Are you needing something from God?

Are you making the same request of God over and over?

Have you been asking God for something lately, and you remain in the waiting place?

I may never understand the waiting. Although I’ve recently learned we’re not called to be quiet or indifferent about it–but engaged and involved, arguably even aggressive. I used to think petition was synonymous with prayer, but scripture indicates otherwise:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Another translation is helpful:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

A dictionary definition of Petition can be illustrative:

PETITION:

a formal written request made to an official person or organized body (as a court)

But it’s a legal perspective that has most recently colored my pursuit of Christ.

From a legal perspective, a Petition usually includes a short and plain statement of a claim showing why a petitioner is entitled to relief.

And my prayer life has been revolutionized by this.

I get to make my case.

I get to call on the God who set this world in motion and continues to sustain it. I get to tell God why my request makes sense.  I get to participate in and influence earthly processes through prayer.

I get to thank God for working it out, maybe long before I see His work manifest, in an often different–and usually better–way than I imagined, let alone articulated.

I get to experience the unmatched peace of heart and mind that comes with making my case to a God who loves me more fiercely than I know; a God who designed me to walk closely with Him; a God whose purpose for my life centers on loving and interceding for others.

Are you waiting on God?

This waiting place is not a passive place.

Gird up your loins, dear friend.

Boldly make your case to a God who wants to hear from you.  Assuredly appeal to a God who invites you to engage in His creation. Confidently thank God in advance for hearing and responding to you. Accept the Peace of Christ, who fulfills your requests–or more often exceeds your small thinking–even if you have to wait or fail to ever see it.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT).

It’s a great day to be alive and sipping on that pumpkin spice latte, halfthesyrupandextrahotgeethanks.

Much love to you,

Paige