Sometimes we pray with eyes open
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”
(I Thessalonians 5:16-17 NKJV)
The other evening, my grand-girls accompanied me and my daughter on a special delivery.
Several days prior, our church small group, as well as a gaggle of giggling, joy-filled girls from an area orphanage, packaged twenty-five beautiful shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.
Because our grands go back and forth between their mom and their dad (our oldest son), they weren’t with us on this beautiful evening, so we decided to have them in on the delivery.
As I popped the trunk of my car, Lila Grace and Emory Wren ooo-ed and ahhh-ed, seeing the stacks of boxes—colorful doodads of this and that showing through the plastic ones.
Before we unloaded, I explained to them--
“These gifts are going to boys and girls all around the world, to children who might not otherwise have presents this Christmas. They might even go all the way to Uganda, Africa, to our friends at the Yahweh Faith Foundation!"
“Wow!” 4-year-old Lila's mouth gaped open. "But why might some not get presents?"
“Well, because many kids don’t have the things you and your sisters have. Sometimes they don’t even have enough food,” to which the girls’ eyes widened.
“So, before we take these in, let’s pray over them. We can ask God to get each box to just the right child, even if we never know who that is.”
Both Littles nodded their approval, though neither closed their eyes as I prayed--
“Dear Jesus, please bless each shoebox. May Your sweet Spirit fill each one. When the lids are removed, please pour forth onto every child and family, no matter where they live. And may each little boy and girl come to know You, Jesus—the true Reason for the season.”
I paused, then asked--
“And what do we say?”
In unison, “Amen!”
And though neither girl closed her eyes during my prayer, they prayed just the same.
Know why?
Because their young hearts were happy as they listened to my words.
And our praise is also a prayer.
I Thessalonians 5:16-17 says--
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (NKJV).
And again… AMEN!
May it be so!
Sometimes we pray with eyes open.
Do you?
***
Praying with all thanksgiving in our hearts for our Ugandan friends and YFF.
And thank you so much for your prayers for us.
We love you!
