1 John 5:14 – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
If you battle depression, have issues with excessive anxiety, or consider yourself a worrier, the concept of giving things to God completely can be hard to grasp. Oftentimes, the default is not to pray and move on, but to worry, despair, agonize and become hopeless.
And when we do decide to give our issues to God, we take them right back by continuing to worry and stress about them! We know in our minds that God receives our prayers, but in a lot of cases, we haven’t fully committed that understanding to our hearts.
What if we were absolutely confident that when we prayed, God heard us? How much calmer and peaceful would we be knowing that we don’t have to shoulder all of our burdens? That He’s looking out for our BEST interests?
If you’re struggling with being confident in your prayers, take note of this story:
One day an older man named Freddy fell off of his horse at a rodeo show after suffering a massive heart attack. Onlookers rushed to call the paramedics, while his body became lifeless on the ground.
But even though Freddy’s body was lifeless, his spirit still remained. He recounted being surrounded by darkness, but having no fear of it. He said the only thing he had an experience of in that void was Jesus. And with Him, Freddy only felt pure joy, unlike anything he’d ever felt on earth.
Strangely, He didn’t have any memory of his wife or kids while there. All that was left after his time on earth was the love of Jesus. (Wow!)
But here’s the kicker: When the people at the rodeo began to pray, God allowed Freddy’s spirit to see the prayers going up for him as bolts of light! First there was one bolt, then several. All around him, Freddy could see and feel the prayers that people were sending up to God for him.
In that darkness, there was nothing but Freddy, Jesus, and prayer. How phenomenal is that??!!
And Freddy recalled that God heard and honored those prayers by sending him back to earth…
I believe God used Freddy to show all of us who would believe that He is indeed receiving and answering our prayers. (To see Freddy’s testimony, watch here)
Sometimes He answers yes. Sometimes He answers no. And sometimes He says, “Wait.” But we can always be confident that when we pray, God IS listening and that if He answers “no” to our requests, that means He’s answering “yes” to our best!
Take some time today to write down all of the prayers you feel God has answered for you in the past. Ask Him to forgive you for your lack of confidence in Him. Then get down on your knees, and pray about your concerns with your whole heart!
He’s listening…
Sincerely,
Alexia
What an Amazing Word! I’m a Worrier and I have to continue to remind myself that the battle is not mine but the Lord’s.
G, It’s good to know that even when we are faithless, He is faithFUL!
Amen!
He’s got us even when we have the nerve to not trust Him!
This right here! You already know I struggle with talking in class but what if I surrender my fears or gave them to God so that it didn’t feel such like a burden. It would for sure bless me but others around me too. I just admitted that I have a tough exterior but soft as cotton. It’s because I hate feeling. But i also struggle with surrendering. But anywho this bless me. Thanks
Lelia, I struggle too!!! You see I’ve never volunteered to pray, haha. If I do talk, I REALLY have to force myself. But I’d love to hear your commentary. I’m sure your words will bless us all! Can’t wait to hear you speak next class… 😉
This was an excellent devotional!! Eye opening!! God ALWAYS hears us and sees us, that was a major takeaway for me. The imagery painted of the lights going up to Heaven (those prayers) makes me even more confident in my communication with the Father. Thank you Alexia ☺️
Ebony, you are the SWEETEST!! Yes, God is definitely listening and doing what’s absolutely BEST for us!