When Prayer is Noise

“I called and they would not hear, so they called and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 7:13).”

Take time to listen.

Our Advocate

Even now my witness is in heaven.
My advocate is there on high.
I pour out my tears to God (Job 16:19-20).

What if God asked you what he asked Job?

I read Job 38-40 as though God were speaking to me. I was silenced and overwhelmed by God’s greatness.

Here’s some of what God asked:
Where you there when I laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4)?
Have you ever commanded the morning to appear (Job 38:12)?
Do you know where the gates of death are located (Job 38:17)?
Are you as strong as God (Job 40:9)?

What is your response?

Life Because of Death

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

One died. Many live.

Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54),

How Love Responds to Requests

Her sweet four year old voice woke me from a deep sleep, “Grandma, I have to go to the bathroom.” I got up, took her hand, and we walked to the bathroom together.

When we tell God what we need, He takes our hand and walks with us.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him (Matthew 7:11).

Prayer Knows No Language

I noticed her working at the airport, so I thanked her for doing her job, and asked if she knew Jesus. She said, “My English is small.”

I responded, “Then I will pray for you.” I folded my hands, looked to heaven and asked Jesus to make himself known to her.

Her eyes were shining when I finished my short prayer. Prayer knows no language.

Longing

God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them (Romans 10:21).”

Watching. Waiting. Loving. Longing.

How do you respond?

One Way to Respond to Unjust Treatment

Have you been treated unjustly? Pray. God sees, knows, and cares. He will respond.

This story gives God’s perspective: If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate (Exodus 22:26-27 bold mine).”

Mourning Together

Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).

And as you do, consider this: Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound (Proverbs 25:20).

And this: “When Jesus saw her weeping . . . Jesus wept (John 11:33-35).

Do you Believe?

They heard Jesus and were amazed by His wisdom and power. But they did not believe (from Mark 6:2-6).

Being amazed is never enough. Do you believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God? By believing in him you will have life by the power of his name (John 20:31).