“Have you ever thought that your prayers don’t accomplish much,” Stan asked me between bites of the delicious blueberry pancakes he was enjoying one morning.
“Only about most of the time,” I responded with a laugh. “Why do you ask?”
“The other day,” Stan said, “I was talking with one of my neighbors who told me he thinks he has come up with a way to have effective prayers all of the time.”
“Effective prayers all of the time? That sounds great! What’d he say?”
“It’s based on what Jesus said when He taught His disciples how to pray.”
“Well,” I responded, “if it’s based on what Jesus taught, it’s probably pretty good. What’d your neighbor say?”
“That since God knows what we need before we ask Him, what could be a more effective prayer than asking Him what He knows we need?”
“Asking God for what He knows I need,” I responded. “That does sound like an effective prayer that will accomplish much. I’ve been looking for that!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Lord, teach us how to pray . . . . Luke 11:1.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16.
Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way for life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you that the life here includes access to you through Jesus. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, and even though I know I have access to you through prayer in Jesus’ name, I confess that too often my prayers are shallow and I seek only what I want without any consideration of what you know I need. Please forgive that foolish approach in my prayers. Help me follow every step of your lead into the most effective prayers possible. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him so you can approach Him in prayer through Jesus? If no, why do you not want to accept Jesus’ finished work on the cross, but prefer to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with having effective prayers that seek what God knows you need? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need to have the most effective prayers possible? Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?
Resurrection Blessings to you and your family! 💞✝️🙏
God knows what I need more than I do! I am constantly reminded that He is God & I am not! Thank you for reminding me of what Jesus said very simply about how to pray!