A desire to see my children “walking in the Truth.”
Maybe it’s the fact that I have a five-year old and two grandsons, but the way the culture is heading has me concerned for their futures, too. The obvious spiritual decline in our churches and moral decay of the culture have become a point of regular conversation between me and God in recent months. More prayer.
By the way, it’s worth noting that my prayers are not always so high-minded. I routinely ask God to help me with the laundry, too. It’s easy to lose sight of the eternal significance that is found in the oh-so-daily tasks of life when bigger things that are totally out of my control feel, somehow, more pressing.
Even if I grant your point and admit that answers to prayer are theoretically possible, I shall still think they are infinitely improbable. I don’t think it at all likely that God requires the ill-informed (and contradictory) advice of us humans as to how to run the world. If He is all-wise, as you say He is, doesn’t He know already what is best? And if He is all-good, won’t He do it whether we pray or not?
The argument Lewis makes in his essay is powerful. He asserts that while God could predetermine every aspect of our lives, and while He certainly does not need our help … He chooses to let us have access to Him through prayer. Praying to our Creator offers “small creatures” like myself the dignity of being able to contribute to the course of events around us.
Imagine it! The One who made the rain is, by His own decision, willing to let us bring our concerns to Him. He listens, as if to say, “let’s talk about it in My study.”
We can sway the course of events around us through our prayers.
Take C.S. Lewis’ advice and meet Him in His study. Take it to the Lord in prayer.
And then—we’ll see.
It is humbling to know that our mighty God allows us to have a positive influence on events taking place around the world through the power of our prayers.
This question of does prayer make a difference has been on my mind a lot lately. I wonder. God continuously blesses me with all sorts of things I am not expecting. It’s just amazing – the timing is right & I wouldn’t have thought to ask for them. However those things that I do pray for, ask for – I see no answers. Sometimes I think Jesus has already done sooo much for us – died for us – perhaps we don’t have any right to ask for anything more. Perhaps we just need to accept the blessings that He has planned for us with a grateful heart AND accept the burdens he has planned for us & trust it’s all for a purpose. I am not sure that God changes anything just because we asked.
Just found this blog when I searched for “Christian stay at home mom podasts.” 🙂 I love it! Thank you for posts that address timely problems.
Welcome! I’m glad you’re here!