Dear God

One morning, in the midst of one of those "fervent prayers of the righteous that availeth much," my dear friend Allie paused and implored, "Don't let us limit you, God!" It was, indeed, a "pause" moment, one I've never forgotten.  An inimitable Prayer Warrior, Allie whom I had met the first Sunday in January 2000 after relocating to Central Florida, met me with  open arms and a  wide open heart.  She trusted God unconditionally and took Him seriously.  Her hallmark greeting, in the prayer circle or on a telephone call was "Wanna pray?"And could she pray? Yes, Lord,  she could pray! She worked tirelessly to increase the power of the ministry, individually and corporately, and she succeeded.  But she was never satisfied..  Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. Every time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray."

By the time of the prayer that day, half a dozen years later, I had come back to Denver from Orlando. 15 years earlier, I had left my adopted home, jobless but full of hope, after my daughters were safely tucked away in two Colorado universities.  No longer compelled by their schedules or proclivities (teenagers revel in them), I was free to follow my star and chart my course.  So I had moved lock, stock, and barrel to (Richmond) Virginia, then to (Aiken, "South Carolina), later to (Augusta) Georgia, back West to (Las Vegas) Nevada, and furthest South to (Orlando) Florida.  I loved Florida, with its daily summer afternoon showers and precious humidity, until Katrina chased me back to Denver. 

Our cell phones kept Allie and me in touch at least weekly, although if "the devil," as my mother identified him, got into any of our offspring, we might talk (translate, pray) two, three, or even four times a week.  Our cell phones became venues that transmitted those fervent prayers.  Because her faith, trust, and experience with God carried tensile strength, I deferred to Allie, to invoke God's presence.  Her memory was uncanny as she wove urgent needs, misgivings, and shortcomings in with previous  pleadings whose answers had not yet come forth.

Allie addressed Our Father as a loving daughter and steadfast Intercessor,  not just for us, the presumed aggrieved ones, but also on behalf of our children and grandchildren, whose behaviors and disobedience focused our payers.  She acknowledged our weaknesses and His infallibility: Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence.  The certitude of her prayers engendered hope in my tremulous trust and feckless faith.  Mos of the time, boldly approaching the Throne of Grace was difficult for me.  "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!"

Even today when a prayer comes prattling out of my mouth, Allie's voice resounds like a gong, "Lord, don't let us limit You!" Instead I pray, "Order my steps in Your Word, dear Lord.  Lead me, guide me very day.  Send your anointing Father, I pray.  Order my steps in Your Word, sweet Jesus; order my  steps in your Word."