Experiencing God's Presence #332

Experiencing God's Presence #332

Father, thank you for hearing me.

John 11:41

We ask God for something. We wait for Him to answer. If and when we receive what we asked for, we thank Him. That’s our normal pattern.

But what if we take literally His promises about prayer—that whatever we ask in His name, it will be done for us (John 15:7)? Or His instructions about praying in faith—that whatever we ask for, we should believe we have received it (Mark 11:24)? Assuming we’ve met the conditions for abiding in Him—not an impossible standard by any means—the promises are pretty straightforward and assure us of answers. Why wait to give thanks?

When we pray in faith, we can give thanks for the answer at the same time we offer the request. If we’re unsure about whether the request is God’s will, we can ask Him for confirmation that it is, or we can thank Him for whatever answer He will give, even if He has to redirect our desire. But in light of all the assurances He gives us about asking and receiving, the wait-and-see approach seems far too hesitant. We can thank God in advance for His goodness and the ways we will see it.

Jesus took that approach. Before breaking the few loaves of bread that would feed thousands, He gave thanks—presumably not just for the food but for the miracle of multiplying it (John 6:11). And before He called Lazarus out of the tomb, He thanked God for hearing Him, knowing what was about to happen (John 11:41). Jesus thanked God in advance.

Gratitude at the front end of prayer presumes faith and, in fact, stirs it up within us. When we pray in that kind of faith, God responds accordingly. In Scripture, He doesn’t answer doubtful prayers nearly as often as He answers bold and faith-filled ones. Thanksgiving is based on faith, builds our faith, and leads to faith’s results.

Father, thank You for hearing me and for the answer You are going to give.