As believers, one of the most powerful and unifying things we can do is band together in prayer. This past weekend, the believers of Alamance County, my hometown county, joined together in prayer. God hears prayers.
In my life, prayer has been something I usually kept between God and me. I always take my turn to pray at the dinner table, but beyond that, I would never volunteer myself to close out Sunday school or small group. I was always concerned that my prayers would never be holy or eloquent enough. I worried what others would think of the requests I made to God. Was I asking too much? Was it childlike? What was I forgetting?
Sunday night I stood among a sea of believers, many whom I knew and many whom I had never seen before. However whether I knew them or not, I was confident they came believing the same thing I do: prayer is powerful. God hears prayers. God answers prayers. God loves prayer. As believers, we should delight to pray. The thought of praying out loud used to terrify me, but I have come to realize (and accept the fact) that prayer is simply a heart to heart conversation with our Heavenly Father. It is talking to Him like you would talk to your best friend here on earth. God hears prayers.
"Then if my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Sunday night as I looked around at the people gathered- young, old, male, female, black, white, hispanic, tall, short -- I was refreshed and encouraged. These people were unified in prayer circles, holding hands and hugging each other all bound together by prayer. Their prayers lifted up the officers who serve our county, the families who live there, the leaders who guide, and the God who oversees it all. In these uncertain times, we can still remain certain that God hears every word we humbly commit to Him. He longs to hear the troubles of your heart and He longs to give you the peace you need for comfort.
This week, while Pinteresting, I came across a question that really made me think. Have you prayed about it as much as you've talked about it? It was the reality check that I needed. How often do we waste our energy complaining about the trials of life and trying to forecast the future? God has called us to bring all of those things to Him in prayer, confidently believing in His great power and plan. God hears prayers.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14
Don't be mistaken -- God hasn't "forgotten about us" or "refused to intervene" in the troubles here on earth. He is waiting patiently (and will continue to wait) for His people to cry out to Him. God hears prayers.
