A few years ago, my husband and I flew to New York to meet a pastor friend and his wife for a few days of ministry and sight-seeing. They planned to take us to the World Trade Center as soon as we landed, and we were definitely looking forward to this time together.
As we began driving toward the World Trade Center, my husband casually asked our host if he knew how to get there. “Oh yeah!” was his confident reply. So, we sat back and began enjoying the sights of New York City. We were not driving too long before we passed a baseball stadium, and our host pointed out, “There’s Shea Stadium.” We turned our heads and strained to catch a quick glimpse of the stadium as we continued driving.
Well, several minutes later, we drove past a baseball stadium. Again, our host stated, “There’s Shea Stadium!” This time, we got a better look and were able to comment on various features of the baseball stadium. We continued driving. Several more minutes later, we drove past…you guessed it: Shea Stadium! At this point, we knew we were lost in the maze of New York City, and our driver finally admitted he did not know the way!
After getting directions, we ended up at our destination and enjoyed a wonderful evening of fellowship and laughter!
Sometimes life sure feels like a maze, does it not? We often start out quite confident—positive that we can get from “start” to “finish” without being confused or disoriented. But, as our journey progresses, life takes turns that we were not expecting. A husband may lose his job, or a close friend or relative may be diagnosed with a terminal illness. We may just be lost in the day-to-day routines of life. Wherever you may find yourself in the maze of life, a few things are certain: we are all in the maze, and we all get disoriented from time to time!
So, how do we manage? How do we finish our course with joy as the Apostle Paul testified? We get through life’s maze the same way our pastor friend got to the World Trade Center—by asking for directions. And who knows the way through life like our Heavenly Father? He sees the maze from above—from a heavenly perspective! He longs to tell us when to turn, when to proceed, and how to maneuver through the confusion, trials, and routines of life. Here are some reasons why to pray through the maze:
Prayer increases faith. During my early years of married life, there were times when finances were very tight. We had to pray for even basic things, like food to eat the next week. I will admit there were several times I thought God was not going to answer my prayer—that God had dropped our family in the desert and left us to fend for ourselves. But God did provide. He provided everything from groceries for the week to a desk for the first day of school for our oldest daughter. I could not see how God would provide, and I sure did look, but God showed me again and again that He would answer my prayers.
Prayer releases burdens. Life is a difficult enough journey without carrying a load God never intented for us to carry. We all carry burdens whether we talk about them or not, and prayer is the opportunity to give them to God. God does not repeat what I tell Him, He does not judge what I say, and He always understands. The Bible says in Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” God is the only One that both always knows what we are going through and can do something about it.
Prayer reminds us of God’s nearness. No matter how lost we feel, God is always near. Even when you feel lost and alone, remember that God never left you. We can shy away from God, but Psalm 145:18 promises, “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” The question is not “How close is God?” The question is, “Will you reach out to Him?” Prayer pulls us closer to God.
Prayer provides power. There is power in prayer—not because of what we pray, but because God is powerful. Do not settle for a life lived in your own strength and self effort. Ask God for His power, depend on it for a fruitful Christian life, and give Him the glory as He works on your behalf. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
Prayer changes our lives. Usually our perspective in prayer is not that we need to change, but something or someone else needs to change. Sometimes our prayers are focused more on altering someone else than on allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us! Our prayer should always be, “Lord, I am standing in the need of prayer...change me.”
When it comes to life, we are all directionally challenged! Yet, God wants this “maze” to cause us to seek Him—to turn to Him in prayer, acknowledging that we need Him. Have you asked God for directions lately? Have you acknowledged His omniscience and claimed His power to guide and direct you? If not, do so today! Take some time to pray to your Heavenly Father. Ask Him where to go and what to do. And, most importantly, ask Him to help you be sensitive to His still small voice as He guides you along the way. The Bible says in Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
