With prayer the wounded are healed. I believe that through prayer that which was dead can live again. I do believe in prayer. It is through prayer that we discover what it is that God wants us to do. But I do not believe that we use prayer to tell God what to do and when to do it.
God knows what we need and when is the best time for each one of us to receive that which He has in store for us. God sees and knows the big picture while our vision is limited by many constraints. There are physical constraints, emotional constraints- how many times in our lives has it been best that our first prayers were not answered?- spiritual constraints. But God purposed from the very beginning a way for us to move past these constraints and thus He is intimately involved in our lives. When we engage in prayer it is that time when we recognize God for who He is and also for who we are. It is a humbling personal time.
God, knowing our limited vision also knows that because of this we really don’t know what to pray so He intercedes on our behalf and through prayer our faith grows. Through prayer we trust God to be who He promised Himself to be and answer our prayers. It is a unique circle – we pray not knowing to pray- God moves us to pray in the manner that is needed –He answers our prayer in His perfect way – our faith and trust in Him grow and we pray asking Him to show us His way-, not fully knowing what to pray for-. And the circle continues.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:6-8
Singing His Praises!
Mark