Years ago I presented a radio program entitled
TIME FOR REFLECTIONS
Here's a short recording.
There are times in life when we all have problems, or worries, on our
minds. When things go wrong and we pray to God that He may listen to us
and help us in our hour of need.
Often, after we have prayed, we feel that a burden has been taken off our shoulders; we feel all right again. And all is well!
But let's be honest with ourselves. Do we really always believe that God will listen to our prayers and that He will respond. Or is there a harbouring doubt in our mind that perhaps He is not listening. Or He will not respond. Or worse still ... maybe He does not exist at all. And maybe we are talking to a void. Praying to the dark. Talking to ourselves.
Let us for a moment assume that God does exist. Let us assume that He is an Almighty Creator God who loves us and cares for us.
How do you think He feels about our attitude? About our weak faith and trust in Him?
When we pray for something and then doubt whether He will respond or not? Whether He is actually listening or not? And when we take back the problem to ourselves, and try to sort it out ourselves, having prayed and handed it over to Him?
How do you think He feels about that? What does He think about our faith and our lack of trust?
Now there are those of course who do not believe in God at all. Well for them, life is easy isn't it? Because when things go wrong they don't pray to anybody, because they do not believe there is anybody to pray to. So they take the rough with the smooth and everything is OK!
Or is it ... I wonder. Do they also, in their darkest hour, go around searching for a God they don't believe in?
But ... we Christians believe in God. We believe that He loves us and that He cares for us. So let us at least give Him the courtesy to trust Him fully when we hand over a problem or a worry to Him.
Let us trust Him enough to do what is best for us and thank Him in advance for whatever decision and action He takes on our behalf.
You know Victor all you say is true - but you have to remember we are human too. Sometimes when things are really rough, I wonder and then I come back.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Sandie; because we are human we have our moments of doubts and fears. God knows that and He forgives us. When tempted, it is time to pray again.
DeleteGod bless.
Radio was once a great way to get out a message
ReplyDeleteYes Ruby. God bless.
DeleteThank you for this, Victor. I am blessed to remember that when I am praying God's will, He answers, even if not immediately. I guess the question is, am I praying something that is His will? That, I have to leave to Him, and I'm okay with that.
ReplyDeleteMany thanx, Barbara. I too, often wonder: "Am I praying that God's will be done, or that He does what I want". You see, Jesus said that if we ask for anything in His name God will provide it. As a loving Father, He likes to hear from His children and give them what they ask. But ... what is the motive behind what we are asking for?
DeleteGod bless you always.
Good Post Victor. Many times I have to be reminded how I am not allowing my Faith to shine. this happened to me just this past week. I think I sometimes get caught up in the situation and my emotions take over BEFORE I am reminded that God is in control..
ReplyDeleteThis is true for most of us, Shug. When things go wrong we tend to panic first and "get caught in the situation". This is only natural and we should not reprimand ourselves over it. Rather, when we have calmed down a little, we turn to prayer and Faith in the One who is always in control.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
What a timely, and appropriate message! I've no doubt He doesn't hear my prayers. Rather, sometimes I hesitate to bother Him, realizing there are those in Serious peril whose prayers deserve more immediate attention.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness, He doesn't choose! I need to remember, there's no pecking order in Heaven.
Good point, (which makes me smile), Mevely. I am reliably informed that God does not have different in-trays on His desk marked - URGENT, TOP PRIORITY, CAN WAIT and NOT IMPORTANT.
DeleteEvery prayer we raise to Him is of equal value to Him. I say "equal value" because as parents we all listen to our children's needs and demands - and answer them differently but with equal love. We treat each child according to their individual needs. And so does God.
God bless you and yours.
I know He’s there, and I know He cares. What difficult is when the answer to the prayer is, “No.” It’s very hard when it’s something which means a lot to you.
ReplyDeleteAmen Mimi. Faith is often difficult.
DeleteGod bless you.
It's all about being able to say, "Thy will, not mine, be done." Not easy to do as you have noted here on your blog frequently, Victor. Let us completely trust in our God who always keeps His promises. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI find it "not easy" time and again. Not easy to accept/understand/wait for His will be done.
DeleteGod bless, Martha.
Your point about "taking back the problem" after we’ve prayed is something I think every believer struggles with. It’s so human to want to hand over a heavy burden, only to reach back out and grab it the second we feel a moment of uncertainty. It’s almost like we give God the problem but keep our hands on the steering wheel just in case!
ReplyDelete"It’s almost like we give God the problem but keep our hands on the steering wheel just in case!"
DeleteThat's very well put, Melody. Thank you and God bless you.