Prayer For The Unknown

WOW – I got a “Thank you but no thank you, you don’t match our qualifications” letter today – in about 9 hours from the time I sent the CV and Cover Letter. That is the quickest turnaround I’ve had in this time of transition. Sometimes, life doesn’t work out in the time schedule we desire.

But I also came to another realization this week. In regards to how I am praying for the next open door, I need to be praying in an additional perspective. I do pray for the churches/ministries at which I have submitted my resume. I pray for the church family, the search team and process, and the church’s future. But there is something else.

Let me explain it this way. When Lisa and I got married, we had a Wayne Watson song sung – Somewhere In the World Out There. It is the prayer of father of a young boy, praying for the little girl that one day their son would marry. They don’t even know her name, but they’re praying for her just the same – that the Lord would write His name upon her heart. (see full lyrics at the end)

I know my parents prayed and continue to pray for Lisa – I mean, they know whom she married, so she needs that prayer. But then, we took this prayer to the next generation – we now pray this for Calvin. We have prayed, and continue to pray for each young woman that Calvin has ever dated (No we are not stalkers or crazed parents – just praying parents). But we don’t know whom he will eventually be blessed by.  There is someone out there. Someone that we pray God is writing His name on her heart. And whomever you are, Lisa and I are praying that you hold on to Jesus wherever you are.

Now, in relation to my present situation, my pursuit of that open door God has for me – maybe I need to pray for that next ministry, that next congregation, that next city – that even though I don’t know who you are – I pray God writes His name on your heart, that you hold on to Him wherever you are. Yes, I continue to pray for those with whom I have applied – I even lift them up after they no longer consider me. My prayers don’t stop at thank you – no thank you. But maybe I need to pray for the unknown, the yet to be determined.

How about you? As parents, pray for that person who will cross your child’s path, pray for their walk with Jesus and their love for the Lord. As students, pray for those teachers and classmates for next year – you don’t even know who they are, but pray for them just the same. And are you looking for a job – pray for the unknown coworkers you haven’t even met.

We often pray in specifics, but sometimes we need to pray for the unknown – the uncertain – the yet to be determined. Pray in faith — even when you cant see where you’re headed.

There is an excitement in this – but there is a trembling too. It’s all about trust. And I follow a God that is big enough to trust. Do you?

LYRICS …
Somewhere in the world today
A little girl will go out to play
All dressed up in mama’s clothes
At least the way that I suppose it goes

Somewhere in the world tonight
Before she reaches to turn out the light
She’ll be prayin’ from a tender heart
A simple prayer that’s a work of art

CHORUS
And I don’t even know her name
But I’m prayin’ for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart
‘Cause somewhere in the course of this life
A little boy will need a godly wife
So hold on to Jesus, baby wherever you are

Somewhere in the world out there
That little girl’s learnin’ how to care
She’s pickin’ up her mama’s charms
Or maybe swingin’ around in her daddy’s arms

Somewhere in the world to be
Though the future’s not really clear to me
Theirs could be a tender love
Grounded in eternal love above

And I don’t even know her name
But I’m prayin’ for her just the same
That the Lord will write His name upon her heart
‘Cause somewhere in the course of this life
A little boy will need a godly wife
So hold on to Jesus, baby wherever you are

— Wayne Watson, from Album Giants In The Land, 1985

POST SCRIPT – Want to hear it – listen and watch this YouTube clip

Don’t confuse with Shawn Mendes or Alan Jackson songs.