Why do you suppose that is?
I think that the way that we respond in difficult times is a clear reflection of what we really believe deep down. Oh, not always, but certainly most of the time. I know that when my relationship with God was kind of iffy I wasn't ever in much of a mood to pray. I would only call out to Him when I was desperate. However, it seems that the deeper my relationship with God, the more likely I am to include Him in every corner of my life. If I am having an ongoing dialogue with Him I am more likely to share everything with Him.
The Bible talks about having just such communication with God. In Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica he directs believers to, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," 1 Thes 5:16-18. So basically the way I see it, Paul is saying enjoy life, be grateful no matter what is happening in your life, and stay in touch with God.
Why should we stay in constant contact with God? Well, look at it this way, if you and I have a relationship where we are in constant contact with each other then isn't it easier for me to come to you for help when I need it? If we have open lines of communication then I know how to share my needs and how to best ask for assistance.
You might say that if God really is who believers say He is, then doesn't He know what I need before I even ask Him? You bet He does! But as a parent even though I know what my children need I like for them to come to me to ask for what they need as it produces a sense of humility in my children and gives both them and me a chance to love on one another.
But don't be fooled, God knows what we will need LONG before we ever ask and often has the answer to our prayers in the works prior to our request.
Here is a good example of just such a time,
Dr. Helen Roseveare, missionary to Zaire, told the following story. "A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls responded. 'Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won't feel so lonely.' That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, 'If God sent that, I'm sure He also sent a doll!' And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child's sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies' group to include both of those specific articles."
Stories like that give me hope. They show me that God is actually in the business of answering prayers. He isn't a genie who brings us whatever we want, but He does meet our needs. We only need to ask.
In the book of Philippians Paul gives clear and simple instructions about the part prayer plays in our lives. He writes, "Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God." (Phil 4:6). If we look at what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians and now in Philippians, we see that Paul is explaining that followers of Jesus are to pray about everything always. This continual conversation with God about everything is what leads to a stronger and deeper faith. Martin Luther is quoted as saying, "If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith."
I suppose that makes sense. The more communication that I have with you, the better I get to know you and the more I come to understand your behavior. It is the same way in our relationship with God. The more we communicate, the better we get to know Him and the clearer our understanding is about how He may respond to our prayers.
When asked how much time he spent in prayer, evangelist and orphanage director, George Muller's reply was, "Hours every day. But I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk and when I lie down and when I arise. And the answers are always coming."
Muller lived exactly in that manner. It wasn't just a sermon, he lived it. He believed that God would provide and he lived in that faith. Here's an example;
Things looked bleak for the children of George Muller's orphanage at Ashley Downs in England. It was time for breakfast, and there was no food. A small girl whose father was a close friend of Muller was visiting in the home. Muller took her hand and said, "Come and see what our Father will do." In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs. Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but there was no money in the home's account. Muller prayed, "Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat." Immediately, they heard a knock at the door. When they opened it, there stood the local baker. "Mr. Muller," he said, "I couldn't sleep last night. Somehow I felt you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at 2 o'clock and baked fresh bread. Here it is." Muller thanked him and gave praise to God. Soon, a second knock was heard. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. He said he would like to give the children the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it.
The ways in which God answers prayer are as different as there are circumstances. Often it isn't exactly the way that we might have like that prayer to have been answered. But then again, I'm not God.
Let's get in the habit of including Him in every corner of our lives. I think that if prayer is out first thought instead of our last resort, we will be giving God the room He needs to work in and through us. How cool is that?
Blessings,
-Bry
Thanks Bryan!!
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