Glass Ceiling

I vividly remember my first prayer. I was four years old, sitting in the passenger seat of a 1984 Cadillac Eldorado while my grandmother drove in her usual quiet way. As we passed our church, I looked past the deep red interior and felt a sudden, overwhelming conviction that I needed to become a Christian. My grandmother led me through the prayer to accept Christ.

Years passed as I matured and began learning the power of prayer—and the power of superheroes. Oh, how I wanted retractable claws to burst through my knuckles on command (ouch!). With impenetrable skin, I would fly toward danger and save others from harm.

For months I prayed for superpowers. I begged and pleaded with God: “Lord, if You do this for me, I’ll do that! Give me a ring that controls the four natural elements. Even one element would be awesome—fire!” I even mixed different sodas together, convinced I might stumble upon a secret potion that would trigger my powers. I wanted to change the world for the better. My prayers were never answered—and maybe that was for the best.

Even when our prayers feel as if they’re hitting a glass ceiling, God is listening (Psalm 34:15). Sometimes silence builds patience. Sometimes a “no” is the best outcome when we were begging for a “yes.” The Lord will always forgive our sin when we ask, but He may not grant our earthly desires.

In LOTKR Ch. 8 (Morning Plight), we find Andrius chasing Kelabrin on horseback. Through frustration and frantic, unintelligent words, Andrius tries desperately to save his horse with Flame. Yet the ground never responds. As the Language of the Kings represents the Christian prayer life, Andrius fumbles through his petitions hoping for a “yes.” But his “yes” would have been catastrophic for the story—just as the “yes” we ask in our lives may be hiding consequences. “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path,” (Proverbs 3:6).

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

James 5:16