Director's View: What Shapes How we Pray

A.W. Tozer said, “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” In a recent staff meeting we focused our prayer time on the big picture of what God is doing at the Ranch, working to look beyond the limitations of our ability and sense of vision to see God’s.We started by remembering examples of God’s provision from Scripture. Hearing the group sharing story after story was faith-nurturing and exciting. The reminders of God’s frequent and powerful acts of supernatural provision helped us ask for big things, like the money needed to reopen transitional houses and to remodel the downstairs of the main building. We prayed that an abundance of resources and helpers would arrive, allowing us to do everything we believe is part of God’s desire for these young people.We prayed again that the Ranch would be God’s project, not ours, and that we wouldn’t handicap His work or vision by our limitations.

God has power that goes beyond our imagination: our finite minds cannot even fully grasp His infinite ability. When we pray, we must remember this is who God is: He isn’t a powerful person; He’s the all-powerful person. But when we pray we must also remember who we are. Often enough, I pray earnestly for something I believe I need or that I’m convinced God wants for me--only to realize years later how wrong I was.

​Is your vision for your life built
on your own ability and power?

Back in our July staff meeting, we prayed for the needs of our fleet of vehicles. Since then, we have received the funds to purchase a suitable vehicle to replace our 15-passenger van and a Toyota Avalon Hybrid at a fraction of its value.

When I think about how little I know compared to what God knows--which is everything--I know I have to pray with great humility. 

At the end of our time, we prayed God would never give us anything that would remove our dependence on Him.We would rather be on our knees asking for bread for dinner than in a magnificent edifice with dry souls.

If you saw everything God sees, how would you pray? Is your vision for your life built on your ability and power, or on the mighty foundation of God’s limitless power and complete love for you, who He created to be a channel for sharing them with others?

Nate Boyd, Executive Director