Open-ended Prayer

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1^st Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)

I was mulling over the many prayers I have prayed since adolescence and to my surprise found God had answered every one of them.  Some were simple prayers for faith, strength and guidance and some of them were for things for which I could not even imagine a viable answer.  These requests and petitions for what seemed impossible needs became outright miracles in later years. 

Some of the things I prayed for felt, at the time, like God really didn’t care; such as prayers for family members to come to a saving knowledge of Christ.  But looking back I see that God immediately went to work on their behalf yet would never violate their free will.  The final choice was theirs and I can only trust that my prayers on their behalf helped them toward the grace of Christ so that when they passed on they had changed their minds and embraced Him. 

We may be surprised to find that when we count our blessings God has answered our prayers.  I believe He answers more than we suppose.  Open-ended prayer strengthens our trust knowing God begins to work for us in ways we could never imagine.  When we can put those prayers together we see what He has done for us and hope in what He is yet to do.  This is the beauty of open-ended prayer.  This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Ken

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