Public Prayers

Public Prayers

Read: John 11:1-44

“I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

John 11:42

“Large asking and large expectation on our part honor God.”

—A. L. Stone

IN WORD Too often our prayers are the private matter of our own hearts. That is, of course, where they begin. That is where God deals with us and speaks to us. But not all prayers are to be left there. The glory of God is a public matter, and nowhere on earth is God more glorified than when He is clearly at work. Miracles occur every day, but they often go unnoticed or are considered “coincidental” because no one heard the specific prayer of someone’s heart that God answered in His mercy and power. When mercy and power come, the prayer needs to have already been on record. God is glorified as He responds to public requests.

Jesus spells this out for us. As He approaches the tomb of Lazarus, He is grateful for the public forum. He could have done this miracle with a minimum of onlookers and in the privacy of the tomb. He could have lifted up a silent prayer, leaving people to wonder whose prayers were answered. Was Lazarus raised because of Mary and Martha’s goodness? because of Lazarus’s faithfulness? because of a huge medical misunderstanding? No, it was a divine response to Jesus’ prayer. It was, in essence, yet another sign from heaven saying, “This is My Son.” It was validation that God was at work in Jesus and that Jesus was doing God’s work. How do we know? Because before Lazarus got up, Jesus prayed. Out loud.

IN DEED We’re afraid to pray such risky prayers. That’s understandable; we should only pray them after we’ve arrived at a position of faith and confidence in God’s will and with sensitivity to His timing. But once we’re there, we need to let God show His glory publicly. His demonstration of power is usually not a private, personal matter. It is more often a showcase for His mercy. When our prayers are witnessed by others and then God answers, He receives honor, and the faith of others is strengthened.