The reality is, my prayers don’t change God. But, I am convinced prayer changes me. Praying boldly boots me out of that stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God Himself. – Lysa TerKeurst
Does God cause things to happen in answer to prayer? I believe He does. Do we always get the response we are hoping for when we pray? I know that I don’t. I really like the Lisa TerKeurst quote above because it made me think seriously about prayer and the powerful force it can be in my life.
I agree with Lysa’s statement that prayers don’t change God. Even though God might be moved to do something in answer to one of my prayers, He doesn’t change who He is. God was and is and always will be the same. His character doesn’t change and His will doesn’t change. We may not like the answers we receive to our prayers, but God’s answers are always true to His nature and within His ultimate will.
God replied to Moses, “I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. ~Exodus 3:14-15 (NLT)
Prayer cannot change God. Prayer can, however, bring about changes in me. It can change both my character and my will. It can change my attitude toward others. Prayer can cause me to make better decisions, and it can give me strength and encouragement to follow through with the decisions I have made. Prayer can make me brave when I am afraid. And it can bring me comfort when I am hurting.
Did you ever notice that when you prayed for a person you were angry with, there was a change in you and how you felt about the person you prayed for? Did you become less angry? Did you gain understanding about that person? Have you ever prayed about a difficult situation and discovered that your attitude changed and the situation improved? I’ve prayed similar kinds of prayers and experienced similar changes in my own life.
I’ve also prayed for guidance, courage, strength, and inspiration. I discovered that when I connected with God through prayer on a regular basis, and opened my heart up to His Spirit, I was given guidance, courage, strength, and inspiration because I was in an authentic relationship with the One who made me.
Do you spend enough time in prayer? I know that I don’t. I want prayer to have a higher priority in my life so that God can mold me into the person He wants me to become. It gives me comfort to know that I can’t change God, but God can sure change me.
Be blessed, dear readers. Let’s encourage each other to spend more time in relationship with the Father.