Tuesday, October 13, 2009

When You Speak, God Hears


When You Speak, God Hears
by Max Lucado

Those who pray keep alive the watch fires of faith. For the most part we don't even know their names. Such is the case of someone who prayed on a day long ago. His name is not important. He is important not because of who he was, but because of what he did.

He went to Jesus on behalf of a friend. His friend was sick, and Jesus could help, and someone needed to go to Jesus, so someone went. Others cared for the sick man in other ways. Some brought food; others provided treatment; still others comforted the family. Each role was crucial. Each person was helpful, but no one was more vital than the one who went to Jesus.

John writes: "So Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick'" (John 11:3, emphasis mine).

Someone carried the request. Someone walked the trail. Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus. And because someone went, Jesus responded.

In the economy of heaven, the prayers of saints are a valued commodity. John the apostle would agree. He wrote the story of Lazarus and was careful to show the sequence: The healing began when the request was made.

The phrase the friend of Lazarus used is worth noting. When he told Jesus of the illness, he said, "The one you love is sick." The power of the prayer, in other words, does not depend on the one who makes the prayer but on the one who hears the prayer.

We can and must repeat the phrase in manifold ways. "The one you love is tired, sad, hungry, lonely, fearful, depressed." The words of the prayer vary, but the response never changes. The Savior hears the prayer. He silences heaven so he won't miss a word. The Master heard the request. Jesus stopped whatever he was doing and took note of the man's words. This anonymous courier was heard by God.

John's message is critical. You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God--and he listens.

Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. "The smoke from the incense went up from the angel's hand to God" (Rev. 8:4). Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.

One call and heaven's fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God's power in heaven.

You are the someone of God's kingdom. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don't need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!

When you speak, Jesus hears.

And when Jesus hears, the world is changed.

All because someone prayed.

23 comments:

~Sandy said...

This is a wonderful post. Sometimes we fail to realize just how powerful and life changing our prayers can be.
God bless you my friend. You are a blessing to me. *hugs*

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful...but then I've never read anything of Max Lucado that was not.

Very timely for me...thanks for posting it!♥

Denise said...

Such an inspiring post, thank you sweetie.

Loren said...

what a wonderful post today!! Never thought of prayer in this way....any and all prayer warriors should hear this

love you and am praying for you all!

RCUBEs said...

Prayer does change everything. This act helps us remember how truly we are in need of God. And with Him, nothing is impossible. Thank you for sharing this sister Kat. I love that picture, too! God bless.

Parsley said...

Yes he hears. Sometimes people want God to immediately ACT on what they pray about. I've learned God responds in His timing and in His way; not necessarily the way we want or expect.

Thanks for sharing. Be blessed.

Danae Hudson said...

I think I needed this. Thank you.

Laurie said...

Powerful! This is beautiful. It stirs me to pray and to look expectantly to God. Love you, Laurie (I love Max Lucado's writings.)

Mich said...

Oh to be able to write like Max. Love him and the gift God blessed him with.

This was beautiful. thanks for sharing it.

COUNTRY MOM said...

Kat, Prayer does change things... The Power Of Prayer is Awesome. Blessings, Audrey

Tracy said...

Thanks for this post. What a wonderful encouragement today to pray.
(BTW; I liked this post so much that I've listed it on my right sidebar. I keep a list of 2-3 posts worth reading that I change out every couple of days.)

Kat said...

Hi, Kat.

I forgot to tell you how much I like your new header. Is this your deck?

Making a video is super easy if you have video software. I have microsoft movie maker on my computer. If you have that I will be delighted to walk you through the process of making your very own video. If I can do it... you know it is easy!

The barn is breathtaking. It is about a hundred years old. When the owner, Joe's father died, and they inherited the farm, you could not walk into the barn for the damage. Their farm was hit by a tornado three years ago when they had just begun construction. Actually, they said the man who was roofing that day reported the slate tiles that were going on the roof actually lifted into the air! Anyway, they now rent all those fields out to adjacent farms. And while the barn is workable as what it was intended for and even has milking stalls and equipment they use it for storing the tractor and antique wagon and "stuff". I wish I had gotten a picture of the beautiful farm house across from it!

I thought of you this morning when my husband left town before the sun got here. I hope you are doing well with steve gone. I know I always hate when Allen is out of town!

Love to you,

Kat

Mari said...

I'm always touched by Max Lucado's writing. This one touched me because of the way it shows prayer as talking to God. Of course, we know that we are talking to God, but the comparison to the friend of Lazarus really makes the point!

He & Me + 3 said...

Beautiful and so good to know that He hears and answers our prayers.

momstheword said...

It is so nice to know that when we pray, God is listening. We aren't praying to a make-believe God!

About the flash freezing, you can do that with cooked bacon too. Then all you have to do is warm it up in the oven.

I also am going to make up a batch of cookies and flash freeze the little balls. Then I can just take out a few balls of dough and make cookie anytime.

You could do it with meatballs too. Then they won't stick together in the bag.

Darcie said...

How beautiful this. I hope I really value the place of prayer like I should. It is the depth of our need that touches the depths of Gods heart.

Thank you for sharing.

Saleslady371 said...

So true. Prayer is powerful conversation with our heavenly Father. What could be better than that?

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

Max Lucado is such a great writer isn't he? I have read a few of his books. Lovely post. Hope you are managing ok without Steve.
Love Collette xxx

Elle Bee said...

Kat, this was awesome and something I really needed to read. Sometimes I just feel like my prayers don't matter or they won't change anything. Thank you for posting this so I know how wrong that thinking is. "Your prayer on earth activates God's power in heaven" How amazing that is!! How wonderful!
elle

Just Be Real said...

Kat, this was lovely! Max Lucado is a wonderful writer. Thank you for sharing dear one. Blessings to you and yours!

Crown of Beauty said...

I love Max Lucado. Thanks for sharing this post. Prayer is our lifeline to heaven!

Love
Lidj

christy rose said...

This is just beautiful! I love Max Lucado and am always touched by his writings in some way. Thanks for sharing this.
Love, Christy

John said...

Can you tell me the title of the painting and the name of the artist?