There is a scene in The 13th Warrior, (a movie loosely based on the epic, Beowulf), where actor Antonio Banderas’s Arabian character looks anxiously to the heavens and says, “Are you listening, God?” The question makes me smile every time because I relate so well. There is no doubt in my mind that God is all-powerful, all-seeing, and all-knowing. I even believe in miracles such as recorded in Joshua 10:12 where we are told that God answered Joshua’s prayer for the sun to stand still and the moon to stop for an entire day to allow him to finish the battle with his enemies.
What I sometimes doubt is that I’ve done everything necessary to get my prayers answered. I totally believe that God is a personal God who cares about us, and that Jesus Christ our Savior even intercedes for us. I acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit to change me from the inside out and to make deep, silent prayers on my behalf. I enjoy meaningful communion with God when I go to my knees in prayer. It’s just that sometimes when I get up, having left my burden at the Cross, I still have no clue what to expect next.
Was my prayer aligned with God’s will? Did I do everything right to get His attention? Believe me, I’ve looked into this to see if there is a formula that works every time. I’ve search through books, listened to learned pastors, sought teachings, and participated in conferences on answered prayer. I’ve learned that Scripture does give guidance on getting our prayers answered.
For instance, we cannot have unforgiveness toward others. Make apologies. We must confess our sins and accept Christ’s redeeming blood. Nightly confessions. We should always pray and sometimes even fast in approaching God. No Little Debbie’s for a week and keep praying. We are told to go to God boldly, but remember to remain humble. Cry out and beat my chest. And above all, enter the spiritual realm though praise and thanksgiving to God. Make a gratitude list.
When all is done and I begin to wait expectantly, some well-meaning soul will say something like, ‘In this world we all will have trouble.’ Deflate.
Oh, to be like Jesus! When He came up from the baptismal water, He prayed and God answered immediately, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” (Luke 3:22)
To be honest, this declaration by God to the world gives me more hope and comfort than all the instruction on answered prayer. For in John 17:20-26, Jesus demonstrates God’s intent to love and accept us just the same as He loves Jesus. His prayer is “that they are one just as We are one…I in them, and You in Me…that [You] have loved them as You have loved Me…that the love with which You loved Me may be in them.”
This knowledge restores my wavering faith and stops these runaway fears. God listens to and answers my prayers, not because I am following a formula but because I am His daughter, and He is my Father who loves me.
Janet
Sixty-six books in a year 