Prayer that Works
Matt. 7:7-8
When we pray, God works to change us.
No Braves game on television
When I was a young boy, I was a huge Braves fan. I can remember one night when the Braves were supposed to be on tv. I usually got all of their games, but this game was on a station that I didn’t get. So, depressed that I couldn’t watch the game, I got on my knees and began to pray. “Lord, please let the Braves game come on!” I prayed and I prayed. Then I turned the television on, and no Braves game. So I prayed again, earnestly asking God my request. But nothing happened. I prayed, but I didn’t receive.
Grandma passing away
Nine years ago this coming December my grandmother passed away. We found out in September that she was diagnosed with lung cancer and only had about six weeks with her. So, believing what the bible says, I got in my closest and prayed, “Lord, please save my grandmother.” I prayed and I prayed and she died.
Your unanswered prayers
I’m sure that all of you can relate. I’m sure that you have prayed for something that ultimately didn’t come to pass. I’m sure that you have loved ones that you prayed for and got others to pray for, only to see your prayer go unanswered.
Ask, and you will receive? Really? Seek and you will find. Knock, and the door will be open. Really? That hasn’t always been my experience and I assume that most of you agree.
So is God’s word not true, or are we maybe misunderstanding prayer?
Prayer changes us
What is prayer? Do we view prayer the same way that children view Santa Claus? God comes around once a year and so we crawl up into his lap to give him our wish list. Is that what prayer is all about? Because if so, I’m doing something wrong. I think we all know that God doesn’t answer all of our prayers, at least how we ask them. But the grace of prayer was never given to us for the purpose of us getting all that we want. So, how does prayer work? Prayer works because, when we pray, God works to change us. We don’t go to God in prayer hoping that we change God’s mind. We go to God in prayer hoping that God changes us.
John Wesley and prayer
This is what John Wesley has to say about prayer: “The end of your prayer is not to inform God, as though he knew not your wants already; but rather to inform yourselves, to fix the sense of those wants more deeply in your hearts, and the sense of your continual dependence on him who only is able to supply all your wants. It is not so much to move God-who is always more ready to give than you to ask-as to move yourselves, that you may be willing and ready to receive the good things he has prepared for you.”
For John Wesley, prayer isn’t about us bringing our wish list to God and he answers them all. Prayer is about God changing us. God moving us. God revealing to us our desires and showing us how we can change them. This morning’s text tell us to ask and it will be given. Seek and we will find. But what if what we are seeking isn’t what God wants for us? Verse 9 and 10 says “Is there anyone you who, if your child ask for bread, will give a stone? OR if the child asks for a fish, will you give him a snake?” But what if we aren’t asking for bread or a fish? What if we are asking for a stone or a snake?
My girlfriend in 5th grade
I remember my first girl friend. I was in 5th grade and I was very shy. Yet, I finally got a girl friend. Sort of. We called each other boyfriend and girlfriend, but we never talked to each other. I was so incredibly shy that whenever she would try to talk to me, I would pretend that I didn’t see her. It didn’t take her long to write me the break up note. What was the problem? We didn’t communicate. We didn’t have a relationship.
Prayer as means of relationship
Prayer changes us because it is also relational. Prayer is our way to communicate with our creator. Prayer is a gift of grace given to us. Pray isn’t our way of getting what we want anymore than asking our parents for something is our way of getting whatever we want. Prayer reminds us of who is in control. We ask God because ultimately we know that all things come from him.
The focus of our prayer really isn’t on what we are asking and seeking,. The focus is on who we are asking and seeking. Prayer changes us because prayer points us to God.
Why do you pray?
So why do you pray? What are your motives? Is it to get closer to God? Is it to get what you want? Is it to intercede for others? Why do you pray? They are many motives for prayer. But what if, through your prayers, God changes you? What if prayer works for you because it works in you to bring change?
Prayer for a week
Prayer changes us. But the only way that prayer changes us is if we pray. Therefore, I challenge you over the next week, before you go to work or get your day started, to spend a few moments in prayer. Pray for your needs and for the requests mentioned here this morning, because God does answer prayer. But, as you pray, listen to the still small voice of God. Listen to what he might say to you. Remember, prayer isn’t a one person monologue. Prayer is conversation with God. And for conversation to work, both parties must speak and listen. We get into trouble whenever we do all the talking but never listen. So, over the next week, pray every day. And listen. Listen to what God might be saying to you. Listen as you request your prayers. Why are you asking? What does that say about you? If I would have asked that question to myself whenever I was praying for the Braves game to come on I’m sure that God would have told me how spoiled I am. What does our conversation with God tell us about ourselves? Pray everyday next week and find out.
Jesus in Gethsemane
Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane should be our guide. Jesus prays, “Lord, let this cup pass me by. But not my will, but your will be done.” Jesus’ desire was seen in his prayer. He didn’t want to take the road to the cross. Yet, he prayed that God’s will be done. May God work in our hearts and change us to the point of whenever we pray, we can say, “not my will, but your will be done.” Amen.
