Why Pray?!
“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble.
But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and
not in the one who says it;
our prayers do make a difference.”
~ Max Lucado
This week Dean and I have felt the feebleness of our prayers. We know prayer changes things, we have seen it over and over. But what about when you don’t see a change; it’s going in the wrong direction or you feel like your watching a tennis match: it’s good >> it’s bad >> it’s good >> nope, oh wait….
Here are some somethings I hold onto:
When we need hope: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” Psalm 130:5
When we need trust: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4
When we need faith: “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:16-17
When we have to spiritually do battle: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
When we need a good reminder: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
I am remembering Daniel who one time had a prayer answered right away and another he had to wait because of the battle being fought in heaven. (See Daniel 9:20-23 and Daniel 10:12-14)
Believing in the power of prayer is foundational in the life of the believer. We are called to have a relationship with God through prayer. We are to fight and believe for miracles through prayer. We are to stand on the promises of God through prayer. We are to re-align ourselves with God through prayer. We are to submit and surrender through prayer.
Our girls were healed in NICU by God’s wisdom given to man. Even with us doing and saying all the right things, sometimes our prayers seem to fail: my mom died from aneurysm. But I know she is living her best, fulfilled life in heaven. Probably singing and dancing up a storm … if you can make pasta in heaven, she is on it and feeding everyone.
Yes, God has given us all power but we live in a fallen world where disease and heartache run rampant through our lives. We have to remind ourselves that the same God that rejoices with us in healing, will walk with us through the sorrow.
Father, we hold onto the hope we in have You! Help us to re-frame our emotions to line up with Who You are and Your absolutely, fierce love for us.
May the God of all peace be with you today!
All My Love ~
Jodi xox