Thinking About Prayer

Today is set aside for a national day of prayer. A time for we the people to collectively recognize God in all his power and glory. To praise him and thank him for the many blessings he has poured out on this nation and its people. Truly, a day of reflection and thankfulness.

So today is also the day I would have to run into the one person who has to be the voice of reason, so they think. The one who wants to ask the "big" theological question, designed to rain on my day of celebration.

"If God is in charge and all knowing, why would he ever consider changing his mind because of prayer?"

At this point I am thinking "Really!" Why do you feel the need to ask me this question today? Then I realize it is a good question, even if it was asked with questionable intent. So I ask myself if this is a sign of confusion or weakness on God's part? The word no comes quickly to mind. The fact that an all powerful and gracious God alters his intentions due to the prayers of his people is not a sign of confusion or weakness. On the contrary, it is a sign of his omnipotence. When he chooses to yield to the petitions of his people, he shows his greatness.

The fact that God answers prayer shows that he is God. That he is engaged in the lives of his people and he listens to them. God, out of his grace, compels us to pray, to cry out in times of praise and in times of need. He responds because he hears our prayer, because he is God.  So let us all be thankful and share the words of Psalmist:

" Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for you, O Lord, I lift up my soul." Psalm 86:1-4 Amen!

RefRev