“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12
Stuff happens when we pray! If we could draw back the spiritual veil, our jaws would drop to see God commissioning His angels to action for us!
“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14
Satan, mad at being kicked off the angelic prayer loop, resorts to age-old schemes. Threatened by our faith-expressions, he tries to distract us from unleashing God’s power.
“The smoke of incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” Revelation 8:4
Our prayers are sacred trusts treasured by God. I shudder to think how easily I forget to present important requests to Creator God. That’s why I like prayer journaling. It keeps me focused.
“Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:15, 16
Jesus shows that prayer is the secret to successful ministry. Why do we expect to get away with less?
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
Does this mean we shouldn’t tell people we’re praying for them? Not necessarily. It does mean we should check our motives. Are we telling people to encourage them or are we telling them to pat ourselves on the back?
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7,8
Jesus’ prayers were heard for the same reason they were denied: He lived and died in complete submission to the Father.
“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me: yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Luke 22:41-43
A million hallelujahs that God’s flesh and blood paid the price!
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14,15
Let’s bless the Captain of Hosts, the hero of our hearts, with a fragrant praise offering! The one who was broken for our healing, waits here to hear from us!
“Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
What a joy to meet with you! I pray you were blessed. Please leave a comment and your name will be entered to win a free copy of “A Friend in the Storm.” Feel free to share this with a friend.
Jesus always answers our prayers even though the answers we get are not the ones we want. He has a bigger plan for us than what we have for ourselves. Tore923@aol.com
Quite true, Victoria. His big-picture perspective is 100% reliable. We can always trust the One who knows and loves us most!
Thanks for your post!
I’m so glad to know that God answers my prayers and…that the angels are interceding on my behalf. You helped me to re-learn and remember this. Thanks Cheryl.
I was praying for my son this morning as we drove to school. And…I want those angels working on his behalf also. He’s a Freshman!
I’m glad, Cheri! (And I needed that reminder myself.)
My son starts high school too. Indeed, our freshmen need daily Divine intervention.
I praise God ~ the fruit of our prayers goes ahead of us.
Stay faithful!
I really needed those verses. Sometimes I feel that my prayers are not heard. This reminds me of the verse, be still and know that I am God. The knowing part is easy, it’s the be still part I have problems with. I need to be reminded that it is His will and not mine and it is HIS timing and not mine.
Hi Julie,
I love that verse too. When worried we tend to feel anything but still, but that’s exactly what we need to feel ~ still in His Sovereign, capable hands.
I, too, need to remind myself that His timing is perfect, not mine. Things almost always feel like they take too long. But God is interested in the process as much as the result ~ because that’s where we birth patience.
Thanks for your comment,