What comes to mind when you hear the word “prayer”?
Do you envision folded hands by a bedside or bowed heads around the dinner table? Maybe you instantly think of “prayer requests” or “prayers of confession.”
You know, prayer is one of the greatest privileges we have as Christians. Because it’s only through Jesus that we can enter the presence of Almighty God to find the help and mercy we need.
But what if I told you that the #1 purpose of prayer isn’t merely to get help, but to get to know God?
Jeremiah 33:3 says “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (ESV)
God answers prayer. Sometimes He says “yes,” sometimes He says “no” and other times He simply says, “wait.” But every time God answers prayer, He is giving us a glimpse of who He is—His character.
When He says yes and provides the miracle, He is declaring His power and whispering His love.
When He says no to something we think we want, He’s showing us that He is a good Father—who sees the bigger picture and mercifully works to protect us.
When difficult circumstances seem unchanged by prayer, God is teaching us that He is trustworthy even when we can’t see Him at work.
And when He tells us to wait, He reveals Himself as the ever-present God who waits with us.
Answered prayers reveal things about God we didn’t know before. And ultimately, that is the answer to prayer that we really need. Because earthly provisions aren’t lasting, but God’s character is unchanging.
And a right understanding of God isn’t just going to help us today. It’s going to change the way we approach tomorrow and whatever challenges it brings us.
So let me ask you:
How have you seen God answer prayer? And what did that teach you about His character?
If you’re having trouble identifying what He is teaching you about Himself, start with God’s Word. Note what the Bible says about God’s character and then start looking for how those attributes of God are active in your everyday life.
Our God is a God who reveals Himself to us. So let’s seek Him in prayer and in His Word this week.