March 2 Pray

Esther 4:15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” 17 Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.
 
“LET’S pray.” There you are. You are engaged in a conversation with a friend. You are distressed or troubled over some issue. Perhaps you are struggling with children, work, relationships or church. You voice your concerns. Your friend listens. Then your friend says, “Let’s pray about this.” Do you think, “Why? What good will it do?” Do you wonder why it has to be now? Do you want to stop the prayer and put it off until you feel ready to pray?
    When is that? When are you ready to pray? For very much of my time, I am not ready to pray. I’d rather sit here and write this about prayer than to stop and pray. What makes prayer so difficult for so many of us?
    Perhaps it’s wondering, “Are you there, God? Do you really care about my problems? Are you even ready to hear my confessions, praise and thanksgiving? Do I really matter to you, Lord?”
    Is that the center of the problem? Do you wonder, “Do I matter to God?”
    In such doubting questions, we all must stop and know his answer. “Yes, you do, my child. (John 1:12) I have acted since before time began to form you. (Isaiah 49:5, Romans 8:30) I know every hair on your head. (Luke 12:7) I know your deepest thoughts and your greatest yearnings. I understand the depths of your fears. (Psalm 142) I understand the ways you doubt my grace and my love. I know how difficult it is to pick up your cross. (Mark 13:21)
    “This is what I desire you know: I hear your prayers. I listen and I determine how and when I will answer them. (Psalm 91) If you are not satisfied with the answer and its time, please know I see the entire picture of eternity and your role in my plans. I see how your life forms and connects with all of mankind for all time. Even more, I know how your life connects with me. (Psalm 43, Matthew 6:10) Turn to me in prayer. I will turn and answer you in your need and my will.”
    Esther gave us a real-person example of going to our Lord in prayer. Scripture doesn’t tell us how often she prayed. But even if she had never prayed before that day, she knew it was time to do so. She understood the only place to go to save the Jews was to the Lord, who had formed them.
    In your ordinary and great needs, in your joy and in your sorrows, go to the Lord in prayer. He is the one who has formed you. He will answer you in his purpose.
 
Prayer: Lord, teach us to pray. In Jesus’ name, amen.