As I told you yesterday, I am sharing again today a powerful devotion from Max Lucado. I pray it speaks to you the way it did to me: Those who pray keep alive the watch fires of faith. For the most part we don't even know their names. Such is the case of someone who prayed on a day long ago. His name is not important. He is important not because of who he was, but because of what he did. He went to Jesus on behalf of a friend. His friend was sick, and Jesus could help, and someone needed to go to Jesus, so someone went. Others cared for the sick man in other ways. Some brought food; others provided treatment; still others comforted the family. Each role was crucial. Each person was helpful, but no one was more vital than the one who went to Jesus. John writes: "So Mary and Martha sent *someone* to tell Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick'" (John 11:3, emphasis mine). Someone carried the request. Someone walked the trail. Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus. And because someone went, Jesus responded. In the economy of heaven, the prayers of saints are a valued commodity. John the apostle would agree. He wrote the story of Lazarus and was careful to show the sequence: The healing began when the request was made. The phrase the friend of Lazarus used is worth noting. When he told Jesus of the illness, he said, "The one you love is sick." The power of the prayer, in other words, does not depend on the one who makes the prayer but on the one who hears the prayer. We can and must repeat the phrase in manifold ways. "The one you love is tired, sad, hungry, lonely, fearful, depressed." The words of the prayer vary, but the response never changes. The Savior hears the prayer. He silences heaven so he won't miss a word. The Master heard the request. Jesus stopped whatever he was doing and took note of the man's words. This anonymous courier was heard by God. John's message is critical. You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God—and he listens. Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. "The smoke from the incense went up from the angel's hand to God" (Rev. 8:4). Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God. One call and heaven's fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God's power in heaven. You are the someone of God's kingdom. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don't need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought! When you speak, Jesus hears. And when Jesus hears, the world is changed. All because someone prayed. I want to make sure I speak to God every single day! Amen? Blessings! Pastor Rusty
This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope you will as well.
Friday, February 6, 2009
When you pray, God hears
Posted by Rusty L. Blann at 12:01 AM
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3 comments:
Absolutely ... God hears and He knows my name. I call my driving to work time, my quiet time - I ride and I talk to God daily. Every single day I pray for my husband, my children, my family, my pastor and his family, my friends, and myself. I ask God daily to give me a good attitude, to let others see God in me and to somehow let me be a witness to others. I am finding day by day that others do see Jesus in me in small ways sometimes but I know people are watching. My prayer is that I don't stumble but stand fast in my love for Him. Thanks for sharing the blog. I love it. You are such a joy to us.
Lynn
Yes, God certain hears our prayers and He knows my name. I love reading your blog and I am reminded of my daily ritual of driving to work from Marion to downtown Memphis. I often don't even remember my path as this is my quiet time - my prayer time. I pray for my husband, my sons, my family, my pastor and his family, my friends, my co-workers and for me. I pray that God will use me every day with an attitude for him, where my actions speak louder than words and when others are watching, that I don't stumble or disappoint. I pray that others see Jesus in me and that someone I will be an influence to them. I pray earnestly for my son who is not living his life for God and is caught up in the world and the Generation Y syndrome. I also pray for my teenager who faces challenges and temptations daily. I pray that God convicts them daily and holds them in His hands. I also thank God for sending me my dear husband. What a joy he has been to me. I am living proof that you can love again and that God does give "second chances". Thanks for letting me share my heart.
What an awesome testimony to the power of prayer. It blessed me today in ways you couldn't imagine. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
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