Battle For Our Prayers…Our Answers Will Come

The weekend of celebration is now passed. Mother’s Day brings such joy and celebration to so many and also a sense of great loss for those whose mother is not with them. Even though some of our Moms are gone, we have the opportunity to celebrate their lives, remember the things they taught us, the gentle hands that touched us in love. So, it is Monday. Woke this morning thinking about the sustaining prayer that gets us through the difficult days, like yesterday. Lord, help us to remember the good things, the sweet memories, her face, her voice. God does hear our prayers…And He answers. I have been journaling prayers since 2001. Not every single day but as things press in on me, out comes the journal and pen and quiet time. Writing letters to my Father in heaven. My Hello Father letters.

As I contemplated Mother’s Day approaching, I decided to go back a number of years and read through one of my journals. It was emotional, but the time spent was so worth it. In reading through I realized that there have been so many worries and fears that I was prevented from experiencing,  because I asked that I be spared. There were also some heartbreaking events that I was not. The “why” God questions. The feeling of abandonment in the middle of a crisis. The loss and grief to follow the passing of loved ones. The times when crushing disappointment in relationships overwhelmed me with disappointment. Writing in the middle of the night, with an answer that came before the sun rose. Questions to our Father of what next? What direction would You have me walk?

Journaling prayers and concerns to God is like counseling. The only expense required is paper and a pen. I saw all emotions as I read through. Celebration of victories in my life and the lives of my children.  The realization that only God can change people. Understanding that sorrow is an experience that no human gets a pass on. It is a way of pouring out our hearts on paper to the living God. God has big shoulders. He already knows what we are thinking. Instead of holding it all inside, write it on paper. Ask for those things that seem too impossible to ever happen. You will be amazed at the answers that come. It may take several years, but there it was, recorded in my journal. God did answer so many times. Not always exactly what I requested but the outcome was always His will and ultimately my best answer.

The prophet Daniel knew about answers to prayer. He was troubled by what God’s children were going to endure in the battle that would be brought against them. Scripture says he prayed and was in mourning and fasting for three weeks. Twenty-one days of waiting, mourning, no food, no comfort…Waiting on the answer from God. Suddenly a being appears to him. In his own words:

Daniel 10: 5-9, 12-14

5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult. 7 Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.

This messanger then begins to explain why the answer was delayed:

12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”

There is a battle going on that desires to prevent our relationship with God from being successful.  God hears our prayers from the first day we pray them. The answers may be delayed. But they will come. The answers may not be what we expected. But God will always answer. It may be quick or it may take years. But after reading through my journal, I know with confidence that He answers.

That loved one who is suffering from health issues. The loss of loved ones. That relationship that seems nothing can heal. That child that seems determined to go down the wrong road. The inability to forgive or receive forgiveness. The financial difficulty that looms huge before you. The disappointment in people you thought you could trust. Fear, fear, fear…of the unknowns in our future. All the above and more…Pray over them, write them on paper, leave them there for God to work out for you. Then down the road,  on a day when you think things are not going as you planned, open that journal up and go back. Oh the encouragement that will come when you realize all the times God heard and answered! There it is on paper. Documented. You prayed. He answered. Your sadness, your grief, your questions to Almighty God recorded. The times you turned situations and people you have no control over, to the God of the universe. Jesus knew His Father heard His prayers and would asnwer when he stood before the tomb of Lazarus. When we are believers in Christ, our prayers reach God through Him.

~ Scripture For Today~

John 11: 41-42

41 “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always; (KJV)

~Prayer For Today~

Hello Father! We have a new day before us. Let us walk through this day with love and wisdom, courage and compassion. We lift our voices to You with our concerns for those we love and for situations out of our control. You are the music to this new day. Whatever we put our hands to do, let us do it as unto the Lord. Thank You that You hear our prayers and You answer.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.