Joshua 10:13-14 The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!

Scientifically speaking, this is the biggest miracle in the whole Bible, because it is of literally astronomical proportions. I have read some reports of “an extra day in the scientific record,” but I take those with a huge grain of salt. I do know that the magnetic poles of the earth have swapped more than once, according to the geologic record, and also that the axis of rotation has shifted. I would personally conclude that this was such an event. The how of it remains a mystery, but it is certainly a reminder that God can do anything He likes. The why of it boggled the minds even of those who experienced it and recorded it. We are back to the mystery of prayer. Why would the omnipotent Creator of the universe listen to the voice of an individual human being? That is the mystery of God’s grace and love. We certainly can’t force God to do anything, but He tells us to ask, seek, and knock. (Matthew 7:7) When everything has repercussions that we can’t imagine, it is miraculous on the face of it that God would do anything on the basis of personal requests, but we know from experience as well as from the Bible that it indeed does happen. The only logical response is to press into God to line up with His will more and more fully, so that our prayers are indeed answered. I am convinced, again both from the Biblical record and from experience, that God desires fellowship with us His children; that’s why He created us. When we say “intimate” that immediately conjures up sexual overtones, but there’s nothing of that here. We were created for intimacy with God, and prayer is one of the best tastes of that we can get on this earth.

I was raised in a home where prayer was as natural as breathing, and for that I am deeply grateful. However, I have come to realize that prayer is not natural, it’s supernatural. I am not to look down on those who have difficulty with prayer, but rather come alongside them and encourage them. I give people the opportunity to hear me pray as an example, but when I have a gift for words, and as a pastor and teacher am a “professional speaker,” that can perhaps be more intimidating than encouraging. I need to seek and receive God’s wisdom in communicating the beauty and joy of prayer, so that everyone in my care may learn for themselves how much God loves them individually and wants them to grow close to Him.

Well, Father, I had wondered what You wanted me to speak on this Sunday! Thank You for making that clear, and for such a joyful topic to speak on. I ask for clear guidance as I prepare the notes so that it won’t be me talking down from an ivory tower, but rather relating to each person where they are, allowing Your Spirit to take my words and open the eyes of their hearts to all that You intend for them, for their great blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!