"J.D." at age 15
"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:8
I wasn't quite sure whether my particular prayer met the scriptural criteria for "all occasions." There didn't seem to be any fine print attached to the verse. Still, I wasn't sure. My 17 year old poodle was dying. Age had taken its toll, burdening him with a heart murmur, blindness, kidney failure and arthritis. Mindful of the scripture--but still not quite sure--I prayed. I just couldn't face having to put him to sleep. Even as I uttered the words, I searched for the fine print. Really, God? Do you really mean _all_ prayers and requests?
The day before we were scheduled to make our final car ride together, my heart sank. God had not intervened. The universe was too complicated, apparently, to waste time on one 17 year old toy poodle.
I was wrong. Upon my return home from work that day, I picked up my faithful companion and as he laid his head on my shoulder, he breathed his last. God had answered my silly, selfish and inane prayer.
I can't say that I understand why God answered my prayer, or why He doesn't answer my requests for healing, world peace or an end to poverty. Still, I know He hears, I know He listens and I know He answers poodle prayers.
I wasn't quite sure whether my particular prayer met the scriptural criteria for "all occasions." There didn't seem to be any fine print attached to the verse. Still, I wasn't sure. My 17 year old poodle was dying. Age had taken its toll, burdening him with a heart murmur, blindness, kidney failure and arthritis. Mindful of the scripture--but still not quite sure--I prayed. I just couldn't face having to put him to sleep. Even as I uttered the words, I searched for the fine print. Really, God? Do you really mean _all_ prayers and requests?
The day before we were scheduled to make our final car ride together, my heart sank. God had not intervened. The universe was too complicated, apparently, to waste time on one 17 year old toy poodle.
I was wrong. Upon my return home from work that day, I picked up my faithful companion and as he laid his head on my shoulder, he breathed his last. God had answered my silly, selfish and inane prayer.
I can't say that I understand why God answered my prayer, or why He doesn't answer my requests for healing, world peace or an end to poverty. Still, I know He hears, I know He listens and I know He answers poodle prayers.
