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Of Prayer and Dust and Stars Today's Devotional Read: Genesis 15:1–6 Bible in a Year: Psalms 37–39; Acts 26 Look up at the sky and count the stars. Genesis 15:5 Lara and Dave desperately wanted a baby, but their physician told them they were unable to have one. Lara confided to a friend: “I found myself having some very honest talks with God.” But it was after one of those “talks” that she and Dave spoke to their pastor, who told them about an adoption ministry at their church. A year later they were blessed with an adopted baby boy. In Genesis 15, the Bible tells of another honest conversation—this one between Abram and God. God had told him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am . . . your very great reward” (v. 1). But Abram, uncertain of God’s promises about his future, answered candidly: “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless?” (v. 2). Earlier God had promised Abram, “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth” (13:16). Now Abram—in a very human moment—reminded God of that. But note God’s response: He assured Abram by telling him to look up and “count the stars—if indeed you can,” indicating his descendants would be beyond numbering (15:5). How good is God, not only to allow such candid prayer but also to gently reassure Abram! Later, God would change his name to Abraham (“father of many”). Like Abraham, you and I can openly share our hearts with Him and know that we can trust Him to do what’s best for us and others. How do you think Abraham felt when God encouraged Him in such a difficult moment? What candid conversation do you need to have with God today? Loving heavenly Father, thank You for caring about even the most intimate details of my life. Help me to stay close to You in prayer today. 
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All of my prayers (conversations) with God are candid. I do not like canned or memorized prayers. I want to share with you a couple experiences of people I know. One couple had been praying for a baby, and decided to adopt after several years. After the lengthy process, they had a son and not wanting an only child, and knowing obtaining a second baby would be harder and longer than getting the first one, they applied almost immediately. A couple years later, we saw Tom in town, and he came over to us, just beaming. "We are having another baby!" We congratulated him, and mentioned that it didn't take as long as they had thought it would. He started laughing, and said, "You don't understand. We are having a REAL baby. Sara's pregnant!" I laughed and said, "So your son isn't real?" Of course that isn't what he meant, but he was so exuberant and praising God that it was a comical moment. I still tease him about it. Another couple in our church was childless and the adoption agencies didn't give them much hope because of the man's age. They did receive a baby through a private church agency. When she was just about two years old, they prayed for another child. One day, Steve was at work and called his wife. He told her to sit down because he had some news to share with her. Fearing something bad, she sat down and he told her that a man at work had a niece in Chicago who was pregnant and not going to keep the baby. The father was a drug addict, and didn't want children and she didn't want to raise a baby in that environment and she didn't want to give it up. She had not drank or done drugs during her pregnancy and everything looked good. Ruth was excited and asked why he wanted her to sit down...... the answer was there were TWINS! Both babies were strong and healthy and I had the wonderful pleasure of taking care of them in the church nursery. Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.
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God frequently answers our prayers in ways we don't expect. My prayers with God are also "conversations." Abracadabra 
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