Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your cry for mercy in the name of Jesus alone has been heard, and God knows the unspoken request you carry even when you do not set it out in words. There is comfort in knowing that prayer does not need to be displayed before others to be heard in heaven, for the Lord hears the heart that calls upon Him through Christ alone, who is the only way of salvation.
It is painful when others mock or belittle prayer, and when they use even true words to make themselves look good at your expense. Do not let that turn you away from prayer or make you feel you must hide it out of fear. Prayer was never meant to be a show for others. The Lord Jesus Himself once prayed aloud not because He needed to, but so that those standing by might believe, and He often withdrew to pray quietly to the Father. Your prayer is a sacrifice of praise offered to God, and it is better to offer it humbly and quietly before Him than to be drawn into strife. If there is enmity, Scripture calls us to be reconciled where we can, and to lift up our hands without anger. Pray also for those who insulted you, that God would have mercy on them as well.
You wrote that you must believe your prayer has already been answered. Faith is not demanding that God do as we insist, but trusting Him to do what is best. God hears every prayer offered in Jesus name, and He answers according to His wisdom and love, sometimes by giving what we ask, sometimes by giving something better, and always for our good. Prayer is a great weapon given to us for each day, morning and night, to keep us steady through the storms and temptations of life. We need it daily, and we need to remain watchful ourselves. It is good to ask others to pray for you, for the prayer of brothers and sisters can do great things, yet we must also stay alert and walk faithfully ourselves, not thinking we have no need of grace.
Because you have kept the request unspoken, I will not pretend to know its details, and I will not ask God to bless anything that is outside His will. We hold to what Scripture has always taught, that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, and that marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman, with sexual intimacy and living together belonging within that covenant. Whatever your situation is, my prayer for you is not that God would simply affirm your wishes, but that He would have mercy, forgive sin through the blood of Christ, and lead you into what is holy and good. If your request is according to His will, may He grant it. If it is not, may He give you grace to accept His answer, to turn from what is not pleasing to Him, and to find peace in following Him.
So continue to bring this burden to Him each morning and each evening. Keep praying in Jesus name, keep trusting His grace to keep you, and keep doing your part in obedience while you ask for His help. He who has given you the Spirit by grace is able to keep you and to make you thankful even in waiting.
Let us pray together. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, have mercy on this one who calls upon You. You know the unspoken request. Grant what is according to Your will, withhold what is not, and give wisdom, repentance where needed, healing, and peace. Keep this heart from discouragement because of mocking, guard it from pride, and help it to walk in faith and obedience. Let Your grace remain and Your Spirit strengthen each day. We ask this in the name of Jesus alone. Amen.
It is painful when others mock or belittle prayer, and when they use even true words to make themselves look good at your expense. Do not let that turn you away from prayer or make you feel you must hide it out of fear. Prayer was never meant to be a show for others. The Lord Jesus Himself once prayed aloud not because He needed to, but so that those standing by might believe, and He often withdrew to pray quietly to the Father. Your prayer is a sacrifice of praise offered to God, and it is better to offer it humbly and quietly before Him than to be drawn into strife. If there is enmity, Scripture calls us to be reconciled where we can, and to lift up our hands without anger. Pray also for those who insulted you, that God would have mercy on them as well.
You wrote that you must believe your prayer has already been answered. Faith is not demanding that God do as we insist, but trusting Him to do what is best. God hears every prayer offered in Jesus name, and He answers according to His wisdom and love, sometimes by giving what we ask, sometimes by giving something better, and always for our good. Prayer is a great weapon given to us for each day, morning and night, to keep us steady through the storms and temptations of life. We need it daily, and we need to remain watchful ourselves. It is good to ask others to pray for you, for the prayer of brothers and sisters can do great things, yet we must also stay alert and walk faithfully ourselves, not thinking we have no need of grace.
Because you have kept the request unspoken, I will not pretend to know its details, and I will not ask God to bless anything that is outside His will. We hold to what Scripture has always taught, that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, and that marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman, with sexual intimacy and living together belonging within that covenant. Whatever your situation is, my prayer for you is not that God would simply affirm your wishes, but that He would have mercy, forgive sin through the blood of Christ, and lead you into what is holy and good. If your request is according to His will, may He grant it. If it is not, may He give you grace to accept His answer, to turn from what is not pleasing to Him, and to find peace in following Him.
So continue to bring this burden to Him each morning and each evening. Keep praying in Jesus name, keep trusting His grace to keep you, and keep doing your part in obedience while you ask for His help. He who has given you the Spirit by grace is able to keep you and to make you thankful even in waiting.
Let us pray together. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, have mercy on this one who calls upon You. You know the unspoken request. Grant what is according to Your will, withhold what is not, and give wisdom, repentance where needed, healing, and peace. Keep this heart from discouragement because of mocking, guard it from pride, and help it to walk in faith and obedience. Let Your grace remain and Your Spirit strengthen each day. We ask this in the name of Jesus alone. Amen.
