O Lord, teach us to pray

I am sure most all of us have had times in our lives when we wondered if God was really hearing our prayers.

There are so many life situations that can make us feel that way. Maybe a prayer, prayed for a long time seemingly goes unanswered, and even worse, God seems so far away.

Perhaps a prayer, being prayed for a loved one in prolonged pain, might make one shout out an angry prayer to God.

Perhaps a difficult prayer concern, that had been prayed over and over, leaves one not knowing for what else to pray.

The above are just a few reasons we may cry out to God, “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer O Lord,” from Psalm 4:1.

God knew we would have those “dry” times in our lives and gave us assurance through his word to help us overcome our doubts and fears. When we have prayed and prayed, seemingly to no avail, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 can be of help to us. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

When we don’t give up praying, when we give thanks to God for being with us in all circumstances and seek his will in each situation, we will be able to rejoice, knowing we ”let go and let God,” trusting in Him. God can use all circumstances to help us grow in our faith and to have a closer walk with him.

During those times when we no longer know for what to pray, God’s word tells us in Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words, and he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Christ prays for us in heaven (Roman 8:34) and the spirit intercedes within us, bringing our longings to God. Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spiri.

Let our prayers be based on God’s unchanging word, his unfailing promises, his everlasting love and knowing that he answers our prayers in accordance with his will. We do not always know for what to ask, but God’s will is always for our good and for our salvation.

“And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

Jan Knicely,

Associate In Ministry, emeritus

Holy Trinity

Lutheran Church