Prayer...

Interestingly, I've been working my way through Philip Yancey's book, Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference? lately, after our small group finished a video study on the same. Well, this week is a great chance to look at the practical applications of that reading. The future of the Ghana program in Canada is extremely precarious and will be decided shortly. The question is, do we beg for what we want (partly for us, partly for all the other families involved, partly for the children who are and will be born needing a family), do we ask for peaceful acceptance of any outcome, do we focus on finding clarity in terms of our own future direction in all of this? Or some combination? If we believe that adoption is a good thing and that enabling Canadians to adopt Ghanain children meets crucial human needs, then it makes sense to pray for removal of barriers to this good and restorative work. Yancey's book explores the age-old question of whether it is possible to influence God. I am inclined to agree with the suggestion that at times God does choose to act based on our sincere requests. Particularly if those requests are in line with that which is good and right. So until we know otherwise, feel free to pray specifically that Ghana will remain open to Canadian adoptive parents.

If it does not, then we will need clarity in knowing what to do next. And we will focus on that if the time comes. I would like to say this is all completely unexpected, but I'm so inclined toward a slightly pessimistic view that I can't say I'm altogether shocked. Although I'm quite open to being pleasantly surprised & proven wrong!