In the Bible, God commands people, multiple times, to pray. But why do we need to pray? This is a question many Christians, have asked through the years. They ask, if God is in control of human history, and also directs individual lives, what’s the point of praying? The answer lies in understanding what prayer is.
If we see prayer merely as a means of taking some level of control of our life and the world around us, (incorrectly by the way, as a means of leverage), then we will inevitably be troubled by what appears to be unanswered prayer. But if we see prayer, primarily as an ongoing conversation with God, then we’ll realize there is really no such thing as an unanswered prayer.
Prayer is a conversation between us and God, and He promises to listen us, especially when speaking from our hearts. Sometimes we choose not to listen to what He says to us or how He answers. For reasons known only to Him, He may choose not to do what we ask of Him, because He has a better plan for us. It’s hard when someone says no, or even not yet, to what seems like a good and valid request. But God can see what we really need.
There is a verse in the Bible that is quoted often and many times misinterpreted, and it’s vital to the questions we’re asking today (see the beginning of the blog).
Psalm 37:4 (ESV), “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
I’ve heard it interpreted many different ways, but there are two explanations that are stated more often than any other.
1) When we focus on enjoying God, He will give us whatever we want.
2) If we take delight in God, over and above anything else in our life, He will shape our hearts so it wants the things He already wants to give us. His desires will become our desires.
It’s safe to say that the second interpretation is more consistent with the teaching of the rest of the Bible. Scripture does not guarantee God will provide us with whatever we want right now, but He will supply all our needs.
For instance, do you need a cherry red Maserati (a true masterpiece of Italian design) that runs anywhere starting from $72,000 to over $155,000? Or do you need an affordable car that won’t put you into great debt, with large car payments, high maintenance costs, and possible speeding tickets? Although the Maserati sounds great, is it what we really need.
What do you think God is going to give you when you ask for a car, something frivolous that may cause you a lot of trouble, or something you need? Of course, it’s what you need that will be foremost on His list of answers.
I’m not saying He will never give us the desires of our heart, because the Bible says in Luke 11:9 (ESV), “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
James tells us that if we want something, we should pray for it. But, James 4:3 (ESV) also says, “Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons.”
So, we need to talk to God about everything and share our feelings, hurts, happiness, needs and desires from our hearts and He will answer. It may be a Yes, No, Wait, or I have something better for you, but He will answer. The key is, we need to talk to God (which is prayer) and He will answer.
Remember, prayer is a conversation with God, and He desires for us to talk to Him.
Blessings and stay safe,
Pastor Chuck
If we see prayer merely as a means of taking some level of control of our life and the world around us, (incorrectly by the way, as a means of leverage), then we will inevitably be troubled by what appears to be unanswered prayer. But if we see prayer, primarily as an ongoing conversation with God, then we’ll realize there is really no such thing as an unanswered prayer.
Prayer is a conversation between us and God, and He promises to listen us, especially when speaking from our hearts. Sometimes we choose not to listen to what He says to us or how He answers. For reasons known only to Him, He may choose not to do what we ask of Him, because He has a better plan for us. It’s hard when someone says no, or even not yet, to what seems like a good and valid request. But God can see what we really need.
There is a verse in the Bible that is quoted often and many times misinterpreted, and it’s vital to the questions we’re asking today (see the beginning of the blog).
Psalm 37:4 (ESV), “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
I’ve heard it interpreted many different ways, but there are two explanations that are stated more often than any other.
1) When we focus on enjoying God, He will give us whatever we want.
2) If we take delight in God, over and above anything else in our life, He will shape our hearts so it wants the things He already wants to give us. His desires will become our desires.
It’s safe to say that the second interpretation is more consistent with the teaching of the rest of the Bible. Scripture does not guarantee God will provide us with whatever we want right now, but He will supply all our needs.
For instance, do you need a cherry red Maserati (a true masterpiece of Italian design) that runs anywhere starting from $72,000 to over $155,000? Or do you need an affordable car that won’t put you into great debt, with large car payments, high maintenance costs, and possible speeding tickets? Although the Maserati sounds great, is it what we really need.
What do you think God is going to give you when you ask for a car, something frivolous that may cause you a lot of trouble, or something you need? Of course, it’s what you need that will be foremost on His list of answers.
I’m not saying He will never give us the desires of our heart, because the Bible says in Luke 11:9 (ESV), “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
James tells us that if we want something, we should pray for it. But, James 4:3 (ESV) also says, “Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons.”
So, we need to talk to God about everything and share our feelings, hurts, happiness, needs and desires from our hearts and He will answer. It may be a Yes, No, Wait, or I have something better for you, but He will answer. The key is, we need to talk to God (which is prayer) and He will answer.
Remember, prayer is a conversation with God, and He desires for us to talk to Him.
Blessings and stay safe,
Pastor Chuck
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