Don’t Plan Without Prayer!
(January 19, 2026)
Back when Olive and I had been married only a few years, I worked as an
announcer at WLOB, a religious radio station in Portland. I had been there a few
years when I got the opportunity to work at WHCF, a wonderful Christian radio
station in Bangor. Without praying about it I made the decision to stay where I
was because Olive and I had just started as youth leaders at the church we
attended, and I felt that God would not call us away from that youth ministry
when we hadn’t had the position very long. Foolishly, I thought I knew what God
wanted without even asking Him.
As it turned out, our youth ministry was short-lived and the opportunity at WHCF
was lost. I will never forget thinking that instead of making a snap decision, I
should have prayed about it and included my wife in the decision. There is a real
possibility that I missed a God-given opportunity because of my haste and lack of
wisdom because I did not consult my wife and seek the Lord in prayer.
Are you facing a new opportunity for ministry or a work situation? May I
encourage you to spend much time in prayer seeking God’s guidance? There is no
hurry, because God is never in a hurry, and He will lead you in His time. And His
timing is always perfect.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your
own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths
straight.” That means God can be trusted for wisdom in what decision to make
and when to make it.
If you are married, please consult your wife/husband. Or if you are not married,
ask some godly friends to pray about your decision with you and consider
carefully their wisdom. And again, take your time. Most important decisions
should not be rushed. It is rare that a critical decision must be made immediately.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God is waiting
to give you all you need to make the right decision. Trust Him!