Search This Blog

Friday, January 15, 2016

Does Prayer Matter



Sometimes the Psalms are comforting because of what they say, but sometimes I think they're comforting because David is such a mess!

I laughed, this morning, as I read Psalm 17:6, "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer" (NIV).

Followed by Psalm 22:2, "My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest" (NIV).

Followed by Psalm 22:24, "For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help" (NIV).

Oh, David.  It seems like you are at war with yourself... or maybe with God.  I get it.  I wish I didn't, but I do.

When life gets out of control, I think the default is to freak out a little bit.  There is this back and forth, as we hope that God is really there, caring about our prayers, caring about us.  There is this back and forth, as we hope that God will answer, as we hope that God can answer.  There are all kinds of rationales for how God does (or does not) answer our prayers.  I used to be satisfied with some of them.  I used to say things like, "God always answers our prayers.  It's just that God doesn't always answer them the way we want them to be answered," or, "God always answers our prayers.  Sometimes God says yes, sometimes God says no, and sometimes God says wait".  There might be some truth to statements like this, yet, but they are no longer satisfying.

I think, instead, I am going to draw from another Scripture, today, Hebrews 3:13, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called, 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (NIV).

I'm not going to pretend to know what every outcome will be, but I do know that prayer is urgent.  We need to commune with God.  So, no more of this back and forth stuff.  Speak to God.  Listen to God.  God hears you.  Be encouraged.  There is no need to be hardened by the deceit that whispers that you are alone or forgotten.  Let's just kick that thought to the curb, today...

L.

1 comment:

  1. I think there are times when we feel that God is distant. I don't see a problem for shouting out to God to come near to us when we feel so far from Him.

    But the verse about encouraging one another daily, wow! That really puts new meaning into my thoughts. I see move than ever before the importance of encouraging one another so that in those times when someone feels far from God that it's mega important to encourage or spur one to stand firm in their faith.

    Thanks for keeping your blog alive and active. Thanks for sharing your inner thoughts.

    ReplyDelete