I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us–yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7 (NIV)
Sometimes when I pray, I am praying but I am not really believing that my prayers hold any weight. Even as I have been praying I have been doubting that my prayers would be answered in the way I wanted them to be. This is probably not the most effective way to pray.
Yesterday, when I was in the parking lot at the grocery store, I was shooting up a prayer to the Lord. I talk to Him a lot in the car. And this thought pierced my prayer midsentence. You don’t believe that I have good things for you. I couldn’t even deny it. I simply burst into tears.
This past year was a year of prayer and fasting for us. We prayed for a house. We prayed for our friend Shelly to live. We prayed for our church to grow exponentially. We prayed for a lot of things. We prayed and then we prayed some more. And when God did not move as I begged Him to, I lost my prayer mojo.
You would think I wouldn’t be so fickle. Clearly, you don’t know me. But I know that Jesus isn’t done with me. When He zinged me in the parking lot with His truth, all I could say was, “You are right. Forgive me. Make me new.”
I think hands down it is the best prayer I have prayed yet. The truth is, Jesus doesn’t just have good things for me. He has good upon good upon good things for me. So gripping this truth with both hands, I am turning my heart toward Him once again. Rejoicing. Praying. Full of thanks. And that’s good.
Faith Step: Make a list of three things today: Something you can rejoice about, something you need prayer for, and something you are thankful for. Carry it in your pocket and read it often. Lift it up to Jesus and know that He has good things for you today.
