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. He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God 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.” Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.
Then, the angel “filled the incense pan with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth” (Rev. 8:5). One call and Heaven’s fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God’s power in heaven, and “God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.”
You are the someone of God’s kingdom. You have access to God’s furnace. 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, thunder falls.
And when thunder falls, the world is changed.
All because someone prayed.
From Lucado Inspirational Reader
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado
Dear Lord
Change not Thy will in my life
Or trial and sorrows to be
Renew my faith and make me strong
Change not Thy will, change me!
~
Though teardrops fall when trouble comes
Like storms on a rolling sea
Let Thy beacon guide my ship to port
Change not the storm, change me!
~
When Thy Holy Word I don't understand
And Thy Glory I cannot see
Teach my eyes, give me sight and wisdom
Change not Thy Word, change me!
~
If the fruit Thou hast given me to eat
Taste bitter and sour, I plea
Let not my will but Thine be done
Change not the fruit, change me!
~
If sometime I murmur and grumble, Dear Lord
About the cross I carry for Thee
Keep it firm on my shoulders, but hold my hand
Change not the cross, change me!
~
If You change Thy ways to please me, Dear Lord
I would soon grow cold and turn from Thee
That You may hear my prayers, Dear Lord
Change not Thy ways, change me!
~
There's a valley that I must cross
Someday Thy face to see
Lest I forget what power is Thine
Change not the valley, change me!
~Author Known To God~
Once again, Lord Jesus Christ, I face the power of acedia [sloth].
Against the torrent of oblivion, I plead the blood of Jesus.
When the day stretches out before me and I am tempted to despair, encourage my soul through rhythms of prayer and work.
When I imagine my life would be easier if only I were somewhere else, help me not to flee but to trust your grace in this place.
When I lack attentive care for my neighbor, remind me how you laid down your life for me when I was still an enemy.
Deliver me from acedia, that I might greet that of you in every person and know the place where I am standing to be holy ground.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
-Common Prayer Pocket Edition: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, by Shane Claiborne & Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
Learn more about Common Prayer Pocket Edition
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