prayer June 29, 2009
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NRSV). Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t say, “believe that you will receive it,” but rather, “believe that you have received it.” The tense difference argues that God isn’t only listening to us when we pray but has been listening all along.
In the asking, Jesus says, we’ve already received what we desire, although we don’t yet know it.
The typical life is full of groaning. Full of prayers. But God hears, and responds to, every prayer. Even if we pray badly. Even if we’re so self-centered that we can only pray for our own needs. Even if we pray without really believing God is listening. Even if we’re unaware God is there at all.
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