An Open Invitation

The room became quiet. It had been five hours since my dad was expected home and no one had heard from him. The phone rang and my heart instantly sank. Could this be happening again?

I quickly remembered the phone call I received from my dad the year before, telling me my mom had been in a car accident and was in the hospital. Her accident caused such severe brain trauma, she instantly died. All those same emotions crept in.

“Ring, ring. ”
There was only one way to find out…
“Hello? ” I answered.
“Hi, I’m calling regarding John Hemphill. He’s been admitted to the hospital…”

I fell to my knees. My fears were confirmed; my dad was in the emergency room. Without knowing the full status of his health, I knew I was about to relive the past.

My mind was racing. My thoughts progressed from a conversation with God to a cry for His supernatural peace and comfort. At that moment, I felt a warmth surrounding me. I felt secure and loved as a newborn feels when his mama puts him on her chest. I knew in that moment, my heavenly Father had heard me and cared enough to give me exactly what I needed in that moment.

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. ” Psalm 116:1-2

The Lord hears us. He hears every thought, every word spoken, and every cry. He’s just waiting for an invitation to step in. Prayer is that invitation.

I invited God the moment I went to my knees. It wasn’t pretty. I was sobbing, full of fear, and couldn’t say a full sentence without breaking down. God didn’t care. He just wanted me to go to Him.

Is God still waiting for an invitation from you? What areas in your life are you holding on to and haven’t invited God to fight for you? Are you waiting for a break through but haven’t made room for God?

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us- whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him” 1 John 5:16

If you want to see the power of God, pray. Give Him an open invitation to work in your favor, in all areas of your life. He wants to be there for you, giving you exactly what you need.

Sue Backlund