“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In times of want, prayer can be difficult. How do we put pain and disappointment into words? Why must we endure repeating the same thing over and over, only to hear nothing? If our supplications only go so far as the ceiling, why are we bothering?
Perhaps we begin to notice that others have prayed for the same thing, only to quickly receive what we have begged for. Years and years of requests appear to have gone unheeded, for no good reason and no good change.
But that’s not the case. Our prayers for specific things may not change our situation, but they do change us in ways we do not expect. They reinforce our dependence on God and draw us nearer to Him. We must continue to go to Him with our requests. Each time we do, we testify that we are safe in God’s limitless mercy.
Also, we are reminded that His ways aren’t our ways. They make us more Christ-like, which is the ultimate goal of our lives. Our repeated prayers may not ever be answered the way we would like them to be. But they are not useless, and they do not go unnoticed.
Perhaps we begin to notice that others have prayed for the same thing, only to quickly receive what we have begged for. Years and years of requests appear to have gone unheeded, for no good reason and no good change.
But that’s not the case. Our prayers for specific things may not change our situation, but they do change us in ways we do not expect. They reinforce our dependence on God and draw us nearer to Him. We must continue to go to Him with our requests. Each time we do, we testify that we are safe in God’s limitless mercy.
Also, we are reminded that His ways aren’t our ways. They make us more Christ-like, which is the ultimate goal of our lives. Our repeated prayers may not ever be answered the way we would like them to be. But they are not useless, and they do not go unnoticed.
Scripture Focus
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28
Insight
“Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping.” (Psalm 39:12a)
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 21-22
- Psalm 114
- 1 Corinthians 3-4
