What Happens When Men Pray
‘When men pray, God stands to attention!’
I woke early the other morning, long before the sunlight had penetrated the darkness. It was cold and dark, so I turned on the heater and the lamp in the lounge room after quietly closing my bedroom door so that I didn’t disturb my wife.
As I sat down in my comfortable chair, I pulled out my iPhone, clicked on to my YouVersion Bible App and started to enjoy the words of David as recorded in the book of Psalms. David doesn’t hold back on his punches towards his enemies and his requests to his God. He speaks strongly, praises boldly, and pleads desperately.
And as I read Psalm after Psalm, there seemed to be a common thread throughout them. David’s God always came through for his man – ‘a man after his own heart’. And it was then that the statement, ‘When men pray, God stands to attention!’ burst into my mind.
Now for many religious and pious people that may seem somewhat disrespectful or even bombastic as a statement – to think that the Creator of the universe would do such a thing. And yet let me remind you of what Jesus once said, ‘Ask and it shall be given to you…’
As a parent, when my children ask me for something I am quick to respond, swift to give, and ready to aid. So why wouldn’t our Heavenly Father, far greater than any earthly father, be as responsive to the cries of His children – the very one’s whom he created in the first place for His good pleasure.
So pray expectantly, for your Heavenly Father awaits with great anticipation to answer you – His child. For He will surely move heaven and earth to answer the cries of your heart.
Posted: 10/06/2010
25.01.11
I recently received an invitation to a Christian event, within my local community, as business leader where you have been billed as a motivational speaker. I took note of your website and as you see have paid you a visit. After reading your post on prayer, I thought I might offer, for your consideration, my thoughts on the same. I am not as you describe pious or religious. I don’t nearly qualify for such commendation, but I hope my ideas cause you to inquire just as yours have caused me to inquire.
If God stood to attention when I prayed He would not be God. I would be God. If my prayer could change God, He would not be God. I would be God. If every thing I asked for was given to me, He would not be God. He would be the genie in my bottle, for my good pleasure and my keeping.
The Bible says that I was created for His Glory and good pleasure. Not Him for my glory and pleasure. If I ask in His name, that will He do that the Father may be glorified through the Son is often extracted from scripture. However, it must be conditionally, in His name. This does not mean to append, ” in Jesus’ name”, at the end of my sentence of request. It means I seek to discover what His perfect will is that I might bring Him glory and ask for strength to complete it because in my weakness I will fail, but His strength can be revealed if the purpose is according to His will.
If you went to my bank and requested to withdraw funds in my name you would get thrown out, because my bank knows me and would expect to see my seal and sign for legitimacy. God is not a banker. He is The Creator. He doesn’t offer His seal and sign for casual or personal use. My comfort is not His primary concern. The salvation of my everlasting soul is the purpose that the Son was made manifest and this so that He may draw all men to Himself and mankind might offer to Him the glory befitting a Holy Creator.
Prayers for our wellbeing or another’s comfort or business success are selfish humanism unless our primary interest is that God be glorified, and if God should choose a different means by which He will receive that, it is His prerogative. When did the clay speak to the potter and instruct a better design? Does not the ruler and Creator of the world do justly in all He does. He after all established the means of grace through which we are enabled to draw our sinful breaths while we await His call of invitation to sonship to be redeemed for His glory… providing we seek after him.
Should we reject him for the perceived comforts of the world attained by the employment of humanistic pursuit, God will yet be glorified through righteous judgment, because we have rejected His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.
There is no other name given under heaven whereby man can be saved. All power is given unto Him and at His knee all creation will bow. It is a name above all names and not an incantation to arouse the genie in the bottle. God does not stand to attention when I pray, but if He lovingly comforted my heart with His peace when, in grief for my inherent infirmities, I bowed my head in shame and stood like a man upon my knees, begging for His will to be revealed in my life, I would consider the cries of my heart answered, fulfilled and abundantly so.
Seek His peace more than the abundance of this world, and know that God is God and He rewards those that diligently seek Him.
27.01.11
Hi Phil
Thank you for your heartfelt and detailed comments. You may be surprised that I agree with a lot that you write and I thank you for your insight. We are all on a wonderful journey of discovery and with Jesus as our Savior, whether we agree on every point or not, our future is secure. Be blessed! Peter
04.08.11
Wonderful is our God! Where a man is coming from might be where another is going. Though they have the same vision and to accomplish the same mission. I am blessed with your write-up.
05.08.11
Thank you Olu…so true – we all have our separate walk to walk – but let us all do it well.