Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

We’re back to the mystery of faith, coupled with the privilege of prayer. I think every human being has the instinct of prayer, but that can take many forms. On the one hand prayer seems illogical, since even Jesus said that “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8) However, Jesus also famously told us to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) And then we have this verse, that couples the results of prayer to our faith. It’s enough to tempt us to throw up our hands and give up, and sadly, many do. The thing is, in genuine prayer we grow closer to the One to whom we are praying, and that is desirable indeed. It is an interesting psychological phenomenon that we tend to feel close to those to whom we give things, or for whom we do things. I think that’s closely tied to Paul’s quote of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) God enjoys the blessing of giving us stuff, but being the perfect Father He wants to give us only things that will be for our benefit, and do it in ways that will help us grow. God is not a vending machine, and it does us no good to treat Him that way. However, He does delight to give us things and do things for us that line up with His perfect plans for us.

I have commented before that I grew up in a home where prayer was as natural as breathing, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I knew early on that God is always listening, so why not talk to Him? As a father, I know that it pleases me when my children want to talk to me, and I am convinced God is the same way. I do pray many times throughout each day, but not much of it is formal in any way. I am very thankful for the gift of tongues, because using that I can pray while I’m focused on something else, like driving. I have experienced God granting many of my prayers, but I have also prayed many things that I haven’t seen come to pass – yet. A persistent prayer, in a sense inherited from my parents, is for a massive outpouring of God’s Spirit on this nation, bringing repentance and faith for salvation. That one I haven’t seen happen yet, and past experience can make my faith get wobbly. I cannot dictate a time frame, but I do believe this is something God wants to do. I am to keep myself available for However He wants to use me, but I am not to insist that I be the instrument of His power. I am not to give up praying, just as Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow, (Luke 18:1-8) but rather keep pressing in so that God’s kingdom may be established as His will is done, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You are doing in and around me. Thank You for leading me to retire from secular teaching at the end of this school year. I don’t know what You want to do with me from this point, but I belong to You and I ask that Your kingdom indeed come in this nation, for the salvation of multitudes and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!