The podcast I am reviewing this week is a fairly new one, it launched in January 2021. Courtney is the host and the name of the podcast is “Imperfectly Pollyanna: Episode #6 – Where is God When We Pray.” Courtney refers to herself as a Pollyanna; a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything
Courtney speaks to you like your next door neighbor but gets right to the point. In this episode she provides a few examples of when she has witnessed God show up in her life and how prayers do not always get answered the way we think they will.
“This past week, the world lost an amazing man. His name was Carman (Carmelo Domenic Licciardello). After a weird year of 2020, imagine the surprise of our tiny church when we were asked to host this legend! We questioned our ability to make it happen, even had questions on it being wise during the current events. Yet, there we were”.
“Carmen’s booking agent reached out to my mother and stated Carmen was touring and wanted to minister in churches throughout the country. He asked if our church would be open to host him. My mom was very polite in her southern charm and said while it was an honor to be asked but we are a very small church and did not have the capabilities to do something to that level. She let him know that she was sure that there were other larger churches in the area that would love to host them. He said he spoke to Carmen and he wanted to come to our church no matter the size. It ended up we said yes.”
“Fast forward to January, Carmen had a routine operation, and then complications began happening. People were praying for him and then he suddenly died the day before he was supposed to go home. I hurt for his crew and the small churches, I hurt for the people who were inviting their loved ones to upcoming shows in hopes to bringing them closer to the Lord. I am glad that the Lord saw our family and church worthy to host him. I am glad for the friendships we made that we wouldn’t have otherwise had. I am glad for the friends we had not seen in years. We were able to sponsor two children from Child Fund. Carmen supported and promoted Child Fund; he didn’t charge for you attend the show. He offered an opportunity to love the children, to be part of something bigger than you.”
Courtney goes on to explain when she was a teenager, she loved the gospel singer named Michael English. He made some mistakes; one was so significant that he left the gospel singing world for several years. At the time Courtney was struggling with her own faith. “I was mourning the loss of my best friend and worrying over another friend who was running from God. I prayed, for Michael English and my friend, I prayed, I prayed, and prayed some more. I felt like my prayers just were not heard. After all, if they were heard, surely God would have answered them. Surely God cared enough about me and Ben to change hearts, right?”
This is how she saw God move in this situation. “I prayed that God would bring Michael back or my friend back. I had an answer to a long-time prayer that happened at the National Quartet Convention. It wasn’t the place or time I thought it would be, and at the time I was doubting my prayers were even being heard, much less answered. I was wrong. Michael English was at the National Quartet Convention and he came up on stage and shared his story of redemption. God knew what each person needed that day, even 17-year-old me. He had always been listening, he just had a better plan, he had the perfect plan. I am sure glad God sees the big picture, he knows what we need, when we need it, and how we need it.”
I liked this podcast, it is authentic and Courtney shows us how even when we do not feel qualified, empowered, or perfect for the job, God knows we are. All we have to do is turn it over to Him in prayer and then go on with our lives, to the next thing He is prompting us to do.
It is important to note that prayer doesn’t have to be an hour a day commitment. You can spend five or ten minutes in the morning or at night; better yet send up a word or two throughout the day. God wants that intimate relationship with all of His children and it is formed through prayer.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“God’s command to ‘pray without ceasing’ is founded on the necessity we have of his grace to preserve the life of God in the soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air.”
– John Wesley– Co-Founder of the Methodist Church
If you are wondering does hear our prayers – yes, He does. The ones that get answered are the ones that are part of His plan, His will. Which is beyond anything we can imagine.
The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29
Below are links to the podcast and I am also including a link to a prayer guide that I have found helpful. It is by Kelly R. Baker and there are many good resources within this one document.
Friends, I am thankful for your support. Please leave me a comment if there is anything I can be praying for you about.
Imperfectly Pollyanna: Episode 6 Where is God When We Pray
Follow Courtney on Instagram
Prayer Guide: What Every Believer Needs to Know by Kelly R. Baker
Follow me on Instagram
thegodlypodreview.wordpress.com 