, or advise the Almighty.
- God’s striking sense of timing teaches that patience is worth waiting for.
- God deals with situations through gracious and delightful options that I could never have dreamed up myself.
- God’s tenderness over time sustains me when an answer to prayer brings sadness.
- God’s loving-kindness surprises, humbles, and elicits adoration and joy.
God bless you!
Rev. Ruth
