Saturday, July 23, 2022

 

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.

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