Be Assured That God Is Hearing Your Prayers
While we were out of town at a
church association meeting last week, we decided to eat at a well-known
barbecue restaurant in the area. However, as we pulled into the almost-empty
parking lot, we were disappointed to discover that the business wasn’t open. A man
outside who appeared to be involved in doing some repair work or remodeling
informed us that the restaurant wouldn’t be open again until the following week.
As I shared that news with the pastor of the church where we were meeting, he
suggested a similar eating establishment just a few miles down the road. So the
next evening we tried again. However, we soon encountered another empty parking
lot with a note on the door saying that the family who owned the business was
on vacation that week. I guess a good barbecue dinner as part of that trip just
wasn’t meant to be.
Aren’t you glad that we don’t have
to worry about such disappointments with the Lord? He is never out of town. His
office door is never locked. We don’t encounter a “closed”, “gone fishing”, or “on
vacation” sign when we come before His throne in prayer. He is always there,
ready to hear and respond to our needs. What He told His prophet long ago still
applies to us – “Call to Me, and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3). The Bible tells us that we can come
confidently before God in prayer. “Let us therefore come boldly before the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of
need” (Hebrews 4:16). This assurance is based both on Jesus being our great
High Priest who intercedes for us and our loving Heavenly Father who is ready to
bestow good gifts on His children as they seek Him.
Jesus told His followers to ask,
seek, and knock on God’s door (see Matthew 7:7-8). He also assured them that “everyone
who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be
opened.” This doesn’t mean that God will always answer immediately or in the
way we were hoping for. Jesus also taught perseverance in prayer. Sometimes we
might have to keep asking and knocking before receiving an answer. It’s not
because God is unwilling. It may not be the right time, or we might need to learn
some things before receiving the answer. God wasn’t on vacation when Paul
pleaded for Him to remove his “thorn in the flesh”. Yet Paul had to plead for
an answer, not just once but three times, Finally, God came to the door with
the assurance that His grace was sufficient to help Paul deal with this infirmity
or “thorn” in his life. It wasn’t the answer Paul was looking for, but it taught
him something important about how God can manifest His strength in our
weaknesses.
As some of us earnestly pray about
situations in our lives, in our nation, and in the world in general today,
maybe we wonder why God doesn’t seem to be answering. Be assured that it’s not
because He’s unaware, unconcerned, or out of town. We need to keep knocking on
His door. In the meantime, we should listen for any lessons we might need to
learn. Maybe we need to get our own hearts and lives in order as we pray for
the Lord to work in our society. Maybe we need to be revived before He’ll bring
revival to others. Maybe we need to learn that His grace is sufficient for us
as we face our trials and challenges.
Let’s not get discouraged in our
praying. God is there. He’s listening. He’s ready to give us the grace and help
we need today.
Very timely! Like it Amen!
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