I remember a time, many years ago and very early in my military career, when I made the decision to become a Communications Officer.  I was a young Marine studying at the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia and all of the occupational fields of the Corps lay before me awaiting my decision about which to pursue.  I really didn’t know what choice I should make.  Infantry was the choice of those who wanted to become generals; I had no such aspirations.  Supply was for those who could master numbers and logistics; I had no such skills.  Artillery held promise because it allowed me to project power far afield; unfortunately, most of the Arty officers I had met couldn’t hear very well, and since maintaining some audible acuity into middle age was a life goal of mine, Arty was out.  The air wing required perfect vision, which I did not have, nor did I sense a “Need for speed.” 

   So, in my memory, I recall myself sitting with my classmates in a large grassy field.  I was pondering my career choices when the time came for our Communications class to begin.  We studied how to call for helicopter support, and at the end of the session, the teacher asked for a volunteer.  I lifted my hand.  The task was to use the AN/PRC-77 radio, which was set up on the field, to call in a helicopter.  As the sun was setting on a beautiful autumn evening, I began my first tactical radio communication (well, actually it was a training event, but it felt tactical.)

   I spoke the helicopter’s call sign and my call sign into the handset and my words echoed over a loudspeaker system, which was deployed on the field.  Everyone could listen in to the message.  I waited for the pilot’s response, but only the sound of static greeted me.  Again I called, and again no response came.  Faintly, from a distance came the rhythmic pounding of the dual rotors of a CH-46 helicopter coming my way, but still there was no radio reply.  The instructor told me to continue with the message, so I told the pilot to turn south and approach my field.  Shortly thereafter, the helo turned slowly and came closer.  I wondered if he had heard me or if he simply knew what time to be at the field and was coming with or without my communiqué. 

   The sun was now over the horizon and the Eastern Virginia fog was rolling in as the pilot slowly, almost at a hover, crawled toward my location, the thunderous thumping of his blades pummeling the humid air into submission.  I finished the landing zone brief and all that was left to do was to give clearance for the bird to land.  There he hung, awaiting some signal to settle down to earth, but was I directing him, or was he just following a pre-arranged scenario designed to impress some wide-eyed college boys?  My teacher interrupted my train of thought.  “Tell him,” he said, “that he is clear to land, and tell him also, that if he understands your transmission, to flash his landing lights.”  I followed my teacher’s instructions, and the bird moved forward more purposefully now.  Past the last trees and over the field he came, and in the final seconds of his descent he changed my life.  For in the those last few seconds of flight, the thickening fog fluoresced an eerie orange as the helicopter’s landing lights, ripping the night, flashed on and off, on and off, on and off.  I knew in an instant, I had slipped beyond the confines of my physical being and had a real impact on the lives and intents of others.  I knew I had communicated!

   How often I have thought that prayer is like this experience of mine.  So frequently we throw our prayers out over the spiritual airwaves and await a clear response from God yet none seems to come.  Perhaps the stout of heart will call again, but most of us, feeling we have not been heard, simply switch off our spiritual radios and declare, “That prayer stuff doesn’t work.”  But one thing I know about communicating with God is that he speaks to us on his terms and in his time.  The fact that I cannot see him and the fact that I do not hear him does mean that he does not see or hear me, nor does it mean that he is not acting in my best interest.

   But, one may ask, if he does not respond to my calls, how can I know that he is there and listening?  Ah, and here is the wonder and the challenge of Christian living – PATIENCE.  The Psalmist teaches that God enjoins us to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)  Isaiah declares, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)  And again the Psalmist says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

    Moreover, waiting involves an attitude of faith, faith in God’s Word.  Just as I trusted my teacher’s word and called out to the helicopter before I ever saw it, so too we must trust the Word of God and pray in accordance with it when we communicate with him.  The Bible says, “My God shall supply all of your need according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:19)  Scripture also records God’s declaration, “[My word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish the purpose for which I sent it.”  (Isaiah 55:11)  And again, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15) 

   If God is so willing to help, why then do not more Christians experience a fulfilling prayer life with God?  For many the answer is because they do not know the Word of God and have no idea what God’s will is in any given situation.  They will never hear what they want to hear from God because they are asking for things that are outside of God’s will, which is clearly expressed in his Word.  Hence, before our prayers begin, we must listen to God as he speaks through his Word.

   On-the-other-hand, for those Christians who do know what God expects of them and are familiar with his Word, often the trouble lies in a lack of patience.  Sometimes when we speak to God and we proclaim his Word, but we don’t hear an immediate response, we sign off the air.  Christian, we ought not to do so.  Just because the radio is not crackling back with electrifying messages does not mean that God is not maneuvering his forces to come to your aid.  Stand fast, keep communicating and in faith believe that God is on his way and that in his time your prayer will be answered if you will only wait patiently.