Chasing Donkeys: What to Do When God Redirects Your StepsSample

Pray

When Saul began to give up hope of finding the donkeys, the servant proposed an idea that many of us have resorted to in the face of uncertainty…prayer. The servant suggested going into a nearby town and finding the “man of God,” who could tell them where the donkeys were. This type of scenario shows up often in the Old Testament when people went to a prophet who would appeal to God (or pray) on their behalf.

Why is it that we tend to use prayer as a last resort when trying to navigate the nudges of God in our lives? We try everything in our own abilities and when we’re unsuccessful, we then turn to God for help and direction. Why not start with prayer?

The best example I can share comes from an exchange we find in 1 Samuel 14. In an ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, King Saul finds himself having to make a quick decision. The Philistine army has been defeated in a rather bizarre fashion and is on the run. Saul wants to make the most of the situation by pursuing the Philistines, wiping them out for good.

Then Saul said, “Let’s chase the Philistines all night and plunder them until sunrise. Let’s destroy every last one of them.”

His men replied, “We’ll do whatever you think is best.”

But to Saul’s other side stood a group of advisors with a significantly different strategy.

But the priest said, “Let’s ask God first.” (1 Samuel 14:36)

In contrast to Saul’s approach, his successor, King David made it a habit of seeking God at the beginning of a matter and not the end. He would often go sit before the Lord and have conversations with him asking for direction on major decisions. He understood that without God’s guidance, he would make a mess of his life. (We see this unfold later in his kingship.) David understood that the essence of prayer was not to change his circumstances. He desired to know the One who controlled the circumstances and to seek direction from Him.

God already knows everything that is on our hearts, but He wants us to come to Him and share our concerns and our needs.

Prayer is not just about asking God for things. It is also about getting to know Him better and growing closer to Him. It is in this pursuit of His presence that He begins to shape our lives and direct our steps. Oswald Chambers wrote, “To say that ‘prayer changes things’ is not as close to the truth as saying, ‘Prayer changes me and then I change things.’”

Reflect:

Do you have a tendency to exhaust all options in your own ability before you turn to prayer? How personal are your conversations with God? How can you develop a consistent discipline of sitting before the Lord? Before you end this plan, set a timer and sit quietly before God. Ask Him to show you how you can know Him more and see what He reveals to you.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for the times I started things on my own and not with you first. Help me to make prayer a greater priority in my life and not just when it’s urgent. And when I pray, may I use it as the means to know you more and listen for your voice more intently throughout my day. Amen.