Prayerful Communication

 

For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. Job 33:14

 

I always say it was the conviction of sin that God used to save me – and so He did. He made Himself known to me through prayer. I had heard a sermon that “everyone” was a sinner. I was insulted at being included in that “everyone!”

I prayed that if that was true about me, that God would show me. He showed me. I had done some really selfish thinking. God pointed it out. Though I did not know it then, I now understand what an act of grace it was for God to show me any attention at all.

The sin did not upset me nearly as much as realizing that God had not only heard my prayer to show me my sin, He had done it! He was real and I could not deny it. I had denied Him for years and here He was making Himself known through answered prayer!

I think that God frequently communicates with us and we ignore it or squelch it. For some of us, we’ve gotten so wrapped up in the world that we don’t recognize His voice when He speaks – not that this is an audible voice. God uses all kinds of little promptings in our hearts and minds to let us know what He thinks or wants us to do. He often uses times of prayer and His answers to prayer to do this.

In His book, The Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney points out that we can approach prayer as pessimists and just pray because God commands us to (Colossians 4:2) or we can approach it as optimists who view prayer as an opportunity to receive the mercy and grace of God in our obedience. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Just as Jesus’ prayers demonstrated His dependence on the Father, our prayers will demonstrate our dependence on Him. When we go to work for the Lord without prayer we’re going in on our wisdom and strength. Why do we do that when we know that God’s wisdom and strength are so much greater?

God’s Word emphasizes our need for prayer:

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.  James 5:15

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

(See also, Philippians 4:6; Romans 8:26, 12:12; 1 Peter 3:12)

Prayer promises God’s mercies, grace, help when we’re weak, saving from sickness, forgiveness, overcoming anxiety, rejoicing and patience (and that is only eight out of almost 400 verses)!

God expects us to pray because we need it – not because He needs us to. It is a form of communication we can initiate with Him. Then, we will be there and ready when He blesses us by communicating with us.

Is His communication worth the time? Yes. It is one way He shows us His Grace.