On Prayer

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. Psalm 138:3 (NLT)

Do you ever struggle with prayer? I do. Sometimes, it feels a bit one-sided, as though I’m talking to myself rather than God. Answers aren’t always forthcoming, and although I know God hears and cares, at times, I wonder why He’s so silent.

How, then, could David state, “As soon as I pray, you answer me?” How come God answered his prayers as soon as they spilled from his lips? Was David privileged in God’s sight? Did he have a unique code or formula I don’t know about?

If we read on, verse 7 says, “Though I am surrounded by troubles…” Obviously, God did not whisk David away from his enemies nor resolve his problem with a snap of His fingers. What, then, was David talking about?

The answer lies in the second part of verse 3, where David states, “You encourage me by giving me strength.” The NASB translates this verse, “You make me bold with strength in my soul.” David grasped this crucial and life-changing truth: God doesn’t always answer prayer by removing the trials. Sometimes, He provides something of far greater value: the strength needed to stand firm amid trials.

Does God hear us when we cry out to Him? Always! Does he answer? As soon as we pray. Sometimes He answers before we even voice our thoughts. Just because we can’t see His mighty hand at work doesn’t mean He isn’t intervening on our behalf. His ultimate purpose is not necessarily to give us what we ask but what we need: strength for each day and boldness to handle life’s pressures.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for always hearing our prayers. Make us bold with strength in our souls as we surrender our will to yours, secure in the knowledge that you love us and ultimately want what is best for us. In your name, we pray, Amen.

Thought: The inwards fortitude needed to face life’s difficulties comes only as we open our hearts to Christ in the quiet moment, ceasing from activity and letting Him supply guidance, confidence, and direction we reflect on His word – Dr. David Jeremiah.