We all agree that prayer is important, but have you ever asked yourself why? Go ahead and ask … what answer did you get?
I always thought prayer was about changing things. That’s true, but in reality it’s all about what changes. And then the whole element of faith has to enter into the equation. Perhaps another way to look at it is that “faith” changes things and prayer changes something else.
So many times, I’ve been in a place where I thought my “situation” needed to change and I prayed about it, but God didn’t change it. He knew that even if He did change it, I’d still be unhappy in some way or another because my heart didn’t change. That’s when I stepped back and looked at the real purpose of prayer.
God uses all situations in our life for one purpose and (I think) one purpose only… to stir up in our heart a need for Him that can’t be satisfied with anything else. And that’s when we get to know Him. That’s when we find ourselves becoming content with the situation or circumstances surrounding us. It’s not about seeing things change, it’s about seeing ourselves change.
The scripture that is a key part of Walk With God Ministries is Rev 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door; I will come in to him and sup with him and he with Me. What it represents to me is that we are our own “doorman” and it’s up to each of us (individually) to open the door when He knocks. He isn’t going to open it Himself because He knows that it’s a “wise bride” that will open the door and enjoy being in His presence.
But that doesn’t mean that Jesus is then bound to come in under an obligation to answer my prayer. That part of the process is up to Him. One thing is for certain, however, if He doesn’t answer my prayer I can be “absolutely certain” that He has something far better in mind for me. But I will never find out what that is if I don’t open the door. James 4:2 sums it up… you have not because you ask not.
Yes, our faith lays hold of God’s promises, and prayer opens the door to His presence. But the bigger and far more important question is … are we ready to change?