Specificity

I tend to think that answers to prayers are amorphous—you have to think bigger than your dreams, see the answers in the larger generalities and know that it’s all good. “For my highest good” is the caveat I add to most prayers, then I relax into the knowing that all is well.

Sometimes, though, the answer is as specific as the prayer, and when that happens, it gives me a moment of Wow! That’s what’s going on in my life right now, and I am amazed. “Yeah”, I told God, “like that.” And God answered with “Why like that? Why not that?”

Oh, good gosh, yes! In this moment, all is not just well, all is spectacular! 

The lesson for me is to be very clear when I pray. I am specific when I express my gratitude, so it seems like a natural progression to making requests, within the parameters of that which never harms but serves to lift all involved. 

When I was a child, I prayed for mile-long hair and a horse. I pictured my Rapunzel-like locks flowing in the wind as I raced along mountain passes on my galloping pony. As I grew up, I let my hair grow to waist-length (infinitely easier to handle than mile-long hair), and I found that I was a little bit scared of horses. I mean, they’re really big in real life! 

As I grew up, my prayer life didn’t keep pace—I still begged like a little girl. When I sensed that I was getting a “no”, I reasoned that I hadn’t really been heard, and I did what I wanted. As I matured, my prayers turned outward as I prayed for the safety of my children and the happiness of others. I prayed for reasonable things, like a moment of peace for myself and for someone unknown in far-away places experiencing the unspeakable. I prayed for those I knew who were going through difficulties. More and more, my prayers became more “thanks” than “please”.

I’m learning all the time, thank goodness. I mean, mile-long hair? Please! I don’t understand the hows of the process, but I’m learning that specifics are perfectly acceptable. The answer may well be “no”, and if so, I want to have the trust to be at peace with the answer. 

But sometimes the answer is “Yes!” This, or something better for my highest good and the highest good of others.

Today, I’m grateful for specific answers to specific prayers. Amen!