Friday, September 14, 2012

Do you pray for a parking space?...

I'm not being either funny or sac-religious...


I'm remembering when my mother used to pray for a space to park when time was short and the lots were full. My greater remembrance is that she prayed about... everything! Parking places in her conversations with God were just part of the daily needs, so she went right to him. I have to say that very often, even while we 3 kids were chuckling at her, she GOT those parking places. She didn't look exactly like this cartoon, but she always said a quick 'thank you' to the Lord.




I find that I do the same thing. I don't usually ask for a parking place, (although sometimes I do that too) but I do pray about details, small details, and sometimes in detail!


God says we are to PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING...


My 'everything' takes place in the daily world around me, with family, friends, errands, business, etc. It's the same for all of us.


I'm thinking you probably do some of these things too...


For instance, whenever I pass a wreck, I pray for those inolved, first that they would know Jesus, and maybe this situation would draw them to him. I pray for their courage, comfort and protection for what might be ahead. I can barely hear sirens without lifting up whatever situation they may be headed toward.


I pray for my bank tellers after we've had a few friendly and often interesting exchanges. I have some of the neatest bank tellers in town! And the clerks, at Kroger, CVS and Wal Mart. They have become my buddies. One of my Wal Mart clerks goes to Tony Evans church in Oak Cliff, and she is quick to share words about Jesus, and smiles all day long. Each one has a set of their own needs and longings, and a quick prayer as I leave makes me happy, and might be the very thing they need.


I know I pray this way because I saw my mom and dad do it, all through my life. I pray this way because it's the way they prayed for me, in detail, and God heard each prayer. It's the way I pray for my own family, and you probably do too.


I pray this way since many times I don't know what else to do, and I DO know that each of those prayers matter, that God is hearing them, and perhaps in direct response, is already doing a shift, or changing a heart, or healing a body.


I'm not sure I can say that prayer is my genes, but it definitely runs in my family. When I googled my dad, Armin Gesswein, everything that came up had to do with prayer.


My parents lived by prayer, voiced prayers, both silent and verbal, trusted God for their prayers to be answered... and never got too far away from praying about everything.


Just this morning, I got THE best parking space at Kroger, the one I NEVER get, and since I never even thought of asking God for it, I'm sure that many times our needs and desires are supplied before we even ask or think them. If it matters to us, it matters to Him.


Parking places are not what I'm really talking about though.


What do you think "Pray about everything" means?


Is anything too big or too small?


(photo courtesy of Google)

28 comments:

Vee said...

Not at all. I love that your mother asked for favor from God and that she received it and that you do the same. There are perks with being a King's kid right here on this earth and not just in the Sweet By and By.

Farm Girl said...

This is a wonderful post Sonja, I needed to be reminded of it.
When I became a Christian, and the lady who was the teaching leader at BSF and I would sit and listen spell bound at the answers she would get to her prayers. As I would listen as she prayed about everything. So as I learned God's Word and listened to her to pray about everything, I started trying it. The first thing was I had a two year old and she had so many needs, like shoes and a winter coat. I sat down, wrote out a list of needs, I prayed about them and by the end of the week, every single need was answered and even somethings that weren't a need but more than a want.
It began to change me. I always still pray for parking spaces. :) He always answers me with nice parking places too.
I think that there is nothing to small to pray about, I think God wants us to bring every thing to him in prayer.
Even though, today I needed to be reminded, I just told my husband, my faith wasn't strong today that God has heard my prayers. So thank you, your words are as always perfectly timed.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh this blessed my socks off. I pray like this...I even prayed once that God would either save a professional ball player in our area or move him out..his influence was bad...what happened..God moved him.

Today I was so blessed when my daughter shared her and her fiance's prayer over her Dad and I...my heart was broken in gratitude!

Maybe some of my praying has been passed down...you encouraged me to continue and up my praying! Your parents did well.

manthano said...

I used to wonder how one could "Pray without ceasing."
This is it.

I am one who cannot pray for "hours".
But talking to the Lord all day long about each
problem or situation is easy.

Thanks for the post. So appreciated it.

NanaNor's said...

I loved this; my mom didn't pray about issues but I sure do-parking spaces, hair cuts and my hair gal, any detail that impacts my life. I've got grands that pray whenever they hear sirens. There is nothing we shouldn't take before the throne.
Hugs, Noreen

Debbie said...

Oh I loved this post. I found myself shaking my head YES when I read the title of your post, haha. Always and everywhere, for everything and everyone. I pray about everything. Not something my mom did we were growing up, but she is always saying it to me now...."pray about this Debbie" I hear all day long, haha. Wonderful post Sonja! Have a good week-end!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Pray about everything?

A running conversation with God with very few breaks for breathing?

I love that you googled your dad's name and "prayer" came up. Indeed, his prayers went up!

Have a beautiful weekend.

~elaine

joy said...

that should be a must for us christians and it is good to be reminded to pray without ceasing. Have a blessed prayer week end too!

Saleslady371 said...

Nothing is too small to ask of Him. I always think of how thrilled He is to be a part of everything I do each day. He helps me get my jewelry on, saves me in cooking, and don't get me started the way He helps me with techy stuff. He's my best friend and His Name is just a whisper away. It's all about relationship!

Big hugs,
Mary

Debbie Petras said...

You are living out a legacy of prayer! I can just see you talking with God all day long. Oh how I'd love to come along with you one of these days. We'd greet those bank tellers and grocery store clerks as we whisper our prayers for them. You always seem to hit on those every day important messages we can all use, including me Sonja.

Love you,
Debbie

Beth E. said...

Nothing is too big or too small for God! Lately, I find myself praying for God to help me find misplaced items - keys, glasses, keys, mail, keys...well, you get the idea! ;-)

Great post, Sonja!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh,what a blessing Sonja! I believe just as you do, nothing is too small or too big to take to HIM in prayer. What a source of comfort!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

GOOD MORNING SONJA!

Dearest, I saw your blog post the other day and got distracted and never commented.

This topic is so important to me and especially NOW. I have to admit that I am often embarrassed to pray about details in my life that are so small when the world is in such turmoil and even if my neighbor is going through so much pain. While I can pray for those things, I have such a hard time giving my small concerns to God. BUT THIS WEEK I sure gave Him an earful!!!! I am old enough to know yet too young yet to really grasp what it means to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING....

And thank you for coming to visit; you are SPARKLING with the LOVE OF GOD at all times! BLESSINGS, Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

And your wise muses today have helped me understand my dear...that perhaps I SHOULD PRAY for those details in my life that are consuming me with so much concern. It could be that God has a huge lesson for me in the small details of praying for the slightest thing...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORTIVE words! Have a peaceful day! Anita

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love this....know why???? I pray for parking spaces. Yep...and it works. It really does. Sometimes I think if someone other than my girls hear me...they'd think I'm totally nuts but I need Him in everything. It's the only way I know to live. I love your blog...and your sharing.

BARBIE said...

Oh yes, I do pray for parking. I pray specifically, that God would grant me "Princess Parking", because I am, after all, a princess and my Father is the King. Do I always get it? No, but most often I do.

Crown of Beauty said...

Yes, I pray for parking spaces, I pray for not too crowded trains, I pray for kind and polite taxi drivers... among other things. There are too many concerns in a day that indeed, I cannot afford not to pray. If I didn't lift up my concerns to the Lord, I would end up carrying them all on my shoulders, and that's quite a heavy burden, something I was never designed to carry!

I love this post, dear Sonja. It doesn't mean I'm good at praying. THere are many times when it is a struggle... because I want to go beyond praying for the small things. There are huge assignments that God is giving to His watchmen. Oh, my desire is to always be at my post - manning the gates of prayer, not only for my personal needs, but even more so, for the purposes of His kingdom. Thank you for this beautiful post - a timely reminder.

Love
Lidia

Debbie said...

I'm a pray-er who might not "sweat" the small stuff but trusts God for the small stuff. I have long believed that because we made the lifestyle choice to live on a single income and therefore have less financial "security", it has made me far better at trusting God for every little thing than I would otherwise be.

I do the same at the sight of a wreck as you. I'm moved to pray at the sound of a siren and at the sight of a funeral procession as well.

I'm not all that I ought to be in this area, but I have a heart to be more that He wants me to be.

Just a little something from Judy said...

I think the people that you come in contact with on a daily basis say the same kind things about you as you do about them. I like your simple, yet powerful communication with God on a moment by moment basis. I find great peace in that and I know you do too. That communication carries me through so many daily happenings in life. When I forget to pray(as I often do), God quietly reminds me of His pressence. What a God we serve! Thank you for inspiring my heart today. You radiate God's love here.

Felisol said...

Dear Sonja,
Of course I pray for parking spaces. I also pray for help in major and minor. I was in a hurry and prayed, "Oh, please help me find this particular necklace, Jes..". I hadn't finished praying, and the necklace was under my fingers. I have wore this for some months now. It helps me remember that Jesus is there all the time, even when I stand helpless faced with circumstances which aren't that easily answered. God's immediate answer to my "small" prayers help me cling on to him, even when I can not momentarily see his way or his will.

Kathleen said...

In so many ways I include God in the small details of my life (except when I forget to), so it shouldn't have surprised me when He found me the perfect dress for a business event. It's kind of a long story, but I had been quite clear about what I wanted AND how much I could afford. They were at opposite ends of the spectrum. But ... not only did I get the dress I wanted, it's cost about half of what I'd budgeted. I cried the entire time I was paying for it. The clerk thought me daffy, but God - I'm sure - was laughing.

Unknown said...

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Unknown said...

Yes, You are at right. I do pray like you do for everything, for anything. I loved the way you illustrated this. Amazingly written and with a true spirit.
"If it matters to us, it matters to Him." Keep sharing good things and yes,Parking space matters!! Gatwick Valet Parking

Suzan Baker said...

yes i do pray whenever i have to make a car parks, in fact, pray that rest of the things may go well on my way as well. thanks for such a nice post.Meet and Greet Heathrow

Unknown said...

I always do pray for my big and little wishes/dreams. Before going out or drive a car, i always used to pray that may i reach there safely and hoped that purpose would be accomplished for which i had to go. For car parking security always trust on Cheap Gatwick parking

carlagrace said...

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