Rooftop
Jeremiah 29:12-13
There were many nights that I spent on the ten-story dorm rooftop in college. Now, let me explain that this was not the literal “rooftop” of the building – no student was ever allowed access there unless one was associated with the maintenance team. Rather, what I referred to as the “rooftop,” was the highest point in the building that I could find to spend personal time alone with God. The dorm building only had nine actual stories and rarely did women ever venture up that last flight of stairs to the tenth story. Up there was nothing but a cement platform, a large door labeled “Roof Access,” and a narrow ground-to-ceiling window that allowed only enough moonlight in to illuminate the area with a dim glow. The window overlooked the entire city and surrounding neighborhoods for miles. It was there that I spent many nights taking a much-needed a break from endless study for the test I would end up failing anyway, or the nighttime devotions anticipating tomorrow’s 4:30 am work shift. It was a safe place where I could search for peace and re-focus on God’s will without the distraction of college life and work surrounding me, interrupting me, and constantly demanding things from me. It was there that I often brought my “Why?” questions to God: declined acceptance to the nursing program my freshman year? another failed exam? emergency surgery that could jeopardize my graduation? pulling an all-nighter to submit the paper by 7 and falling ill because of it? the sudden death of a college best friend? God wants us to seek Him – in the joy and in the sorrow – to know His will, His love, His understanding, His peace, and the hope that He can provide us in each of those revelations.
"'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all Your heart.'" ~ Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV
Life Lessons
Countless nights, I sat in the frame of that rooftop window praying for a verse or hymn to come to mind that I needed for that exact moment in my life. I can’t think of any instance that God withheld providing for that request almost instantly.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-8, NIV
The idea in this passage is to put away needless worry and anxiety, and to surrender everything over to God in prayer – thanksgiving and request alike. It reminds me of the words of the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “…what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”
Take it to Heart
Do we consider it a privilege to bring our requests to God in prayer? I believe God delights in the time He can spend ministering to our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit and through prayer. Don’t be afraid of feeling “incompetent” in the way you pray or in not knowing what to pray. God teaches us that the Holy Spirit works to intercede for us.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." ~ Romans 8:26-27
God cares about your heart and understands everything you are concerned about regardless of whether you choose to present it to Him in prayer or not. But I want to encourage you in this…prayer is an intimate conversation with God that can help you feel His presence, experience healing in utter brokenness, and find beauty in the middle of ugliness. Simultaneously, prayer can be a fulfilling time of worship and rejoicing. It’s a time when we can be bowed in awe and overwhelmed by the work and presence of our Savior.
So whenever I am frustrated over various circumstances in my life and call my mom for advice (like I’m sure all daughters at some point do), she now thoughtfully reminds me: “Did you go up to the rooftop already?”
