Make It Happen

"Make It Happen" - by Mariah Carey

I should be sleeping right now--I am SO TIRED. But I want to share a song. I apologize for writing something this late; it's not going to be too organized. Who cares?

I am a very big fan of Mariah Carey's music; I especially like her gospel-tinged songs such as this one. It's great seeing someone who is as powerful as Carey is in the music industry singing for the Lord.

Initially, I was going to share this song simply because I liked the feel of this song. Upon further inspection, however, I could see the depths to which this song reaches. I don't know about your prayer life with God, but I can honestly say that mine was very shaky initially. The thought of prayer actually seemed very foolish to me. Growing up watching all these people at church doing the routine bowing of their heads, the clasping of their hands, and of course the falling to their knees made me want to roll my eyes. I saw prayer as a petty attempt to give hope to a hopeless cause. Rather than speaking to God, I saw prayer as a psychological means of attempting to organize and make sense of the many things that go on in one's life by speaking to oneself (or an imaginary being). Obviously, I didn't have much-- or any-- faith in the power of prayer.

Even when I became a Christian, I was still pretty cynical about prayer. It wasn't until the end of my sophomore year or so that I recognized the incredible power of prayer. At that time, my mother came down with a life-threatening ailment: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. It is a very rare disease that proves fatal to many inflicted with the disease. I was scared. All hope seemed to be lost for my mom: she had just come out of unsuccessful ocular surgery only to be stricken with a fatal disease. It was time to attempt to give hope to a hopeless cause; it was time to pray. As cynical as I was, I prayed daily, even asking the fellowship to join me in prayer. And right before my eyes, I see my mother quickly recovering from such a predicament; I could barely believe it. All I know is that God was at work, and I am forever grateful.

Accordingly, my take on prayer has grown to be much more positive since then. As foolish or stupid as it may seem at times-- like the song says-- "He can make it happen." I especially like the point in the song when Carey belts out:

"I once was lost, but now I'm found
I got my feet on solid ground
Thank you, Lord!
If you believe within your soul
Just hold on tight and don't let go
You can make it happen!"

Don't ever let go of your faith. There is truly SO MUCH power in prayer. For those of you in the high school fellowship, I encourage you to try Mark's "centering prayer" exercise, and really experience God that way. I guarantee that it will be very fulfilling.

"And if you get down on your knees at night
And pray to the Lord
He's gonna make it happen
Make it happen."