Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/jas.5.16.NIV
Powerful and effective.
These words stand out to me when I read this scripture.
There is so much to learn about God. His subtleties; His absolute truths.
One thing I know for sure:
GOD HEARS US.
You don’t believe me? Maybe you have unanswered prayers? Maybe you’re now singing that Garth Brooks’ song from the 90s. Maybe you think that God is so big and power and busy that “Why would He care about me?”
Because He does.
The Bible is explicit when it comes to how to ask our Father for stuff.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
~1 John 5:14
Ask anything. Our God hears us. All of us. All of the time.
He is never too busy.
You are never too unimportant.
You are a child of the Most High God. And, He is our Father. A good Father. Not a distant-only-see-you-when-I’m-not-too-busy dad, but an engaged, 24-hour, always-here-for-us-ready-to-help-us kind of Dad. THE Dad. OUR Dad.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
~Matthew 7:9-10 NIV
Would you give out snakes and stones? Or, would you pour out what is best for your child?
That brings us to what I consider the hardest part of prayer–praying in God’s will.
Many of our prayers are selfish. Let’s face it. They aren’t for our greater good. They are fleeting. We want a quick fix, not an overall blessed life.
Every aspect of our lives is truly in the hands of God. Our morning commute. Our child’s big test. That doctor visit. God knows all. God hears all. And, He wants you to know that He is here to answer your questions, soothe your fears and walk with you through the journey. All of it. Every step. All day long!
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
~Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
He’s better than Google! Ask Him today about that job interview. Ask Him today about that meeting at work. Ask Him today about your child’s situation you don’t have the strength to fix. Ask Him.
And, see what marvelous things He has in store. Ask Him about His will for you. His will is so sweet and wonderful. He doesn’t want bad things for you ever. He has great plans for you laid out before the beginning of time.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
~Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
God is with us always if you believe. And, He promises to help our unbelief, too. (Read more here.) It’s hard living in this world. Thank God we have Him to help us.
Let’s pray…
Dear Heavenly Father, show us what to pray. Please show us how to be in YOUR will today. And, show us how to put our total crust in You and listen. Thank you, Dad, for everything. Amen.
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