Having so many friends and loved ones suffering with health issues and other problems right now, I've been feeling a little bit overwhelmed as my prayer list continues to grow daily. I pray for each one on that list, but I still feel helpless about their situations and I keep wondering, what can I do for them? Take a meal, visit, run errands, etc...? Yes, those are all nice things. But, my heart yearns to make a real difference in their situations.
But, I know that prayer IS the answer. And I do pray. In fact, when someone requests prayer, or when I feel led to pray for someone, I try not to hesitate, I try to pray for that person right away. How meaningless, and scary, even, is it to promise to pray for someone, TELL them you are praying for them, and yet never do it? I have often wondered how many “prayer promises” are out there that are never really filled.
So, I do pray for others, often and on a regular basis. However, sometimes lately I have felt that my prayers were "lacking" in some way. Not that they are lacking fervency, or aren’t sincere. But for some reason, I was just feeling that when I prayed, it was to God who is "way up there"...and I was wondering if my prayers were really making a difference. Are they being heard? Am I praying the "right" prayers? I mean, I pray for the will of God, and yet I know that often times I find myself praying for what I want, or what others have requested me to pray….and then “cover it” with a hastily tacked on, “but above all, I pray for Your will, Father!” Is that appropriate? Probably not…at least not always.
I have been longing for more of the presence of God when I am praying. I long to have His reassurance WHEN I pray, WHILE I am praying….reassurance that He is there, close by, listening, hearing my prayers, and answering them. I trust Him for the answers, no matter what they are...but my concern is how can I KNOW what those answers are?! How can I REST in the assurance that He is listening, answering…?
Well, after some prayer, thought, and reading on this subject, I have been reminded of the importance of praying "intercessory prayers"...in other words, praying through the Bible, through God's promises in His Word! When we pray God's promises, we pray with the answers in mind. He promises, we believe. This is faith. When we pray His Word, we are praying by faith, knowing, by this faith, that He is working His will in our lives and in the lives of those for whom we are praying.
I have such a desire to learn to pray the promises of God more, and they are right there in the Scriptures! Why haven't I made the Bible my prayer book before now? I have even heard it said before that we should never pray without reading the Bible, and that we should never read the Bible without praying!
I am making an effort every day to pray with my Bible, through my Bible, and to memorize His promises in the Scripture. If you are doing the same, I would love to hear about your experience with this. What promises of God have held special meaning in your prayers? Are you feeling the presence of God? Are you feeling the reassurance of His answers through His promises? I love that God has told us that CHRIST is the ULTIMATE YES! ALL of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, Who is the Word!
“You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” - 2 Corinthians: 17-20
It would be a privilege to pray for you! If you would like for me to pray for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know your concerns. I promise to pray God’s promises for you!
Blessings!
Tron :)
