Even though we, as God’s children, know better, our human nature kicks in more often than it should when it concerns prayer. Tell me if you have said or heard similar phrases such as these: (1) “Oh no, I never ask prayer for myself. I’ve already bothered the Lord too much with my many prayers for my family and friends.” (2) No, I never ask the Lord for any little thing that comes to my head. That would be selfish” (3) “God has bigger and more important things to worry about in this world. He’s too busy to pay attention to my unimportant prayers.” (4) “Why should I ask God for anything? He should know already what I want and need.”
Here are some bible truths that dispel these foolish ideas: (1) A great prophet of old once said: “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.” (Jeremiah 32:17) Does it matter that we have already prayed for all the people we know? Does God not have the power to answer the prayer of every person in the world at the same time? (2) Proverbs 3:6 says that we should “In all our ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct our paths.” To me, this means that we can ask His help in anything. (3) Jesus said: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” (Matthew 10:29) If a little bird’s life is important to God, imagine how much more important you are to Him. Regarding prayer, I tell our church members often: “If it is important to you, it is important to God.” (4) A blind man by the name of Bartimaeus was brought before the Lord and “Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.” (Mark 10:51) I’m sure you know that Jesus knew in advance what this blind man needed. Yet, He wanted to to hear his petition. Is it any different with you and me? Does He not know what we need even before we ask? Even so, He wants us to ask Him. May we never forget that God always wants to hear from us and may we never find an excuse not to pray.
God’s word for today: (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Pray without ceasing.”
