September 24: Lamentations 5; Psalm 69; 2 Peter 2

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.  At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.

Let's imagine for a moment that God is the wind.  Blowing everywhere, always present, sometimes palpable, sometimes quiet and calm.

Now let's imagine we are in a room with a window.  As wind, God seeks to enter the room---even if only through the cracks and crevices of the closed window.  Inside the room, we desperately need the refreshment that comes from fresh air.  Sometimes we just sit there and bemoan our state:  "O, I wish I could breathe in the fresh air!  What I wouldn't do for a brisk breeze right now."

When we pray, we do more than bemoan; we actively seek that fresh air.  We open the window--sometimes a crack and sometimes throwing it wide open--and let the fresh breeze of God blow into our lives.  Instantly, we are given refreshment, and the longer we remain in the fresh air---we will be provided answers---ways forward, whatever our situation may be.

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.  At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.  (Psalm 69: 13)