Part of the Ascension Day Scripture from Acts 11 contains this promise from Jesus;"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Then he was taken from their sight into the clouds, two angels appeared and instructed the probably bewildered disciples to go back to Jerusalem, where they began to wait and to pray for the gift Jesus had promised.
Prayer is a joy to some of us, and a chore to others, waiting likewise can be filled with anticipation or anxiety....So how do you wait and pray?
1. How do you pray best, alone or with others?
I prefer to pray with others. There is a special energy that is shared by the group when we all are in silent prayer concentrating on that which is greater than ourselves. The presence of the Holy Spirit is palpable in the room.
2. Do you enjoy the discipline of waiting, is it a time of anticipation or anxiety?
I find times of waiting an anxious time. I want things to be done ten minutes ago yesterday however I am aware that God's time is not the same as mine. I am currently in an "in-between" time in my life and am praying for patience and peace, please God send that swiftly!
3. Is there a time when you have waited upon God for a specific promise?
There are many times that I have waited upon God for a specific promise. The thing that keeps bouncing around in my mind is the verses "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. " John 15: 12-14. Now I have asked God for some things and God answered my prayer with a no. At the time I'd be frustrated and discouraged however as I get distance I realize that no was the best answer. However, I do ask God for peace in the world, an end to homelessness, justice and such and I know that is what God wants for the world and yet injustice still exists and at times seems to reign. That is where I struggle with this verse.
4. Do you prefer stillness or action?
It depends on my mood. I've prayed both in stillness and action and find them equally nourishing. However my best praying has happened in the garden with my hands a foot deep in the dirt. It feels like I am touching God as I am talking to God when I am working in the garden.
5. If ( and this is slightly tongue in cheek) you were promised one gift spiritual or otherwise what would you choose to receive?
I would love to speak and understand other languages as the apostle Paul says, "to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." 1 Cor 12: 10b. I enjoy talking to people and this would increase my pool of conversation partners!
