Having gathered again for breakfast at the Twelve Baskets Cafe one morning, Stan mentioned he’d been talking with a neighbor about the importance of prayer and not ending our prayers when we’re done.”
“Not ending our prayers when we’re done? I said. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“As you’ll remember,” Stan replied, “we’ve talked a lot about how prayer is not just about telling God what we want.”
“Yeah,” I said. “He already knows what we want. What He desires is for us to ask Him what He knows we need.”
“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “And what my neighbor told me is that he learned something the Bible says about God, Abraham, and prayer that’s important for his personal prayer life.”
“What’s that?”
“The Bible says that when God had finished speaking to Abraham, that’s when God left.”
“Oh,” I replied, “God left when He was done talking to Abraham, not that Abraham left when he was done talking to God. Is that it?”
“You got it,” Stan agreed. “And the lesson for me is I’m not to leave my prayer time when I’m done, but I’m to wait until God is finished saying what He has to say!”
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Bible verses to consider:
And as soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed; and Abraham returned to his place. Genesis 18:33.
And when He had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Genesis 17:22.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Thank you, too, for allowing me to come before you in prayer. I confess that even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence, too often while I remain on this side of eternity my prayers are self-focused and I only want to tell you what’s on my heart and mind, rather than listening to what you have to say to me. Please forgive that foolishness. Help me follow every step of your lead into the deepest possible prayer life where I actually take the time to listen to what you have to say. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Can you approach God in prayer thorough Jesus because you’ve accepted what He accomplished by His finished work on the cross? If no, why do you choose 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 taking the time to truly listen to what God has to say to you? 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 actually take the time to listen to what He has to say to you in prayer? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, 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?