It was potluck Sunday at our small-town Lutheran church. The room started to fill up with smells of fried chicken, and casseroles. Catechism class was going on in the back of the room. My little brother and I weren’t old enough to join, so while we waited, we did the logical thing and started scoping out what we wanted to fill our plates with.
“I REALLY hope Grandma brought her Orange ritz cracker salad!” I thought to myself.
As I scanned the table, I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the class.
“…You have to ask God for forgiveness of your sins daily, or you will not go to heaven” the Pastor said.
And that’s when my skewed view of prayer began.
Obviously, I didn’t know the context of the conversation or even if that’s all that he said. But at that time, that is what my 11-year-old brain heard.
From then on, I prayed every night- hoping to remember everything “bad” I did and ask God for forgiveness. I thought God was this strict guy up in heaven pointing fingers at everyone.
I thought – good works = Heaven. If I can just make sure to do more good things than bad, surely, I will be ok.
Maybe you also believed that or still have that thought process.
God wants Your HEART, not your good works.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
When I learned that, my world changed. Knowing that God WANTS a relationship with ME. That he is my heavenly Father, who loves me – NO MATTER WHAT. My prayer life changed.
No longer did I pray out of fear, hoping I wouldn’t forget something I did, I prayed with a thankful heart. I prayed for anything and everything. It was like talking to someone who I had known for years. Because he had known me for years.
Prayer changes everything & Prayer changes you!
There is no wrong or right right time to pray:
Pray in your car on the way to work.
Pray while you are folding laundry.
Pray before the big test.
Pray before a difficult conversation.
Pray with your kids before bed.
Pray with your spouse before leaving for the day.
Pray when you get offended and need to think before you speak.
Pray with your friends.
Pray when your head hits the pillow.
Pray when you are at peace.
Pray when you are frustrated.
& Pray when you are too depressed and can only offer a “Help me, Lord.”
Because even the simple “Help me” prayers are heard by God.
There are times in our lives that are too difficult, too painful to even move.
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26
How do we keep praying when we feel like our prayers aren’t being answered?
There is something healing about talking to someone who has gone through the same experience you have. To know they understand what you are feeling brings comfort. BUT Jesus also understands. When he walked this earth, he experienced every type of pain we experience. Loss, Mockery, Pain, Temptation, Grief, Betrayal. This brings me comfort. EVEN IF my prayer isn’t answered how I think it should be answered, I have confidence in knowing God is working out the best possible outcome for my good.
I love how the MSG version translates Romans 8:26
He knows us far better than we know ourselves. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
I have a prayer journal and it is amazing to see all the answered prayers- most of which were cries for help: Restored relationships, lost souls saved, being able to forgive, depression gone, healing, closing doors that would’ve been harmful, the job I wanted, and marriage saved! The list goes on and on!
Even the prayers that weren’t answered how I wanted, God still turned it around for the better.
God hears you!
I would tell my 11-year-old self, yes, ask for forgiveness, but also cry out to the Father, tell him your burdens, your fears, your dreams, your hope for Grandmas Orange Ritz cracker salad, and never stop talking to him. He Listens. And he is working overtime so you can rest.
