A lot of people has become prayerful since the pandemic happened. When faced with fear and anxiety, one can have a choice — to lose faith or to hold on. One Covid-19 positive individual told me that he will testify about God’s goodness once he gets out of the quarantine facility. One also promised to be more faithful to the Lord once she recovers. They have been praying fervently when they got their results. Let it be that they will honor their promises to God, and that God will answer the desires of their hearts.
Here are a few reminders that we should remember in praying:
First, let us remember to pray to God, and not to idols or any graven images.
The Bible is full of reminders not to put our trust in idols made by human hands.
Psalm 115:4-8 remind us that these idols cannot answer our prayers — “But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”
Second, we must pray from the heart, and not a repetitive prayer.
Jesus in Matthew 6:7 said, “But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their many words.”
This tells us that we should converse with God on what we feel and what we desire. Prayer is a conversation, and not a memorization. In the Bible, we can see a lot prayers that were written down. We can learn a lot on how they prayed, and how they poured out their hearts to God. John 17 is beautiful example of an earnest prayer.
Third, let us be assured that God hears our prayers.
The Prophet Jeremiah recorded what God said “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
God is telling us to seek His presence and pray from the heart. Then, and only then, will God answer us.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications
Central Philippine University