Does God Answer Prayer?

This week for us is a week of prayer. We are doing the 24-7 Prayer experience. Some of our more creative people have converted a classroom into an amazing world within walls that is nothing short of, in a word – inspirational. I was only in the prayer room about 5 minutes before I found myself overwhelmed. Was it the presence of God you might ask? Not exactly. I am very thankful for God’s presence each and every day of my life and I am more or less aware of His presence in all kinds of different ways and places. So why was I overwhelmed? Because the work done by the prayer team in conjunction with the decorating team is of such quality that it elicits prayer and praise. They have created a space in time for us that lifts our hearts. You can’t be there and not pray. This is pretty significant for me. You see, a lot of the time, I have to fight TO pray. It’s hard. In this world prayer is one of those things that can often require a lot of discipline. In the world of the prayer room, however, it would have been a fight NOT to pray! They have done a truly great work.

So, in light of our ‘season’ of prayer, I thought that I would offer a few words about prayer that I believe are important. I have been learning lately how everything in my life and ministry needs to be relational in nature. Evangelism needs to be relational. Discipleship needs to be relational. Preaching needs to be relational. Prayer needs to be relational. That is to say that prayer is never an end in itself. Just as I study the Bible, not just to know stuff or even just to know about God, but to better know Him, so I pray, not just to get stuff or see things happen, but in order to become more intimate with Him.

A blog post caught my eye the other day. It was one by Dave Miller entitled ‘God Doesn’t Answer Prayer’. (SBC Impact, Mar 18/2011) Yeah, you’re probably thinking the same thing I was when I first saw it!!! And, yes, he admitted in the article that he was giving in to the temptation to be a little bit provocative with that title, but he did have a point. What could possibly have been his point you might be asking? It was this: “God doesn’t answer prayer, He answers PEOPLE!”

Think about it. Prayer in and of itself is not a virtue. In fact, the Bible speaks of times when God says that prayer can be abominable to Him … “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen”. It says He resists the proud but “a contrite spirit [He] will never despise”. It says that if we humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, THEN He will “hear from heaven and will forgive [our] sin and heal [our] land.”

Jesus said that we will receive what we ask for when we ask in His name? What does that really mean? A lot of commentary has been offered as an explanation and a lot of good thoughts on the subject are available. But it got me thinking about the passage in the book of Acts that tells about the seven sons of Sceva. Maybe you aren’t familiar with that one or it’s been a while, so take a look…

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. (Acts 19:13-16)

Everything is relational, whether we realize it or not. It isn’t about what we do. It isn’t even about what happens. It’s about seeking Him. Do you have a personal relationship with Christ? Do you know Him? Does He know you?! If so, then you have the most amazing privilege that there is. You can call on Him, anywhere, anytime and He will answer you.