Read Psalm 116.
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy."
What prayers has God answered for you recently? If I am being honest, it took me a lot longer than I expected to come up with something. Not because God hasn’t answered any of my prayers, but because I often don’t even realize that He has. In times of want or need, I ask for God’s provisions (typically with a predicated thought of how I want the prayer to be answered). Once God answers that prayer (usually in a different way than I expected), I move right on to the next prayer, seldom taking the time to rejoice and be thankful for His answer to my previous prayer.
Several weeks ago, I found myself with little to do at work. All of my projects had been finished or were on hold. I asked others on my team if they needed any help with their stuff. All of them said no. I did everything thing I could think of to keep myself busy, but quickly finished all of those tasks as well. All I could do at this point was just sit at my desk and look busy. But the lack of actual work was agonizing to me. I have a hard time sitting still and always feel the need to be doing something productive. So I asked God to provide me with work to do. A few days later, I was busier than ever. I was getting to work early and staying late in order to keep up. And even then, that did not seem like enough. I found myself stressed, exhausted and asking God to save me from the work that, just a few days prior, I was so desperate for. Oh the irony. One day I am asking God for something, and the next I am asking for the very opposite. All with little gratitude when answered.
“Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live”
Taking time to reflect allows us to see where God is at work in our lives. It provides us with the opportunity to see how God is answering our prayers. We then get to respond in worship and thanks! These answered prayers are also an encouragement to us in a time of need. Many times throughout the story of God’s people, we see them remind themselves of God’s faithfulness in the past in order to help them trust Him in the present.
Take some time this week to reflect on prayers God has answered. (If you are like me, it may be easier to think on the last few weeks than the last few years.) What were you praying for? How long were you praying over this? Did God answer your prayers in the way you expected him to or in a different way? This can be done in your GC, DNA or personal time. I encourage you to share the fruit of this reflection with others and respond to God’s goodness with praise.
“Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
-- Eric Powell