And there by the Ahava Canal, I [Ezra] gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we travelled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.” So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23
I'm sure you've all seen a paramedic speeding to help someone. Riding skilfully, on a powerful motorbike - weaving through the traffic at a rate of knots.
That's a "first responder", often being summoned to the scene of a cardiac arrest, to prevent death.
He's specially trained in how to react in critical situations.
After, follows the more cumbersome ambulance with various types of equipment.
As believers in Jesus, each of us is called to be a "first responder" in every sort of circumstance of life.
Prayer must be our first response to good times and bad.
Yet often we try every which way before dropping to our knees to ask the Lord to be involved and help us.
Like Ezra, in the passage above, we should be ashamed to go out into the day without first giving it to the Lord!
It doesn't need to be long and drawn out, just a plea of "help" is often the most sincere prayer!
Good old Jehoshaphat prayed: "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You"!
2 Chronicles 20:12
Hezekiah took a threatening letter and spread it out before the Lord in prayer!
Isaiah 37:14
Miraculous things happened for those Bible characters [look it up for yourselves]. But they are NOT unique! They will happen for you too, when you turn the situation over to God as a FIRST RESPONSE.
God longs to be the first on the scene of our life's dramas.
He's the One with the Ultimate Power to divert evil and turn it around for good.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Get Him on the scene as fast as you can in every situation.
Don't leave prayer as a last resort, be a first responder!
Father God, forgive me for so often leaving You "out of the loop" and trying things in my own strength. Help me first to give each situation into Your more than capable Hands!
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