Do you believe God answers prayers? By Gary Andrews [email protected]
I remember a story told many years ago to a church congregation about God answering prayers. The pastor was becoming disillusioned with the people because their ideas and ways seem to be splitting the church. He was asking for the people to pray and believe in what they were asking God to do.
The pastor told the story of a county suffering from drought and the crops were failing, the livestock was suffering immensely, and the town became unfriendly toward each other. The church called for all the townspeople to come together and pray for rain so that refreshing water would replenish the county with good crops, better livestock, and peace among the people.
Many of our churches are at odds today because of the difference of opinions. Politics has entered churches and given many false hopes that certain people can save our land and preserve our Christian heritage and ways. Our country is divided, and the two major political parties seem to say they can create a gracious and happy environment for everyone in the future. Very little talk has emerged about seeking God’s guidance and approval for our country. Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, has called for a day of prayer as his father did many years ago. Thousands upon thousands of people gathered in Washington D.C. to ask God to bless our nation once again with vision and harmony among its people.
I passionately believe that God answers prayers because He has done so many, many times in my life and I am sure He has blessed many of you as He has me. For many Christians that know that God is real and ever present, take Him for granted. They call on Him when they need Him and trust their own desires and comforts to take them where they want to go. Sometimes He allows us to go through difficult times to get our attention and bring us back to Him.
As the pastor related the story to his church members, who were going through difficult times, and ask them to come together and pray for rain. All the people showed up to pray, however only one small child brought an umbrella. So much for faith in God to bring the rain.
All of us need to remember what we are told in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Are you like the small child? Do you believe that God answers prayers? For those of us that know Him personally, read His Word, and talk to Him every day, know for certain that God does answer prayers.
Pray for our nation. Pray for our leaders that they will seek God’s wisdom in all their endeavors and decisions that they make for their personal lives and our nation. Pray with confidence that God will answer your prayers and bring your umbrellas when you pray for rain!
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your guidance. Thank you for your word and the opportunity to seek your divine will. Amen.
