How is Your Communication?
“And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.” Luke 11:2 (ESV)
I think in today’s fast-passed world we forget how to communicate well with each other. Even when it comes to prayer. We become discouraged when God doesn’t answer our prayers immediately. Sometimes we don’t give it time to wait on God’s answer. You see, sometimes He answers our prayers right away — with a yes or no. Other times He tells us to wait for His perfect time.
Since my husband and I work both full-time outside the home, we communicate during the work-week via email. Most of the time I will ask my husband about dinner or other things that come to mind. The other day I mentioned that our son wanted a particular dish for dinner. I knew that it was not my husband’s favorite dish, so I was waiting on his answer with a little pit in my stomach. Would he say yes or no? Would he be okay with it? When his answer arrived in my inbox, I knew that he wasn’t thrilled about dinner plans. Not that he said flat out no, just how he said it: “I guess it is okay…”.
Do we sometimes hear God say “I guess it is okay…” but in all reality He is telling us to wait on Him? Luther said once about prayer: ‘ For one dare not forget that prayer has two component parts: talking and listening. How can we expect God to listen to us if we do not listen to Him? As a rule, we think of prayer only when we are in trouble up to our ear.’ I have to admit that most of the time I send up a prayer because of stressful situations but forget to thank Him. And sometimes I even stop praying over a certain situation, because I believe that God is not hearing my prayer and I don’t want to ‘bother’ Him over and over with the same prayer.
Are you praying over a situation right now and do not seem to receive an answer from Him? Don’t give up! He hears your prayer, but maybe His answer is: “Wait”.
Lord of Heaven and Earth. Help us to listen to Your answer. We know You hear our prayers. You answer always comes at the right time. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen
What a great lesson. I am one of those who are guilty of praying in stressful times. Yesterday I did take time out after working in the yard to let him know how much I appreciate all he has given me.
See we will be moving from this house I have grew up in and have lost communication with some of my family over this. After doing the grass and cleaning up the kids toys, I sat on the step and thanked him. I could have fallen into the stressful please help me prayer, and hurry my house, but I didnt.
He has been so good to me and I need to tell him in prayer more often than I do.
reminds me of an old Garth Brooks song … a line that says “I thank God for unanswered prayers” and I always got mad when I heard that b/c I never believed there were unanswered prayers he either says yes/no/or wait!
Great post!
Thanks Iris,
I need to remember to give thanks when I see God in my life. I will work on that this week. Love this post!!!
Raises this question… what is prayer anyway? is it just the asking… or do the exclamations and quiet gasps over a day’s beauty count?
Sometimes we have to persevere in prayer for years! Never give up!–a very timely reminder.
I’ve added your button to my sidebar. God’s blessings to you on this new blog.
That’s so true, quite often we’re too busy talking to God to hear him answering us and also sometimes it looks like nothing is going on when God is working behind the scenes.
I found that listening to praise music will lift me up in a prayerful, thankful, mood. I use this when I feel empty in my prayers,and most of the time it brings me to my knees emotionally. Right where I should have been all along.
My husband and I work at home together (on different floors) and like you, we e-mail and phone each other frequently! This is a very good reminder that God’s answer is sometimes “wait.” I liken it to waiting for a seed to germinate. We plant and then we must wait for the leaves to sprout. Sometimes it’s the same with prayer. GB!