Genesis 24:12-15 “Then he said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Behold here I stand by the well of water…let her be the one You have appointed… And it happened, before he had finished speaking that behold…the young woman was very beautiful…” Genesis 24:26 “Then the servant bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. And he said, ‘Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and truth toward my master.'”
Prayer is one way we talk with God. And if we doubt His ear, listen to the words of Abraham’s servant. Even before He had finished asking God to give him success in his task to find a wife for Isaac, God sent Rebekah to the servant just as requested in every detail.
Some ask, ‘but why do we have to pray?’ Deliverance and mercy are not a given. Psalm 7:3-5 says, “O Lord my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands, If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause; Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; Yes, let him trample my life to the earth, And lay my honor in the dust.” Given the many times I fail at being kind, forgiving, and humble, I cannot be sure that I deserve divine help. Getting my heart attitude right is a pre-requisite in asking for God’s intervention. Psalm 7:9-10. “Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart.”
Therefore, my faith in God’s deliverance cannot depend on my belief in my own goodness or good works. For even I do not always understand my own heart, what motivates me to speak or be silent, or what defenses I employ to salvage my dignity or get my way. Some days, loving God and doing right seem so clear, so pure, so easy. Other days, I am astounded at the little uglies that ooze out of small wounds still festering in my soul. What can I do about this? Luke tells a story about a certain centurion servant who was not a Hebrew, but who asked Jesus to heal his beloved servant. However, the centurion did not want Jesus to even enter his home. The man said, “Therefore, I did not even think myself worthy to come to You.” Being honest and open with God when I pray strips away the falsehood of self-righteousness.
Is this why I doubt my prayers are heard? Yes, and more to the point, I have sinned. Is my self-worth getting in the way of faith? Probably, though I will never be good enough to have earned the right to sit and talk to Jesus. Then is it possible to have faith in God’s goodness without being worthy? Yes, in fact, this is the Gospel. This sacrificial love from Christ given to me; His eyes of forgiveness looking tenderly at me; His powerful touch of healing and comfort reaching to the core of my needs and disregarding my inadequacy. Unconditional love because under no condition could I be good enough to deserve His love.
I wish I could promise Him that I will be the saint He has called me to be. Instead, I pray that He will keep making all things work together for my good, for I love God, and I believe He has called me according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 personalized for me). And since Christ justifies and intercedes for me, then no one can separate me from His love.
He listens to me then, not because of what I do, but because He loves me. Can you believe that simple childhood song, “Jesus loves me” is still the foundation of all that matters in this world? How much He loves me is my assurance in answered prayer.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You alone know my brokenness and my concerns. I lay them all at Your feet. You gift me strength and courage. You comfort me with peace that passes all understanding. You say that I am Yours. And I believe.
Jansuwilkinson
Sixty-six books in a year 