So, we had my extended families Christmas this last weekend! It was a blast. I am so thankful for my family and all the blessings God has given me through them. They are just so much fun, so loving, and great Christian examples.
We got to talking one night about prayer. I mean why do we pray if God already knows how the situation is going to turn out? If He isnt going to change His mind, why even bother? I mean Mark 11:24 says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have recieved it and it will be yours." So when we pray for something, we should get that right? Like healing from cancer, or money we need, or a house we want, or healing in a realtionship, whatever it may be.
I dont think this is what God means when He tells us that. I mean Jesus, who was God, prayed to His Father. If He needed to pray dont you think we do too? He even prayed that He wouldnt have to go to the cross, but He did anyway. So why would God say ask for what you want and you will get it. Wouldnt Jesus have not had to go to the cross then? I think God gives us what we need in the situation we are praying about. God knew Jesus needed to go to the cross and God couldnt say yes to that prayer. Instead, God gave Jesus strength. He answered Jesus' prayer still, just not in the way that Jesus or others thought He should. I think we pray with a certain result in mind and when that doesnt happen we think, "Either God didnt hear me, He is real, or He doesnt care." In all reality, He did, you just missed the answer because you were so busy trying to see it like you wanted it.
I think about it like kids. Sometimes they want to go across the street and paly on a playground. They ask you and you answer, but sometimes not in the way they want. You say no because you know the danger of them crossing that street alone. You can see what could happen if they did that. You could see what could happen if they were playing alone. They cannot see and dont understand, but you can. So you answer to protect them and build their trust with you, even though they may not like it.
God often answers in a way we dont necessarily agree with. But He can see what is coming. He knows what is going to happen and what we need. He knows what we need to be protected from and what we can handle. When Aaron and I moved to Houston, we moved here because we felt like God wanted us here. I left my first teaching position and didnt have one here. We prayed daily that I would find a job. I thought God wasnt answering because I wasnt getting a job. He did answer my prayers, just not in the way I thought he should. Had I had a job, there are many things I would have not been able to experience. My job came at the perfect time! He knew what He was doing (read about our 2 years in Houston to find out more)
So dont pray today expecting a specific outcome. Pray for the Lord to answer and that He will listen to your prayer. He will and He will answer in the way He sees the best for you. God only has our best interest. He doesnt need our prayers, but we need that connection to Him. Prayer doesnt build Him up, but us!
Romans 12:12 says "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Have a great day!
Karlee
