Yesterday we talked about the “how” of prayer. Today we want to look at the “why”. Some people wonder if it actually makes a difference. Maybe you’ve thought that. After all, you’ve prayed about stuff and nothing happened. Maybe, maybe not.
God does listen. He tells us He does. He loves to hear from us like any parent loves to hear from their children. Understand this though: God listens, but that doesn’t mean He always does what you want Him to do in the way you want it done on your timeline.
God always hears us, but sometimes He says:
NO: In His love for us, He knows what’s best, and this just isn’t best.
SLOW: It’s not a bad idea, but the timing is wrong. He sees things we don’t and so we can trust Him while we wait.
GROW: He can use the process, the pain, the wait and whatever else He needs to in order to help us mature and become more like Jesus. Sometimes the circumstances don’t have to change as much as I need to.
GO: We all love this one. He said YES! It’s GO time!!
I got that four-part guide to understanding how God answers our prayers from a great little book by Bill Hybles, Too Busy Not To Pray.
Here’s one quick picture of prayer I want you to see before you go and talk to God.
Prayer thought:
I (Maegan) noticed something awhile back. I noticed that I had stopped praying. I had stopped for two reasons.
1) I got tired of hearing myself ask God for things. The only time I remembered to pray was when I was in need.
2) I wasn’t focused enough to communicate, I did not know what to say, or was unable to put it into words. I couldn’t slow down my brain enough to even get started.
So the Lord taught me to trade in my silence for praise! If you are ever stuck, just start with a name, start by saying “JESUS”. Keep saying it like you mean it, “JESUS!” Then add to it as you start to think of Jesus and what He has done for you. We don’t have to do this on our own; the Holy Spirit can accompany our prayers and teach us how to have an effective prayer life. Don’t over think it! Just praise His Holy Name and the words will come!
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21 NIV)
