Welcome to Day 8 of “Why Pray?” – I am so glad we are on this journey together! If you haven’t had a chance to read Day 8 - “It Takes Two Feet to Walk” take a few minutes and do so now!
Now consider the scripture reading for the day – it seems appropriate in light of the reading.
Judges 7 “Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon ) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead. ‘” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.
The illustration from “Why Pray?” about walking with two feet (one being action/work – the other prayer) is priceless! I have spent plenty of time going in circles – one foot working really hard the other one (for me it is usually the prayer foot) not being exercised at all. I have spent so much energy in my life trying to “make things happen” whether it be in my job, family, marriage, finances, career, church and so much of it without a great deal of prayer. Some prayer – but many times “after the fact” prayer when I am already set and going with my “working to make it happen” foot going strong. I think God is going to use this “walking with two feet” illustration a great deal in my life! My hunch is the first step I need to take is prayer! Then – as I get better at prayer/listening to Him – I will know best how to put my “work” foot into action!
That kind of ties in with the “little boy flying the kite on a windless day” word picture. That little guy (btw I think his name is delton) is working oh so hard to keep that kite aloft. If I will step first with my “prayer” foot everyday – then I will know which way the wind is blowing. How the Spirit is working in my world. So I can fly my kite in His wind. That is some really good stuff to think about – really good!
It seems Gideon was in training like we are – learning how much can be accomplished with so little (300 dog lappers) when ever God is in charge of planning and strategy! That is an amazing story of learning to walk with God – two foot walking! Gideon was still involved and still did His part but God was calling the shots as Gideon talked and listened in prayer!
I have to admit – I believe the ramifications of this day’s reading in my life are going to be really profound. I want them to be – this is good stuff. I hope to spend the rest of the day contemplating what “two foot” walking and “wind filled kite flying” really look like in my life! I want to learn more and grow more – I really want to get better and better at this!
What do you think? How did you feel as you reading through Day 8? Did the illustrations grab you? How? Your thoughts would be helpful for me and everyone else who reads so I hope you will share?
Have an awesome day of “two foot” walking!
Before you close today’s “Why Pray?” experience I encourage you to pray for the families you listed yesterday. If you are just now hearing about this challenge the idea is to ask God to bring to mind about five families that really need His love, grace and peace. Write the names down and pray His love and blessing over them. Remember the “spotlight and sprinkler”! We get to watch what God does over the next several weeks in response to our prayers. How cool is that!