Do you question the power of prayer? I never have understood the mentality that when we pray God doesn't hear us. He hears us but many times we pray for what we want, without consideration of what He wants. My mom used to tell me that she believed God answered so many of my prayers because I prayed God's will over them. She said that I would always say to her, if it's God's will, it will happen. I truly believe that and I know it's a Biblical fact that God answers prayer according to His will.
For the most part, we feel like God will answer our prayers because that's just the right thing to do. What's right about anything in this world? Nothing. That's the point. I can pray for someone but if I am not praying for God's will over their life; it probably won't be answered. Unfortunately, we don't have the vision to see the future and we definitely don't know what God is doing from day to day. Only He has the divine insight into His master plan. For sure, it's part of His plan that we pray and that we lift others in prayer but the decision to heal, change, or save a person is solely up to Him.
I'm sure that you've encountered people that you believe have a direct line to God. Several people I know believe that I have this unbelievable knack of getting God's attention. I really don't. God gives us all a direct line to Him. He just asks that when we pray that we rely on Him to do the rest. Of course, God will call upon us to be a representative for Him and if He does, please follow. I guarantee the glory will be His but the blessing with be yours. That's what I love about our Lord the most. He helps us get out of our way so that we can help someone else and in return, He blesses us.
So if you're doubting the power of prayer, take some time and look at how you pray. Do you pray for your reward or God's will? There is a difference. His will is divine. Our will is corrupt. So if we pray with the intention of knowing what he's doing, we have already lost. Give yourself a chance to envision the power of prayer without an outcome in mind. I'm not saying that God doesn't allow us to pray for outcomes; He just doesn't want us to put Him in a box. We don't have the vision to see anything beyond this world and the circumstances that lie here, so why not give it to Him and let Him do His will. If we love Him, we will always choose His will over ours.
To this point, throughout the Bible, you can find Scripture that illustrates prayer. I love the Lord's prayer and in times of great duress, I love Psalms. Over and over again, David cries out to the Lord asking for help and as He does, God answers. If you feel like you're alone, think about David and realize that at every turn God was guiding, protecting and loving His servant. If He did that for David, don't you think He's doing it for you?
Psalm 102: 1-13 NKJV:
Hear my prayer, O Lord,
And let my cry come to You.
Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;
Incline Your ear to me;
In the day that I call, answer me speedily.
For my days are consumed like smoke,
And my bones are burned like a hearth.
My heart is stricken and withered like grass,
So that I forget to eat my bread.
Because my sound of my groaning
My bones cling to my skin.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness;
I am an owl of the desert.
I like awake,
And am like a sparrow alone on the housetop.
My enemies reproach me all day long;
Those who deride me swear an oath against me.
For I have eaten ashes like bread,
And mingled my drink with weeping,
Because of Your indignation and Your wrath;
For You have lifted me up and cast me away.
My days are like a shadow that lengthens,
And I wither away like grass.
But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,
And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.
You will arise and have mercy on Zion;
For the time to favor her,
Yes, the set time, has come.
Philippians 4:6 NKJV:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I love to contemplate peoples thoughts and feelings and in the Psalms you hear all of them. Obviously, David was praying, wondering what God would do and hoping He would be merciful. And as the story goes, He was. If you feel like a lonely sparrow, remember prayer is the best way to get close to God. He hears our prayers and by His will; we have mercy and solace. I pray that you're not going through a difficult time but if you are and wondering where God is, remember the lives of David, Job, Joseph and Jesus. He is God forever and His will is perfect. I don't think many people would consider dying on a cross to be merciful and yet, it was. We have been saved because Jesus gave His life for us. God is merciful and just, take Him out of His box and let Him reign!
My prayer today:
Lord, we come before you women that want to know you better. We desire to be faithful in our prayer lives and to look for Your will, not ours. Unfortunately, this world gets us down and we forget the power behind the cross. By dying, You provided an avenue to Your Father and for that we are eternally grateful. We know that there are women out there feeling alone, unloved and lost. Please guide them to women that can pray for them and that have great faith in You! We call upon the Heavens today and ask that we follow Your will all our days. Give us courage to believe and the ability to weather the storms as we seek to surrender our will to Yours. Forever we are grateful for our Savior and for the bond we have with You. In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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