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Cheeseburger Prayers
A steaming made-to-order cheeseburger with extra mayonnaise was competing with an equally greasy order of fries. A thick ice-cold vanilla shake was standing by in case of a cooling emergency. I was compelled to simply pray a silent public "fast food grace." While tacking on late breaking requests to God, it dawned on me that soon I would enter high school hallways as a freshman…
Dear Lord, thanks for the food You’ve blessed me with today. And God… since I start high school next week, I figure that the next four years will affect the rest of my life. So, please guide me in a special way. Reveal to me whatever it is that is important to You. Thanks for listening. Amen.
That was it. The prayer that changed my life. I remember that seemingly unimportant cheeseburger plea now as a spiritual milestone. God did indeed answer that prayer in ways I never thought possible. I took the initiative and God was faithful by providing the components of His love.
Just weeks later I began attending a dynamic youth group. Every week I learned more about the Lord and His unwavering love for me. I became submerged into a one-on-one discipleship relationship with a youth leader.
I can thank God for over a half dozen very important spiritual mentors in my life, including my brother Dan who took me to his youth group meetings when I was in junior high.
I cannot express to you enough the urgent need and blessing of a consistent discipleship relationship. Shared prayers, accountability struggles and consistent exploration of God’s Word gave me roots of faith that will last a lifetime. God can use others to help mold us into His image. This is an important part of falling in love with Jesus forever.
It may take more than a fast food prayer, but I urge you to open your heart to God and ask Him to direct His plans for your life. Ask Him to provide a mentor to walk with you as you walk with God. He will faithfully lead you and guide you.
Years later I found myself ready to go overseas as a full time missionary. I would be leaving behind a small youth I had worked with for three years. I remembered the first lesson I had shared with the students about the King Solomon had learned after having it all. "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come…" (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
I repeated this same lesson with the group before I left for my mission work. In Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 it all seemed so simply profound… "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. " - Dave Davidson
It is a cause of much weakness to many that they
do not treat God’s promises as realities.
Charles Spurgeon