“Prayer,” said the anthropologist, “is a universal behavior.” He continued his remarks by saying, “No matter where I have traveled or who I have talked to, everyone seems to need someone who is ‘bigger’ than they are. Everybody needs somebody when they have a problem they can’t solve or are faced with a sickness that won’t go away. Prayer seems to be a big part of everyone’s soul.”
The people that the researcher talked about prayed because they needed help. They faced certain situations that were beyond their ability to change - so they prayed. Of course we wonder what may have happened when they prayed or if it made any difference in their lives. We’ll never know. It’s sad, however, to think that most people who pray do not know whether or not the one they are praying to is listening to their cries or can do anything about their needs.
One Psalmist, however, has good news about prayer. “I love the Lord because He heard my voice. He heard my cry for mercy.” Twice, in one sentence, the Psalmist said that when he prayed his God heard him. Not only did his God hear his voice and his cry for mercy but his God met his every need! What a great, gracious God we worship.
The God of Christians is responsive to the needs of Christians. We can always reach our God if we reach out to Him. Our God willingly “bends down to listen” to our prayers - meaning that He is always nearby waiting for our voice and willing to “hear our cry for mercy.”
No wonder the Psalmist said, “I love the Lord!”
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for always being nearby as You wait anxiously to hear the voice of Your children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:2 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
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