PRAYER IS MAKING A REQUEST

PRAYER IS MAKING A REQUEST!

1 Sam 1:17

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

           Hannah had gone to worship and to pray. She wanted a baby – a man child – and as she prayed her lips moved but she made no sound. Eli, in a clumsy and insensitive judgment, accused her of being drunk. She explained her situation and then Eli, blushing I think, agreed to join her in asking God to grant her petition. The word “petition” is the Hebrew word she’elah and it means “a petition; a loan or a request.”

           When we pray, we must remember God’s position and our position. He is supreme! He is the God of the universe and can control circumstances to favor us. We are beggars at His throne. We do not make demands even though we have been adopted as sons.

           God’s holiness and wisdom does not permit Him to grant every request. He knows much better than we that what we are asking for may not be in our own best interests. He may say no because He knows it would not be good for us if He said yes. He may also choose to answer with something different but better than what we asked for.

           Paul prayed three times that his thorn-in-the-flesh would be removed. It would seem to be a reasonable request. If I did not walk with a limp, I could serve God more efficiently. Ah, but I would not have any need of Him when walking. I could do it all myself. So God said NO to Paul’s request and offered him grace instead. See 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.

Rom 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Thank you Lord that you know my heart as well as my need. Thank you for filtering my prayers which are sometimes ignorant and selfish. Thank you for giving me your very own best. AMEN