The Prayer Business

Lately I've been seeing a lot of children that are in need of prayer, well alot of people in general. I think we need to get into the prayer business. Not just say a prayer and not believe, but really take hold of our prayers and believe them.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

God has given us the power to ask for something, and have it. We are his children and it is time we acknowledge that, and believe it. I am not telling you to go ask for things that are not in God's will. This is not the time to go ask for winning lottery numbers, or a new mercedes. However, it's perfectly acceptable to ask God to take care of your family when your car is breaking down. God will take care of you, and yours. It will be in his will though.

I have a dear close friend who now blames her husband because they had an ultrasound during their pregnancy and the child was deformed and most likely would die before birth. The doctor's informed her. She believed she could pray and the child would be healed. The husband told her, honey the child is already dieing there is nothing we can do. She told him to pray, he refused. Now she tells people she doesn't like her husband. She blames him. In one way I understand, in another I see his side as well. However, I do know God could indeed have healed that child and brought him into life. However, was that his will? How do we know what his will is?

Does blaming her husband show him unconditional love? Does her husbands refusal show her unconditional love? His refusal to pray for healing also, was a refusal for faith. Her blaming her husband for not praying is not seeing a much larger picture, she blames her husbands lack of faith on the childs death. The husband has been depressed for years since. A very sad state of affairs. How many of the rest of us that knew the family weren't praying? Why isn't she blaming us as well? I didn't pray enough, I know that now. I assumed it was in God's hands.

Often times we assume things are in God's hands and we don't bother saying a prayer. We just let things come to fruition and if it's good, we say look at that a miracle, God was watching. If it was bad, we blame Satan. In all honesty we should be constantly praying and watching, ever vigilant in this world of the things that God has charged us to be stewards of.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

This should not keep you worrying always, or constantly in a state of anxiety. It should keep you at peace, understanding that God will take care and gain victory over all. The more we pray, the more God wins! So keep praying and let your faith in God show! If you use a prayer cloth, carry one with you! If you use a rosary keep it by your side. If you pray in a closet, make sure you know of a place where you can find a nice quiet hidden spot to pray away from others. If you need a chapel, know of one you can find on your lunch break to secret yourself into during the day. If nothing else, spend a few minutes before you eat your lunch to bow your head and sned up your petitions, thanks, and worries. Then let them go, they are in God's hands now.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).