So, y’all, confession time, again. I feel like I’ve started my prayers off this week as, “Hello, Lord. It’s me. Again.”
I’ve had the hardest time coming up with something to write about this week. I started a draft. Then stopped the draft. Picked up the pen again and then promptly sat said pen back down. I’ve had to pray the Lord would give me a topic to write on. I asked my mom for suggestions. I consulted a friend.
Then it hit me in the shower this morning. Duuuuh, write about the scripture you’ve been chewing on all week.
Last week, I shared a post about the prayer journal I started (Good news, still going strong!). Since then, I’ve just really been thinking about prayer in general. My mom likes to tell our Sunday school children that prayer is like talking to your best friend. When you don’t pray, or talk to God, a connection is lost and you start to feel distant from Him.
Prayer is like a phone line
But, what about the times when it feels like you’re calling on God, but the phone line disconnects?
Or the times it feels like you just have to leave God a voicemail in hopes that He’ll get back to you?
You know, the times it feels like He doesn’t even hear our prayers?
Well, the good news is, He does hear us. Yep, even when the call feels like it dropped.
How do I know?
Well, because the Bible tells me so.
Read 1 John 5:14-15, friend, and let it digest.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14-15
Hello, Lord. Can you hear me?
I wrote those particular verses on a sticky note earlier in the week and left it to marinate. You know, the more you see something, the more it soaks in?
If we’re asking the Lord to do something according to His will, we can be confident that He’ll do it and work it out in the best way possible, too. I know there are all kinds of petitions that we ask of the Lord. Asking Him to save someone? You can bank it that He’s working on that person. Asking Him to guide you to the right job? He’ll do that, too, according to His will.
But, that’s also the key: according to His will.
Not. Ours.
Which means in order for us to get a prayer through, we’re going to have to lay down our own will and seek after His instead. And that also means that some of the things we ask for in prayer won’t turn out like we had it planned in our minds.
That’s been the hardest lesson for me to learn, not going to lie.
But, you know what? I’m learning to enjoy being surprised by the Lord. I know He will answer my petitions according to His will. May not be exactly what I’m expecting, but I’d bet you a nickel, if I did that sort of thing, the answers to my prayers will be better and far greater than I could ever imagine.
And it’s all for his His glory anyway, right?
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Exactly, in His time! But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31. What we have to learn is to be patient and keep the faith. There was a time in my life I thought I had the plan figured out, but nope, my world was turned upside down. My prayer was answered, but not how I had imagined. I suffered tremendous pain and agonizing heartache. Don’t get me wrong, the pain and suffering was worth the salvation of that precious soul. Philippians 4: 6 & 7 says Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. They say hindsight is 20/20 and I certainly believe that statement. When the prayer was answered, I clearly saw how the Lord used situations to save my lost loved one. Keep climbing for the climb will make you stronger!!!
I love you, Momma. Wasn’t thinking of that when I wrote this post, but also applies. Like I said, may not be what we’re expecting, but will work out better. Always does. 🙂
Hey Cassie,
I really needed to read this. I have been struggling with the prayer “if it is Your will, Lord.” However, your post has put it in a new perspective.
Blessings Cassie.
Thanks for stopping by, Na’! I’m glad you found it helpful! 🙂
Amen! 1 John 5:14-15 is one of my a favorite scriptures! That’s the confidence we all need to carry us! Beautifuly written!
I love that idea. So many times we go to God with a laundry list or a set of demands and are all about getting our will done. Instead we need to search the word and discover His will and pray that! We need to humble ourselves in prayer and ask for Him to make it plain what He wants and for the His best in our lives and in our world!
I love this, Cassie. Sometimes we think He doesn’t hear or answer our prayers. But, like you said it is according to His will, not ours.
Thanks, Stacy! I’ve often wondered if He’s even heard my prayers. But, duh, the Bible says He does. Sometimes it takes a bit for it to sink in for me. 🙂