WATCHWORD:
14 And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. 15 And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us. 1 John 5:14-15
Meditation:
What Does the Lord Require?
I prayed and prayed and prayed, and still my golf game never improved! I prayed about a relationship I had with a friend. That jerk never changed. I go to church every Sunday, but I’ll never tithe until the sermons are better, even though I pray about them. What’s wrong with this God of ours? Does he even hear our prayers, let alone answer them?
That’s a joke, but buried in there is some truth. There have been times when we have prayed about something and yet nothing seems to happen. I remember praying all the time when my wife was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Day after day, in church and out, prayers. Yet her illness progressed to the end. God, were you listening? What do I have to do?
What Does the Lord Require?
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.
Micah 6:8 The Message
Look at the 1 John passage again. See that little phrase – “he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.” Oh, yes, His will verses my will. No, that is not it. His promise to answer prayers is true, but there is a condition: A right relationship with God. There is this choice bit of wisdom in Psalm 66:18: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
Do we hold too tightly to things in our lives? So tightly that they become an idol, we worship? Are we the rich young ruler that walks away sad because he valued his wealth ahead of his love of the Lord? Are my commitments to do the right thing conditioned on standards I set and my friend failed, as did my pastor? Check your check-book, there is the evidence of false gods. Check your schedule and your priorities. There you will find other false gods.
His will and His timing, conditioned by our right relationship with Him. “….ask him for anything in line with his will.” Seek the will of the Lord in all things, and live in peace. Someday it will be clear that my prayers for my wife were, indeed, answered, and my joy will over-flow.
That improvement in my golf game? Don’t hold your breath, Stan. Amen.
Words of Wisdom:
Indeed, the idols I have loved so long, have done my credit in this world much wrong; have drowned my glory in a shallow cup, and sold my reputation for a song. Edward Fitzgerald, 1809-1883
If Christ had done what I keep doing — who would ever have been saved? Stan Escott, 2021
Closing Prayer:
Good morning, Lord. As I go through this day, Heavenly Father, I pray that I will be the person you would have me be. I need strength, Lord, strength to act justly in situations where, in the past, I have been judgmental, too impulsive. Help me, Lord, to practice mercy, to embrace compassion, shape me into a symbol of love, Your love for all. I know that’s a big Ask, Lord, and I know that nothing I have done in the past qualifies me other than this one thing: I love You, Lord, I trust You, Lord, I surrender my life to You Lord. Thank you for listening to my prayer. All honor and glory to you, Heavenly Father. Amen
