“I prayed about it.”

One of my favorite things to do, but one of my LEAST FAVORITE retorts to hear.

Now let me explain because this is a little touchy…So, we prayed about it. That’s good, I think that’s what we should do. Ask for guidance, ask our friends to join us in prayer, even take a minute to process if what we’re doing is going to align us with our purpose. God isn’t going to push us in the direction of rash decision making without a plan. He won’t encourage us to be inconsiderate or careless. The solution will be clear, thoughtful, loving, considerate, well laid…most likely make us better.

God doesn’t confuse, the devil does that. He’s not manipulative or spiteful or greedy…the devil’s all those things. God brings peace, helps us plan and carefully execute. I can definitely tell when I don’t actually pray about things like I should, because the process is much more convoluted than it needs to be. There are gaps in decisions because I didn’t think them through or didn’t see them coming. There’s maybe a Screwtape in my ear I don’t want to admit exists….a blind spot I’m missing. All things God would show me if I prayed about it….and waited for understanding.

So if we’re going to use “I prayed about it” in conversation, it probably shouldn’t be presented as a “can’t argue with me now because I’ve got God on my side and you don’t” justification…. The process should match the God we prayed to for guidance. The clarity of the plan should be evident and masterful just like He is.

An answered prayer in our hearts is only something we can feel and discern. Maybe the litmus test to a true Devine reply is whether or not you’re asking Him to agree with you, imagining He did, and therefore everyone else should, too, or asking for guidance and feeling correction to do it well.

“My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬