God's Siren The shrill sound caused me to slam on the car brakes. Craning my head out the opened window I grabbed for my wallet. But no police car or emergency vehicle was in sight.. Yet, the siren continued. Earlier that morning I felt a distinct tug from God about my habit of speeding in the car. Taking a proactive approach, I specifically asked Him to alert me the next time I tried to mimic car racer Andretti - without the racecar. I was fully aware that God wasn’t merely after my heavy-footedness but my harried lifestyle. However, just minutes after my “amen,” I envisioned God persuading a police officer to pull me over with a speeding ticket or a fender-bender to bring home His point. So, as I slowly shifted gears and thoughts, I clarified my prayer. God, did You understand what I meant about that speeding thing? Somehow, would You gently remind me when I speed … but not through a ticket? Sheepishly, I turned into the university parking lot with this piercing noise announcing my arrival. As I closed the car door it suddenly dawned on me where the siren was coming from – my trunk! While scrambling to silence the blaring machine friends ran over inquiring about the commotion. I promptly explained that three years ago my dad gave me this nifty lightweight protective gadget for my car in case of an emergency. “See this button? As I pressed it, nothing happened. I pushed another button that should have signaled brilliant red and yellow flashing lights accompanying that shrill warning siren heard just moments ago. But there was only silence. This one has to work! It’s a fluorescent light that comes in handy in case the car battery runs down. It failed to shine - no sounds, no color. As I opened the battery case, 8 batteries coated in acid fell to the ground. As I slipped into bed that night I remembered my early morning prayer. I had expressly asked God to help me drive slower but without getting a ticket. He did! The little mechanism my father had given me had been tipped off by my heavenly Father. The loud “siren” was a warning from heaven and I got it loud and clear. God can work through strange events when He wants to drive home His point. Scripture reveals He moved through a donkey, a rod, and even mud, so why should a mechanical device surprise me? Is God trying to get your attention but you’re too busy to hear Him? I hope He doesn’t have to employ a loud machine and bright flashing lights to illuminate His point! Prayer Power Points: “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays" Soren Kierkegaard “Prayer is opening ourselves to God so that He can open us to others" Louis Evely Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach but only how to pray" D.L. Moody "As a man prays, so is he" A.W. Tozer “Unless I had the spirit of prayer, I could do nothing.” Charles Finney “The Lord’s prayer is the summary of the whole gospel.” Tertullian “Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly.” Luke 22:44 “He who prays as he ought, will endeavor to live as he prays.” John Owen