Does God hear my prayers?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Does God hear our prayers?
This is a good question.
How do you know if someone hears you?
Based on personal experience…I would say there are two main ways: 1) A person responds with appropriate words, i.e. talks back to you, or 2) a person does what you asked them to do.
Perhaps what leads us to ask this question about prayer to God is that a) he doesn’t always talk back to us, or answer directly and b) we don’t always receive what we asked him to do.
But maybe we have to take a step back.
Is there a scenario where God wouldn’t hear our prayers?
The short answer is yes, and you might be surprised at how often it could occur.
Isaiah 59:1-2 says this:
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
If we live in sin or have no solution for sin, i.e. forgiveness in Jesus, God doesn’t hear, that is , listen to our prayers. Sin separates us from God and breaks the relationship with the Lord. Until the issue is solved by faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God doesn’t respond to our prayers or anyone else outside the saving work of Jesus.
Sure people pray. But perhaps the clearest example of how groups of people can pray and God doesn’t respond until one of his own children offer up a prayer to him is Elijah and the prophets of Baal. (See 1 Kings 18). 450 Baal prophets “prayed” to Baal to send fire. NO response. Elijah, the prophet of the true God prayed to the Lord to send fire…he did.
When the issue of sin is solved, we can be confident our prayers are heard by our heavenly Father.
But what if he doesn’t speak back or answer how I prayed?
Perhaps there are times when we are praying that we “hear” God respond. Perhaps not audibly, but by the Spirit of God bringing to our mind and heart the Word and promises of God. The Word is the primary way God communicates. As his Word is on our mind and heart, God can bring his truth in response to our prayers. Hebrews 1:1-2 says,
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
If we measure if God hears us by how many times he gives us what we ask for in the time in which we asked for it, we may be missing out on how God is answering. God always gives what is best for us, not always what we want. God answering our prayer may be a “yes,” a “no,” or a “not yet.” His promise is this: (Matthew 7:9-11)
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
God will always give us what he knows is best for us.
Does God hear your prayers?
As you are a child of God through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, confidently say yes.
He hears you and speaks to you in his Word. He hears you and does what is best for you!
Apply: What prayers recently have you been confident God heard and answered for you?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for removing the barrier of sin by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for working faith in our hearts to trust Jesus as our Savior and know that you always work things out for our good and the advancement of your Gospel message. AMEN.
What is Prayer?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
What is prayer?
Does God hear my prayers?
Is there a wrong way to pray?
Does prayer really do anything?
What am I supposed to pray for?
These and other questions arise when we think about and discuss the gift of prayer. This week’s devotions will tackle these questions (and maybe another one or two).
What is prayer?
At its simple definition, prayer is talking to God in words and thoughts. Perhaps this is best reflected in Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Prayer is worship. Last week we talked about worship being our response to who God is and what he has done for us. Prayer is an expression of faith directed to the God who loves us and desires to hear from us.
Prayer is a privilege for those that are the children of God. Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Prayer is based in a relationship. Prayer is always directed to the being we think or have a relationship with. I don’t pray to someone or something a) I don’t have a relationship with and b) don’t think will listen or respond.
Think of an analogy of a parent. You can have your child in a playgroup with many other kids. They are talking, yelling, and even some crying for mom or dad. Not until your child cries out, “MOM!” do your ears perk up and you begin to listen to what your child desires or needs. So it is with prayer. Prayer is an expression of faith and trust of a child of God who knows and trusts God to answer. Sure, people around the world people are praying to all different entities…Buddha, Allah, and many other gods, but these are prayers the true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit does not listen to (We’ll unpack that more tomorrow).
So, as a child of God, God invites you as a dear child to talk to him as your dear Father. Martin Luther put it this way in his explanation to the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven.
What does this mean? With these words, God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.
So, enjoy the blessing of prayer. Enjoy the relationship God has established with you and trust his promise:
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Apply: When something is on your mind today…let God know. Call out to him, ask, seek, knock!
Prayer: (Your turn – simply express to God what is on your heart this morning.)
Worship is…life…every day!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 11: Worship”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Every one of us has a birthday. The day we entered the visible world and were given a name, claimed by a family, and marked the beginning of life on this earth. A birthday is a celebration of life. As a kid, you started counting the days to your next birthday the day after your birthday party! The older you get, you’d like to slow time down a bit!
Each one of us will have a death day (not to be morbid, but it is real). Just yesterday marked three years since a founding member of our church went to heaven and just yesterday a former member also went to heaven. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Today is what we have.
So make today matter.
How?
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 8:15
15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
Isaiah wrote in 22:13
But see, there is joy and revelry,
slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep,
eating of meat and drinking of wine!
“Let us eat and drink,” you say,
“for tomorrow we die!”
From which we get the phrase, “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”
Is this really what life is all about? Using each day to GET something for ourselves?
Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s reflection on a world that lacks meaning without a God perspective. Isaiah relates how God was calling his people to repentance, but they were partying hard.
A look at the broader context of each of these passages suggests that this becomes life’s purpose when we don’t see God’s perspective and call on our lives.
Perhaps even more important than our birthday is our spiritual birthday, the day God’s Spirit worked faith in our heart through the power of the Gospel message in baptism or in the hearing of God’s truth.
When God’s Spirit came to work in our hearts, it gives a different perspective to each day. It is a day not for self-gratification, but it is a day for God-glorification!
The psalmist captures the perspective:
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Every day is a day of rejoicing…of worship! What does that look like?
Perhaps it is summarized in Jesus’ two commands:
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Daily worship is expressing our full devotion to the Lord for who he is and what he has done.
1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Daily worship is extending the love we have been shown in Christ to others.
1 Peter 4:8,10 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. …10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Birthdays are milestones, yet each day is a reason to celebrate and maximize the day that has been given to you. One day it will be your last, and then let it be said of us, “He/She spent their life in worship…loving God for all he is and all he’s done and loving others just as they had been loved.”
Worship is life…every day.
Apply: How does life take on more meaning and significance when you look at each day as a gift and opportunity to love God and love the people in your life?
Prayer: Father, thank you for each day that you give us. Let our lives truly be ones captivated by your love for us so that we spend every day in joyful, worshipful response to who you are and all you have done for us! AMEN.
Worship is…Freely Given!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 11: Worship”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Why did God put the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden?
Genesis 2:15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Ever had this question…been asked that question?
I was asked again recently in my confirmation class.
It is hard to understand if eating from this tree brought sin, evil, and death into the world…why would God even create the chance for that to happen?
Let’s take a step back.
If I make a robot and program it to always pick up my shoes and put them back in their rack at 10pm every day, would I say that robot is worshipping? No. It is just doing what it was programmed to do. Would I say that robot is loving me and appreciating me for who I am and what I have done for the robot? No. It’s just doing what it was programmed to do.
When someone else, who doesn’t have to, picks up my shoes and puts them away, that is a show of love (or just a desire to have the house picked up…or both!)
God did not create robots. He created people with whom he desired to have a relationship. A forced relationship…a robotic relationship…a programmed relationship has no room for love and worship. Only when one is free to chose NOT to love, is love genuine. Only when one is able to choose NOT to worship, is worship genuine.
Love is a response to the One who loved us first. Worship is the same. Worship is our response to who God is and what he has done for us. It looks for the way to honor him.
I guess you could say that Adam and Eve could worship by taking care of the Garden of Eden as God commanded – but they were also free to NOT take care of the garden. I guess you could say that Adam and Eve could worship by treating each other as the loving partner God had made them to be…but they were also free to NOT act in love toward each other. God also gave them the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil as a means to express their love for God and his Word by listening to his direction and NOT eating from the tree. By its very name, it presented the reality that there was another potential in the world…evil. This tree was a reminder.
Worship is always freely given. God has always desired that the relationship we enjoy with him and the expression of worship that flows from that relationship is one that is freely given. Sure God has given over the centuries ways for us to express that worship and honor who he is and what he has done for us, but he also has allowed worship to flow freely in however we are led to respond to his love and grace.
In the absence of worship of God, sin and worship of self fills the void. Satan used the Tree of Knowledge to cause Adam and Eve to question the wisdom and goodness of God. As a result, they responded in sin to what they were deceived to think they were lacking and then lost sight for a moment who God is and what he had done for them. Worship stopped. Sin started.
Worship is what we were created to do because we were created to know God and be the recipients of all his goodness. Yet that worship was to be freely given in response to all God gave.
Even in spite of the sin of Adam and Eve and all since…including you and me, God’s desire still is that we know him for who he is as our loving Creator and Savior, and honor him for what he has done for us – restoring what our sin has broken.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Apply: What leads you to feel like worship is “demanded” versus “freely given.”
Prayer: Lord thank you for revealing to us who you are. Thank you for all you have done for us. Lead our worship to be always done, not out of compulsion, but out of a heart truly impacted by you and your love. AMEN.
Worship is…Contagious!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 11: Worship”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Have you ever started laughing because someone near you was laughing? Researchers have studied the phenomenon and proven that the way the brain reacts to the sound of laughter prepares and triggers the muscles to respond in the same way.
Is worship contagious? Is YOUR worship contagious?
I consulted the almost all-knowing Google to determine the answer to this question and found nothing of substance to prove that worship is inherently contagious.
But let me share a few anecdotal thoughts.
When around people who are worshipping (in prayer, singing, reflection on the Word, etc.) and responding to the greatness of God and the personal impact that has had on them, one can’t help but feel inspired by the heart-felt energy that comes from one who has been touched by the Gospel.
When someone cries, you feel like crying with them. When someone prays from the heart, you feel like praying with them. When you are having a crummy day and someone is praising God for the good and the bad of the day, you feel like your day just got better.
The reality is that when you are around the LORD and his people as they worship, it makes you want to do the same. When they are not, the enthusiasm to worship wanes.
Haven’t we all experienced a corporate worship setting where the singing is weak, the responses half-hearted and the sermon mundane? Do you feel like going back? Probably not (and I pray you haven’t experienced that at our church!)
But when you step into a setting where there is passion behind the singing (even if it’s a “joyful noise), where there is love in the interactions, and depth to the preaching, one is more likely to desire to return.
Because worship is contagious. It affects the people around you.
One example from the Bible is the account in Acts 16:
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Why is worship contagious? Because the Spirit of God that is at work in you to produce the worship response is the same Spirit that works in the hearts of those around to create a similar response. In this case, the worship and witness of Paul and Silas affected the prisoners, but especially the jailor and his family. By the end of the evening, he too was “filled with joy” and probably singing a song or two with Paul and Silas!
But the contagion of worship didn’t stop with the jailor. God moved the jailor to respond to the worship of Paul and Silas, and God moved the family of the jailor to respond to the witness of the jailor. Who knows who was affected beyond that.
All because Paul and Silas were led to worship in prison. Their voices lifted up words in song and prayer and their hands lifted up actions to love and serve.
When you respond to who God is and what he has done for you, God can use it to lead others to do the same!
Apply: It is a fine line between worshipping to be “seen by people” versus the reality that others will see your worship. What opportunities do you have to worship through which God might work his Spirit in those that witness your worship?
Prayer:
1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.