Not even 5am on a Saturday and I’ve been awake since about 4am. As much as I tried to fall back asleep it eluded me. I was kept awake as thoughts of prayer and praying entered my mind.
How many, when they pray, pray as if it it is a laundry or “to-do” list for God?
And then get upset when He doesn’t do “His chores” in timely fashion (or at all)?
God heal me, heal so and so, change this or that…etc Then get upset when He seemingly doesn’t answer in the expected time or expected way. Prayer isn’t a “honey do list”
God isn’t a “genie in a bottle” granting wishes. He does answer-His time, His way. I love this quote from Jonathan Evans speaking of God answering prayer, “Just because I didn’t answer your prayer your way, doesn’t mean I didn’t answer any way.”
How many ask God for the same thing in every prayer? (As if He didn’t hear you the first time) Something I’ve learned over the last few years is, when I ask something of God, to both believe it to be done already and trust in Him.
I don’t have to keep asking. He heard me the first time and, in His time and in His way, He will work it out.
More often than not my prayers, I ask for continued patience and strength in the time waiting for the answer. For example
Lord, I trust that you are working out this need. May I continue to have patience and strength while You work it out as I am struggling right now.
How many don’t give God the glory He deserves for the things He has done, is doing, and will do?
As if His blessings are to be expected therefore thanks aren’t necessary, Yet we should never lose our awe and praise of all that He did, does, and will do for us. Prayer is the perfect time to express the great love we have for the one who loves us so unconditionally. The one who gives us such grace and mercy. The one who both redeems and restores.
So much about prayer swirled in my head this morning. Prayer is so powerful and beautiful. It is a chance to praise our Father in Heaven for His loving kindness. To cast our cares on the one who can carry them for us. To intercede for others who are struggling. To communicate and build a relationship with our creator who longs to have that relationship with us.
As I look back at all the musing of this morning, my encouragement to you would be to pray ; “Never stop praying” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT
When you pray, believe it is done already. “Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Mark 11:22-24 NLT
Throw out your laundry list, your expectations , your timing. Yes, let Him know your cares, your hurts, your “needs”, BUT Trust in God who was, is, and always will be faithful to His Word and His promises. Believe He will and then let Him. ❤️
I suppose my musing is down now and I can grab coffee #2. Just after 6am 😊
Heavenly Father, I come to who this morning with such a heart of praise and love for you. Truly I am in awe of how you work things out in my life and the lives of those around me. You are the God who sees us, redeems us, and restores us. Thank you Father. Lord I lift up those who read this to you. May they be blessed in some way by the message. May they seek you even more deeply. May they come to trust You, Your Word, and Your faithfulness in their lives. All this I ask in the beautiful and precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Faith Grows Faith 