One person’s comment about prayer bothered me the other day. He/she said that Prayer doesn’t work, that the problem sometimes is that people forget that there are prayers unanswered. This statement bothered me because its wrapped with misconceptions and self-gratifying expectations.
First off, Prayer does not translate “Abracadabra.” It is not a magical word we simply say for God to grant our wishes.
Next, Prayer is not a one-way street. It is two way - we speak, God listens. God speaks and we (should) shut up. It is a dynamic communication shared with a living God.
Lastly, Prayer is not always answered the way we want them to be. God is not a vending machine that easily puts out the candy once the money is in. As I had learned early on, God’s answer varies - it can either be Yes, No or Wait.
So it is not that Prayer doesn’t work, it does. We’re just too self-involved to realize it has been answered, especially in ways not prone to our liking.
First off, Prayer does not translate “Abracadabra.” It is not a magical word we simply say for God to grant our wishes.
Next, Prayer is not a one-way street. It is two way - we speak, God listens. God speaks and we (should) shut up. It is a dynamic communication shared with a living God.
Lastly, Prayer is not always answered the way we want them to be. God is not a vending machine that easily puts out the candy once the money is in. As I had learned early on, God’s answer varies - it can either be Yes, No or Wait.
So it is not that Prayer doesn’t work, it does. We’re just too self-involved to realize it has been answered, especially in ways not prone to our liking.
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