Over the years I have seen the Lord answer prayer in ways which a
reasonable person would have to describe as being "miraculous."
Of course, there was that one time when He didn't.
That occasion
was precipitated by a third-grade child whom I met in our school
hallway. Normally, a smiling, happy individual, this day the boy was
anything but. I asked him if he was okay and, if not, was there anything
I could do.
He said, "Pastor, I've been praying about Tokyo.
Would you pray for Tokyo, too?"
While I was surprised to find one
of our youngsters had a giant Japanese city on his prayer list, I
agreed. A meeting stopped me from asking any more questions at that
time. About an hour later I sought the boy out and asked, "About that
Tokyo prayer ... can you tell me what I'm supposed to be praying about?"
With a bit of strain in his voice, the boy said, "Pastor, today was
our geography test, and we're praying that Tokyo is the capital of
France." I left it to his teacher to break the bad news; the Lord hadn't
moved oriental Tokyo to the heart of Europe.
That being said, the
fact still stands: God answers prayer. To that end I would like you to
take another look at our text for today. Look at the first verse where
three things are stated about prayer.
First, it says we wait
patiently for the Lord. Christian prayers are not like those State Farm
commercials you see on TV. You know the ones: "Like a good neighbor, our
God is there." Say the words and poof! God appears. There are times when
God, for reasons of His own, delays responding. But that doesn't mean He
doesn't care. He does and He also answers prayer, which takes us to the
second point.
In the Psalm it says God "inclined (Himself) to
me." What a beautiful picture. The all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of
the Universe ... the Individual who called all things into being with a
Word, leans forward on His heavenly throne. And what motivates God's
leaning? It's nothing less than you and your request. So much does God
want to hear your prayer, He leans forward to give you His undivided
attention, which takes us to third point.
That's the point where
God hears our cry and responds. True, God's response to our prayer does
not always mean He gives us what we want. No parent -- divine or human
-- is going to give a little one everything that shows up on the child's
wish list. Doing so would be too dangerous to contemplate.
No,
the loving Father in heaven, having inclined Himself to listen, responds
as a true and loving Father. He gives us what we ask for, or He gives us
something better.
We may ask for wealth, He may give us the
wisdom to get along with what we have. We may ask for healing, He gives
us heaven. God gives us what we ask for ... or something better.
It's something you can count on.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give
thanks You hear my prayers and respond in the most appropriate and
loving way. May I give thanks for the Savior who has made these prayers
hearable. Further, keep me patiently waiting, eyes opened, so I may see
and give thanks for Your response. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken
Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries
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not to be duplicated without permission.
