Prayer - (warning: strong beliefs ahead)

I fully believe in the power of prayer. I don't need anything to be proved. I have a blind faith in my spirituality and don't have to see it to believe it. I also know that God hears every prayer, not just a select few. He hears them whether you are in church, your car, or wake up in the middle of the night, He always hears prayers. Whether he acts on every one is another story. It's incredibly hard for me to comprehend that some of the greatest gifts He gives are often of the prayers that go unanswered. Maybe someday I will understand, but right now, today, I cannot fathom the reason.

I have always been a big pray-er (if that is even a word, let alone a characteristic). I remember lying in my bed at night as a child having conversations with God. Ever since I was little I have always felt that one should never pray sporadically to just ask for something, in fact, I don't think praying for a "thing" is the right way to go about a prayer request. I can recall when I was getting my Masters degree and someone seriously praying, "Please, God, give me an A on this test." I couldn't help but think...

God doesn't give A's, teachers do. God doesn't get you a job offer, or win a football game, or get you into college. He gives you the skills and abilities to do all those things. Only I can earn an A on the test, God has already blessed me with the ability to succeed, at some point, prayer should not change the responsibility that lies on my shoulders. Prayer doesn't replace studying or being prepared....

I have prayed more in the last 3 months than I can remember. Every time I think about our situation, I say a quick prayer. Although redundant, sometimes I feel like the more I pray the better the odds are that it will be answered. Like He pulls a prayer out of a hat and I'm just hoping He pulls mine. Other times I feel like I can't keep praying the same thing and getting the same answer, so maybe it's time to change. My new prayer....

God, please grant us the strength to get through this and please let me never doubt your motives or your plan. Also, please give me an A on this test... haha, He knows that I am just kidding! ;)