LORD, THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF PRAYER

Being Thankful for Prayer

Antagonist of the Christian faith Ambrose Bierce had this to say about prayer in his book The Devil’s Dictionary.  “Pray,  n.  To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled in behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy.”  Although Bierce said this as a scathing rebuke to Christianity, he espoused two of its greatest truths concerning prayer.  Those truths express the  miraculous nature of the prayer process.

Truth #1 is the fact that God even listens to our prayers despite our unworthiness.  That is a miracle.  To the outsider looking in on the Christian faith, prayer must seem like a person talking to himself, at best, and talking to thin air, at worst.  But to the one who has an intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe, prayer is seen as one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity.  The fact that a mortal and sinful human can speak to the immortal and Holy Lord of Heaven and Earth is nothing short of miraculous, especially when you consider that no special equipment is needed.  You don’t have to a have megaphone, e-mail, fax, satellite, or telephone to call Him up.  All you need to do is get on your knees and speak to Him from the sincerity of your heart.  The slightest whisper from a child of God can travel millions of miles to the Father’s house.  For that we can say, “Thank you, Lord!”

Truth #2 is the miraculous fact that God answers prayer.  This is made possible through Jesus Christ, who gives us access to the throne of God where we can verbalize our petition and praises.  “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”, said the writer of the book of Hebrews.  All throughout the Bible, we find testimonies of people like Daniel, Paul, and Hezekiah who prayed out of the sincerity of their heart and received answers from God.

Prayer in its proper definition is having a one on one conversation with God All Mighty!  Knowing this fact, some people don’t pray  because they don’t know how to pray.  They are afraid of saying something stupid, offensive, or boring to God.  If this is how you feel, then the Bible has good news for you.  The Holy Spirit, who knows your heart, steps in and plays an important role in our prayers.  “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  The facts that the Holy Spirit translates our prayers, and Jesus makes it possible for us to reach God through prayer, coupled with the fact God the Father not only listens to our prayers, but answers, should make the believer shout, “Thank you Lord!” every time he or she prays.