Asking God to Listen

I came across these words in the psalms: "Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob." Ps. 84:8 Do these words sound redundant? Why should we have to ask God to listen? Are we not sure that God is listening?

I believe that these words go to a deeper level. They display the humility in which the psalmist approaches prayer. The psalmist knows his place in the scheme of creation. He is the creature and God is the Creator.

To ask God "to hear" might sound like a plea; but after all as Martin Luther said about prayer: We are all beggars. We come to God in our sinfulness and hope that God will hear what we have to say.

These words of the psalmist give us direction about our posture in prayer. We can take nothing for granted. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging our humbleness, our need before God.

Praying with God's Attributes in Mind

It might be easy for us to come to God in prayer and not really reflect on this Being to whom we are praying. What is it about God that has meaning for our time in prayer and is the reason that we pray at all?

I believe the psalmist gives us some direction here. We have the words of Psalm 86: "But you, O Lord are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." (vs. 15)

The psalmist asserted his own condition of being poor and needy in the beginning and now includes these words about God's character in his prayer. What do we make of this inclusion?

I believe it is that the psalmist is saying he understands the kind of God that he has. For the psalmist's benefit, it is showing how he places trust for what he is praying.

Have you ever included such words as part of a prayer? What did it feel like? How might you do it in the future?

Your New Year's Wish

It's that time of year that we seek to make New Year's resolutions. We look how things went last year and think of what needs to be changed or perhaps what new we want to launch into for this new this year.

I wonder, too, what it is that you would want to pray for in this new year in relation to your own life. Maybe there is something specific you want to accomplish or possibly a bad habit to eliminate.

I wonder, too, if there is anything in your relationship with God you would like to see happen. For me, it is to spend more time in communion with God, reading Scripture and especially to be listening for God throughout the day. I know I will need to use prayer to ask God to help me find the time for this throughout each day and to have the attentiveness.

Believing in the power of prayer can be what is needed as we seek to draw closer to God in this new year.

Your Christmas Prayer

Christmas comes to us as a time of praise and joy. The pink candle of Advent reminds us of rejoicing in this season. The angels at the time of Jesus birth spoke those words: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those who whom he is pleased." Luke 2:14

Churches in this season will be offering up prayers for peace and good will. It is appropriate amid all of the warfare and violence that we see taking place.

However, what will be the focus of your praying at this time of the year? Are there any concerns that you feel would be appropriate to lift up to God in prayer?

The prayers of Israel were answered by God sending the Messiah in the fullness of time. We can also believe that God will continue to hear the prayers of his people.

May the blessings of the Christ-child be in your heart.

Praying with Conviction

We can pray with little confidence in what we pray for; it's as if we think there is only a slim chance that the prayer will be answered. Why might this be? Maybe we feel we are unworthy. Maybe we we feel the timing is off for us. Maybe we feel God may not really care that much about me.

Note the conviction that the psalmist had in addressing God: "For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. " Psalm 62:5-7.

We do need to look at our image of God as we pray. Do you have a God who is your fortress and a mighty rock? What you believe about God will make a difference in how you pray and even with your expectations.

Do you believe in a great God who can do all things? What is the measure of your faith?

When you do believe strongly in a God who is everything to you, you then can pray with conviction.

Knowing that Others Are Praying for You

The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians: "I have not stopped giving thanks in God for you. I remember you in my prayers and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him." Eph. 1:16-17.

Paul desired to pray for the Christians in Ephesus. He is most thankful for their acceptance of the Gospel. In the beginning of the letter, he enunciates the blessings believers receive in Christ.

Now, think, too, from the vantage point of the readers of this letter. They are informed that Paul is praying for them. The one who brought them the Gospel continues this relationship with them.

What is it like to know that someone is praying for you?

I believe we have to look at the perspective from the person on the receiving end. It is comforting to know that someone else is so concerned about your welfare as to pray for you. Think now of what it must mean to say to someone: "I'll be praying for you."

Prayer Changing Us

Prayer is usually looked upon and used was a way to change circumstances. You pray for a neighbor who is sick. You pray for peace in the Middle East. You pray to pass a course at school.

However, might not the very act of praying also change you as a person? Yes, reflect on this for a moment. It probably won't come with just a quick prayer here and there. Rather, as you are deeply engaged in the act of praying, prayer has the power to change you.

Maybe you will come to realize your dependence on God after many hours of praying. You can't go through life alone. You need divine power and help. Maybe you realize that since your prayer doesn't seem to be answered the way you would like, God has a different destiny for you that changes your inner being.

I believe that this change is often a neglected part of prayer. I do believe that God wants to shape us through this holy act of praying. As we are in conversation with God, we also might be changed (for the better) in the process.