CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – “God doesn’t listen to me.”
You’ve probably heard children complain that their prayers aren’t answered. They ask God for things that simply don’t materialize.
They think of God as a vending machine. Our prayers are like a coin that we put into the slot. And out of the bottom comes a bottle of Diet Pepsi, or whatever we asked for.
Don’t reduce God to your personal Amazon service. We ask. He delivers. God is not our genie in the lamp. We don’t get to rub for unlimited wishes.
God answers prayer in His time, not ours. You pray for a promotion at work. Maybe God knows that you need more skills to be successful. You pray for the love of your life to come along. Maybe God knows you need a more gentle heart for that person. You pray for wealth? Perhaps God knows that unlimited riches would make you selfish and that your indulgences would ruin you. You pray for health? Maybe God wants you to meet him half way–by following the doctor’s advice. You pray to reconcile with someone you used to be close to? Maybe God is waiting for you to take the first step.
If you think that prayer doesn’t work, try this: pray about things you’re thankful for. Even something simple: “God, I’m thankful for a heart and mind that lets me believe in you. Thank you for the gift of faith.” That’s the foundation of everything.
You’re probably heard this passage from Matthew: “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Do you know what it says after that? “For everyone who asks receives. Everyone who seeks shall be found. Everyone who knocks, the door will be opened unto them.”
God’s word is true. But God also knows that giving us everything we ask for probably do us more harm than good.
Chris Conley
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