I sit here and experience a small portion of God's power and creation as Hurricane Irene rolls over the Eastern Coast. The roads are bare as people remain inside to avoid the floods, winds and rain. I am also supremely blessed as our electricity has remained on through the whole ordeal...but I didn't get on to blog about the hurricane.
You're probably looking at the title and wondering "What does this have to do with inadequate prayers, and what are inadequate prayers?"
How many times have you watched the news and witnessed a tornado, earthquake, hurricane, tsunami or some other sort of natural disaster attack an area and wished you could do something? I know. I'm guilty of this. Haiti, New Orleans, Japan, Joplin: these are a few of the many recent disasters I've witnessed in my past. During the hype of publicity and empathy going out to the victims, I've always wondered- what can I do? I've wanted to go visit and help with the relief efforts, but I can't afford the traveling expenses. I've wanted to send relief funds, but who do you trust the money with? It may sound like a bunch of excuses but in all honesty, money is tight for everyone these days. Sometimes our only option to "help" is prayer.
Funny how we say that: 'Our only option'. You may not say it that way but how many times have you thought it? "Well, this is all I can do." "It's the only way I can pitch in." -- all, only. Why do we look at prayer as our last resort? Sadly, today, if we do not feel helpful or productive in actions then we assume that whatever else we do is inadequate.
I can't begin to describe the many times I've had the attitude of "all I can do is sit back and pray". Does God consider my prayers as a last resort? No, never! He listens to my seemingly "inadequate prayer" just as attentively as he would if I had spent two hours praying for a personal issue in my life. Why then do we deem our prayers not worthy enough of His attention?
I don't believe this deals only with natural disasters. I think we still have this 'inadequate prayer' attitude...too often. Have we forgotten who we're praying to? (Luke 6:12 "And it came to pass in those days, that he went into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.") He's there waiting for our prayers 24/7 without holidays! Remember the verse "Pray without ceasing". Do you think He would command that of us if He wasn't going to be on call to listen?
I challenge myself and you to put more sincerity into our prayers- to realize that every word is significant and nothing is missed by our Lord. (Psalm 55:17 "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.") Note that it doesn't say he 'might' hear my voice. He 'shall' hear my voice. What about those times you don't know what to say? (Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.")
Prayers should not be our last resort; they should be our first response.
Jeremiah 29:12 "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."
