Prayers And Praise

Prayers And Praise

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18

Art fidgeted on the exam table, and I could see he was uncomfortable. “Did you get the results of your scans back yet?” I asked. He’d recently undergone surgery for renal cell carcinoma and had been awaiting test results to see whether it had spread.

“No, and I’m scared. They said they saw a spot on my liver and on my other kidney, and they seemed concerned about it.”

“They should have the results back in a few—”

Art interrupted me before I could finish. “I haven’t prayed in a long time,” he said. “Now, I’m praying every day because I need something. I’m not sure that’s okay. Do you think God hears my prayers? And does it matter that I’m just asking him for stuff? Ever since I found out about the cancer, I just feel like praying more. Does he listen, even though I didn’t pray before?”

Art’s sudden burst of questions reminded me of my own spiritual journey. I told him how, for years, I had walked around in a spiritual desert, and I hadn’t prayed or talked to God at all during that time.

“But here’s the thing, Art. God loves his children. He wants us to come to him with our needs. And just like the good Father he is, he sometimes grants our requests. Other times, he has something better planned for us, but he is always pleased when we come to him. I know you’re worried, and God knows it too. He knows everything in your heart. Whatever the outcome of your scans, he will be right there beside you.”

“I know you’re right, but I feel as if the only time I pray is when I am scared or worried.”

“Art, just keep talking to your heavenly Father; that’s what he wants more than anything.”

A week or so later, I received a call from Art filled with thanks and praise to the Lord for an encouraging test result. And he had made some decisions about his future prayers.

“Regardless of whether my cancer is gone for now or gone for good, my praise and my prayers won’t ever stop.”

TODAY’S RX

Take a moment to talk to God today; he wants to hear what is on your heart.

God, I confess that oftentimes my prayers are a list of needs and little else. Help me to remember you in times of joy as well, praising you for all the good you’ve done in my life.