Constant Communication

Most of us have a best friend we walk to honesty and openly - and frequently. Would any of us be satisfied speaking with a close friend once every few years. God wants to communicate with us ALL the time. First Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to "Pray without ceasing. . . for is the this will of God in Christ Jesus." The more time we spend praying, the more we can relate to God in every moment of time.  
Graig Groechel author of the "The Christian Atheist"

God answers all prayers, however they are not always the answers we want to hear.   God doesn't say "Yes" to everything we ask for, sometimes He makes us wait (how many years did we wait for a break in the drought - 10 years) and sometimes His response isn't what we want to hear. (they can be quite the opposite). Prayers aren't for requesting a winning lottery ticket (or an expensive Christmas present), we maybe very surprised at the response to these!  

Unanswered prayers can be frustrating . . . it can make us angry . . . why isn't God answering us NOW . . . we can be very demanding children.  Just remember that Gods will is different to ours.  And we need to remember to LISTEN for His voice.  Some people stop praying as they see nothing happening, to some, after a few failed attempts, praying seems to be ineffective and they give up.  We must never fall into this state of mind.  When you pray and God specifically answers your prayers, you will never be the same again.   Are you the sort that dances around the room, I am!!  There is so much joy with an answered prayer.

God wants you to tell Him your problems so that He can comfort you.  He wants to hear about your longings so that He can purify them. Tell Him about your temptations so that He can help you conquer them.  Talk to God about everything that's on your heart.  And when you do, remember that prayer is also the chance to hear the heartbeat of God. When you pray this way, you may discover that a whole hour . . . has just flown by.  Time races away all too quickly when you're spending it in intimate conversation with your dearest friend. 
Joni Eareckson Tada from Diamonds in the Dust

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

~oOo~

Comments

  1. The part where you wrote "unanswered prayers can be frustrating... it can make us angry... why isn't God answering us NOW" made me think of petulant children - and that is the way we behave sometimes, isn't it? Sometimes we have a little temper-tantrum at God... how much better to just keep praying, pouring our heart out to God and being patient and faithful as we wait. This is a very good reminder, Jo - thanks for sharing this today. xo

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  2. Abraham waited 25 years for the promise of a son! Patience - longsuffering, fruits of the Spirit, so petulance is an opposing force, and as such shows our fruiting capability as it were!
    Ta, I need much of this, and lots more prayer.

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  3. Good reminders, Jo.
    (Also reminds me of a plaque I saw years ago ~ "Give me patience, Lord, but hurry!"

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  4. I so needed to read this post. I have been of the sort that loses heart. It just hurts to cry out to God and not get the answer or to have to wait years. But I have also experienced crying out to Him and really helping me out especially in regards to marriage relationship. This post was very soothing for me.

    God bless you Jo!!

    Mrs. A

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  5. great reminder and I especially liked the quote from Joni Eareckson Tada!

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  6. Beautiful words, Jo! I find myself truly praying all day long. How dependent I am on His grace for all things.

    Blessings and hugs!

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  7. Jo,

    What an excellent post in regards to prayer!

    Prayer is something that I struggle with daily, so I really needed to hear these words. Sometimes, it's difficult to think of God as a friend who wants to actually hear from us on a regular basis. Hummm . . . I'll need to think about that . . .

    -Lady Rose

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