I am often asked about answered prayer and how does prayer work. Prayer is about relationship more than about answers. Our earnest prayers do not convince a reluctant God to act on our behalf, but rather, they provide an opportunity for us to open ourselves to God and to get to know Him. As we pour out our hearts and tell him our hurts, we find that He listens.

In reading the Bible we receive his comfort and guidance. In our weakness we learn to depend upon Him. Prayer is God’s answer to our poverty, not a power we exercise to obtain an answer. The right function of faith, in prayer and in life, is to open us up to God and to deliver us over to God.

I’m reminded of a small boy who ran to his father with a broken toy. "Fix this for me, Dad," he demanded. He was still of the age when a boy has absolute confidence that his father can fix anything. And being of an impatient nature, he wanted it fixed now. One day this wise father said, "Stay awhile, son, and watch me. Let’s fix this together." Day after day, as they were working on the broken toy, heads together, talking softly, father and son got to know each other better. As the boy fetched screws and nails for his father and held certain parts while his father hammered and glued, he learned some important skills for his life’s work.

God is like that father. He desires for us to bring our broken dreams, broken relationships and broken bodies to Him. Often He does not fix them for us now but invites us to spend time with Him in a loving relationship and in so doing we experience the comfort of His healing presence. And in the process we learn that our prayers are answered not when we are given what we asked for but when we are challenged to be what we can be.

When God heals now, give Him praise; when God does not heal now, give Him praise. No matter what the answer, know that God has acted in love and wisdom toward you. And in eternity all will be healed.

Brother Roy