God, it’s me, Elijah, again

Posted by Alan Knox on Mar 25, 2011 in discipleship | 2 comments

For the backdrop of this story, you may want to read 1 Kings 17:1-7. This is how that story would have gone if I were praying….

Hello God,

It’s me, Elijah, again. I may as well admit it; you know already. I’m frustrated. Yes, I know that I prayed that it would stop raining, and it stopped. That’s really awesome, and I am grateful to you for answering my prayer.

And, yes, I heard you tell me to go to Cherith and hide, and so, here I am. But, God, I’m hungry and thirsty. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had anything to eat or drink? Yes, of course you do.

But every time I kneel down to pray, I barely get my eyes closed and these black birds start fluttering around me! I can’t concentrate! They’re so distracting!

Like I said, I’m frustrated. I’ve barely been able to pray for 10 minutes this morning. I’m not even close to getting my one hour of quiet time in. How am I supposed to pray for an hour when these birds keep bothering me.

And, as if the fluttering and cawing isn’t enough, they’re dropping things on me! Come on, God! Don’t you control everything, even these birds? Can you give me just a few more minutes of quiet time so I get on with my day?

Wow… God… that’s great! The birds are gone! Amazing! Thank you so much for answering my prayer.

Ugh… now I can hear that stream gurgling again. That brook is always flowing and bubbling and… do you know how many times I have to get up in the night to relieve myself because of that stream? Have you ever tried to sleep with the sound of running water always ringing in your ears?

Seriously, first the birds, and now this stream again. You answered my prayer about the birds, even though I asked out of frustration, do you think you can do something about the brook?

I mean, I would really like a few more minutes of quiet time with you. I wanted to tell you that I’m hungry and thirsty, and then trust that you would answer my request, but every time I started I would get distracted, first by the birds, and now by the brook.

So… oh… hey… the brook is drying up. No more sounds to distract me. Now, I can finally pray and know that you are hearing me!

So, God, I’m really hungry and thirsty. Do you think you send me something to eat and drink?

Thanks,

Elijah