taken in part from a sermon by Pastor Vince Gerhardy
If we took prayer seriously then we wouldn't hesitate to be persistent and consistent in the time we spend in conversation with God.
If we really believe that God is a God of love, forgiveness, compassion and gentleness;
that he can change us, heal broken lives and restore severed relationships,
then we would really be serious about praying to him. In fact, if we really believed this then no-one and nothing would be able to keep us from praying.
If we took prayer seriously then we wouldn't hesitate to be persistent and consistent in the time we spend in conversation with God.
If we really believe that God is a God of love, forgiveness, compassion and gentleness;
that he can change us, heal broken lives and restore severed relationships,
then we would really be serious about praying to him. In fact, if we really believed this then no-one and nothing would be able to keep us from praying.
I believe one of the big issues that we face in our praying is that we don’t come to God in helplessness and with an earnestness. We are often far too half-hearted about what we are praying and don’t really believe that God will really give us what is for our good.
If we really believed that God hears and answers our prayers, if we were convinced that prayer changes things, heals broken lives, and restores severed relationships then we would be hammering on God's door constantly, asking, seeking and knocking, and waiting, our trust sometimes fainting, sometimes growing angry. In the face of every difficulty we would not lose heart, but consistently and persistently keep on going to God even though we have become discouraged.
If his answers depended on us, on how well we pray, on how well we have lived as God's people, then we could never expect to have our prayers answered.
Keep on praying even if the whole situation looks hopeless in our eyes.
Sometimes we may doubt, we may be angry, we may be upset, we may question "why?" but he is always ready to listen.
People who pray honestly in anger can grow in faith and develop an honest faith.
Throughout the Psalms, David expresses his anger and frustration with God from time to time, but he doesn't let his anger get in the way of his relationship with God. And just as much as he had angry questions for God, he also found his greatest comfort in God. So, ask the questions. Get on your knees and pray for guidance and comfort.
Instead of letting your anger block God, use your anger to let God in. Tell Him everything. Confide in Him your deepest, darkest fears and concerns. He ALREADY knows your fears and concerns. He knows your sorrows and counts your tears. You may never get all the answers, but you may just get the comfort you need.
People who pray honestly in anger can grow in faith and develop an honest faith.
Throughout the Psalms, David expresses his anger and frustration with God from time to time, but he doesn't let his anger get in the way of his relationship with God. And just as much as he had angry questions for God, he also found his greatest comfort in God. So, ask the questions. Get on your knees and pray for guidance and comfort.
Instead of letting your anger block God, use your anger to let God in. Tell Him everything. Confide in Him your deepest, darkest fears and concerns. He ALREADY knows your fears and concerns. He knows your sorrows and counts your tears. You may never get all the answers, but you may just get the comfort you need.
|