6-6-22<\/p>\n
Prayer. It is a mysterious thing, really. A gift proffered by the Creator of the Universe to every one of His children \u2013 the invitation to have a conversation.<\/p>\n
It can be a chat, for it is not supposed to be a one-way street. We let the burdens of our hearts be known; we lift our praise and gratitude; we sometimes cry in helpless confusion.<\/p>\n
Other \u201cgods\u201d and figureheads of various religious traditions do not converse. How were they portrayed? They dispensed wisdom or rules. They demand tribute. They have no counterparts of the Holy Spirit, the aspect of God who lives in our hearts and is our Advocate before the Throne.<\/p>\n
We are assured that God covets our prayers, and hears the prayers of the righteous; that His Word never comes back void; that the Holy Spirit \u2013 when we are unable to pray or might feel inadequate \u2013 will nevertheless \u201cgroan\u201d on our behalf.<\/p>\n
We often list our desires\u2026 but the Lord knows our needs. Thank God.<\/p>\n
And that is part of the mystery, beyond the miracle that God knows even the number of hairs on our heads: He knows our needs. In fact He feels our pains and joys and burdens and petitions before we organize them in prayer. He knows, already. And He knows the answers.<\/p>\n
So why pray? Why does He need for us to approach Him? Why does He \u201ccommunicate\u201d?<\/p>\n
In prayerful communication, He speaks to our hearts; He sometimes speaks audibly; He brings \u201cthe peace of God, which passes understanding,\u201d as is promised about prayer; He has assured us that fervent prayer \u201cavails much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part of the mystery should be clear \u2013 we are blessed by the act of praying, even before the answers come. Further, prayer is the most palpable form of obedience we can exercise: believing, approaching, trusting \u2013 the essence of faith. Prayer is the \u201ckey to Heaven, and faith unlocks the door,\u201d as the Gospel song says. We are encouraged to pray for one another<\/em>: such is our duty, and it pleases God that we fellowship with the saints. The Gifts of the Spirit, enumerated throughout the New Testament, include praying \u201cin the Spirit,\u201d surrendering our tongues and hearts to the language of angels, clearing worldly impediments to conversation with God.<\/p>\n Yet our natural minds still have natural questions.<\/p>\n Frequently asked by skeptics, and sometimes in corners of our own hearts: When we pray \u201cfervently,\u201d when we are \u201crighteous\u201d according to scriptural verses on the matter, when we \u201cpray believing\u201d as commanded, when we seem to be in accord with His Word, when we pray selflessly as we know how\u2026<\/p>\n Why does God sometimes seem to be silent? Why does He sometimes say \u201cno\u201d? More \u2013 why does He sometimes seem to say \u201cNO!!!\u201d<\/p>\n An answer, as hard as it often is to accept, is that \u201cno\u201d is<\/em> an answer. Prayer is not a magic wand. God is not an errand boy. But our response must encompass a deeper understanding than this. God is sovereign; He knows best. He knows better than our want-lists, even when our requests are sincere and righteous. As we agreed, we have our desires; He knows our needs.<\/p>\n Further, as obedient children of a loving God, we have to know that a \u201cno\u201d can really be a \u201cnot yet.\u201d Or, \u201cnot in your<\/em> way, but Mine<\/em>.\u201d Thus saith the Lord.<\/p>\n To reassure ourselves, let\u2019s look at some notable things God did not<\/em> do\u2026 yet, still, were answers to prayer, and examples of how He works His loving will toward us.<\/p>\n In these examples, I think we all might have prayed urgently, probably expectantly, surely hopefully.<\/p>\n Naturally. But, hard as it would be to realize, those prayers would not be conversations. God\u2019s lessons would be lost. Yet they happened, and were recorded, for reasons. We<\/em> were the reasons; to learn the ways in which we can draw closer to God.<\/p>\n And to pray \u201cThy will be done\u201d at the end, as well as the beginning, of our chats with God.<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n\n