The life of leadership from Joseph is extraordinary. I find myself praying for discernment regarding the future so that I can make wise plans.

I love the gospel of Luke because he seemed to be the one more interested in prayer.

Zacharias was a priest of prayer. What a surprise to have an angel tell you that your prayer has been heard. It makes me wonder which one. Was it his official prayer as a priest, representing the people of Israel and that God’s kingdom would come or would it have been a heart felt prayer not even uttered that he might have a son?

Mary too had a visit from an angel and given the honour Jewish mothers have so long desired. I love Mary’s response as she used the language of faith and humble adoration. She reminds me to guide my heart by the word of God. I leave the story knowing that with God nothing is impossible. I am encouraged to take the promises that I hear and read and turn them into prayers.

Job leads me to pray what is really on my mind and heart.

Let me ask for two things; agree to them,
    and I will not try to hide from you:
     stop punishing me, and don’t crush me with terror.– Job 13:20-21 GNT

He did not hold back and he did not spout platitudes. I am encouraged to pray my true thoughts and feelings. God sees and knows those things anyway.

We must lay before him what is in us; not what ought to be in us. – C.S. Lewis

I love the fact that Job wanted God to speak.

Speak first, O God, and I will answer.
    Or let me speak, and you answer me.
What are my sins? What wrongs have I done?
    What crimes am I charged with? – Job 13:22-23 GNT

Dangerous prayers indeed but that is a whole lot better than me doing all the talking.

More mystically minded people sometimes suppose that words by their very nature are an obstruction to the goal of a deep communion with God, but that is just not so. Instead words are necessary medium of a relationship with God. To put your trust in the words of the covenant promise God makes to you is itself to put your trust in God: the two are the same thing. Communication from God is therefore communion with God, when met with a response of trust from us. – Timothy Ward