When You Speak, God Hears

Just had to share this from Max Lucado! You can receive these in your email also, just once a week or a daily devotional by going here

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.

From 
For These Tough Times: 
Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado

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· Learning to Live Loved

 

Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for these words from Max Lucado! Change the world, LORD...starting with me.

Hear my prayer. Hear the prayers offered here. This is what the Lighthouse of Prayer is ALL about! It's ALL about YOU, Almighty. Not us. Not even our prayers. Keep prayer ALIVE!

Stir the fires in each and every heart to speak to You! Thank You that You hear and do not turn a deafened ear to our many cries and pleas. Even the quiet, whispered prayer, You hear.

Thank You for those who have prayed for me. Thank You for the covering of those prayers. I know that without those prayers, I would be nothing. I am helpless. I am one in the great battle.

But when you join two or more together in Your all Powerful Name, there is strength. Demons will tremble. Thank You Lord...that it is not by my power or words or might, but YOURS!

Praise You most Holy and Awesome God that You listen! Such an aMazing thought as I enter into Your Presence. Thank You that one call goes up and You release the fleet of Heaven! Hear us, O LORD. Hear us from Heaven as we humbly bow before You, and exalt Your Holiness!

Thank You for answered prayers! Thank You for using us as Your vessels to bring light in any storm or any praise that brings You all the glory, honor & power is always YOURS alone!

Thank You for hearing and listening! You bless my heart and overwhelm me with tears!

Majesty, King of kings, and sweet Lord of my life. I come. I come to bless You & sing my praises and give You thanks. I adore You, LORD! Thank You sweet Jesus, there is none like You!