7 Things Your Prayer Means to God

IF THERE is anything we do often, it is to pray. We pray when we are happy and when we are sad.

We pray when we are frightened and when we are calm. We pray that God will carry, save and sustain us.

However, if prayer means this much to us, what does it mean to God?

Prayer means obedience.

WHEN JESUS taught his disciples to pray, he led by example.

They saw him give thanks before he fed the five thousand (John 6:11).

The disciples were with him when he raised an only son back to life (Luke 7:11-17).

They saw him stay all night in prayer with the Father (Luke 6:12).

The disciples saw him pray before he called Lazarus out of the grave (John 11:38-44).

So when he told them that men should always pray and not lose heart, they took it as a command (Luke 18:1). They knew he meant it.

Prayer shows God his place in you.

GOD NEVER tells you to do anything that means nothing to him.

He told Noah to build an ark to keep him safe (Gen. 6:13-22). So, Noah’s well-being was important to Him.

GOD TOLD Abram to leave his country and father’s house and go to a land he would show him (Gen. 12:1).

So, God was very concerned about Abram’s future.

No wonder when God told him that he would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he knew he had to intercede for his nephew (Gen. 18:16-33).

Abraham‘s prayer showed that he understood God's heart, and God knew where Abraham’s heart was.

Prayer shows God your reliance on Him.

ISRAEL knew where King Jehoshaphat’s heart was when he called a solemn assembly.

He received news that the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites had come to wage war against him.

He prayed: Our God, will you not judge them? We have no power to face this vast army attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (2 Chron. 20:12)

God came to his rescue because Jehoshaphat depended on Him.

Prayer is a place to express your desire for God

Prayer shows your trust in God.

GOD SAW the same dependence in the apostles when they interceded for Peter.

They had lost Stephen and didn't want to lose Peter, so they prayed regularly for him (Acts 12:5).

DAVID trusted in God when he told Saul, The Lord, who saved me from the lion and the bear, will save me from this Philistine (1 Sam. 17:37).

Prayer shows your desire for God.

YOU SPEND time with a loved one because you have something in common to discuss.

Jesus spent time with the Father, too.

Prayer is one place you express your desire for God.

David did that when he said: As the deer pants after the waters, my soul longs after you (Psalm 42:1).

Prayer is taking ownership.

GOD SEES ownership whenever you go on your knees in prayer.

Daniel prayed to God to act when he saw the seventy-week prophecy in the scriptures.

O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city called by your name.

For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy (Dan. 9:18)

While you see sovereignty on God’s side, God sees ownership on your side.

Prayer shows your direction.

WHEN NEHEMIAH fasted and prayed for Israel, God saw his direction.

Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this servant and your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man (Nehemiah 1:11).

You choose your direction when you pray.

Bringing it Together

PERHAPS it’s a mistake that has haunted you for years or a future that's not humanly feasible, a marriage that's at the brink of collapse, a loved one that wouldn't change his ways or a medical diagnosis that has defied treatments; there's one more thing to do. You can pray.

Pray because God commanded it; pray because your miracle is a prayer away!