“God hears & answers every prayer. Yes. No. Later. Those are his answers.”
I don’t recall how long it’s been since I first heard that, but I know it showed up pretty early in my journey. Maybe bible college. Nevertheless, I do remember how obviously true it seemed. Indeed, it seems to be accepted as God’s truth in evangelical circles today.
Perhaps, because it makes the point that God answers our prayer in His time, not ours. Just because the answer doesn’t come when we want, doesn’t mean that He hasn’t heard, nor that He won’t grant our request later.
But as I came across this bit of popular dogma in a recent tweet from somewhat prominent Christian leader, I was struck by its implications. It assumes a very limited communication with God. As if prayer is almost exclusively about us asking God for things, with His only response being the granting of said request… or not … at least not yet.
But is that all there is to prayer? Is that the extent of our communication with God? We apply for a grant and then wait to see what happens?
Like so many aspects of our faith, this strikes me as an area where much is assumed, but not always examined. And as we move forward, identification of those assumptions seems prudent. So, let’s begin there.
What are your assumptions about communication with God? Is it one-way or two-way? A dialogue, or discrete monologues? What role should “prayer list” have in our prayers?
What Scriptures come to mind as you think about our communication with God?
In Scripture, we God seems to communicate with individuals through various means –
- Angels (e.g., Luke 1:26-38)
- Visions & Dreams (Acts 16:9-10)
- The Spirit (Acts 16:6-7)
- Direct Communication (Genesis 12:1-3)
Which of these would you expect to be active today? Would you distinguish between “active” and “normative”?
Consider Jesus’ instructions on prayer (Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13). With familiar passages like these, it is easy to focus on truths already learned. But take a few minutes and just observe all that Jesus says. What do we learn about the nature of prayer?
What assumptions lie behind Jesus’ teaching in these passages?
What questions do these passages raise?