Craig Clouston

With Confidence?

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.
Hebrews 4:16

Jennifer had heard it all before. “God answers prayer.” Well, it never happened for her! She was listening while her best friend Rachel asked God for a specific answer to her prayer. A hurricane had blown the roof off her house, and she was asking God to send someone who would not take advantage of her. She had insurance, but so many homes had been affected that the reputable contractors were busy. In the past, fly-by-night contractors had descended on the areas hardest hit. They had given people low bids to entice them to sign on the dotted line; and then they’d taken their cash and never returned.
As Rachel ended her prayer, she saw the scorn in Jen’s eyes. “Before you start doubting, watch and see how God answers my prayer.”
“I’m sorry. I just don’t have the confidence that He really cares!” Rachel said skeptically. “I’ve never seen Him answer any of my prayers!” she blurted, which sounded more like hope-filled defiance.
That evening, a contractor from Ohio knocked on Rachel’s door asking if she had found someone to facilitate repairs. He provided written testimonies from people he had done work for following prior storms and explained that this was his way of serving God. He would drive from Ohio after each storm, spend time working for half his normal rate, repairing as many homes as he could, and then return home.

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God answers every prayer whether we see the answer or not. The only difference between Rachel and Jennifer was experiential faith. Rachel had seen God’s answers; Jennifer had not. Perhaps because God had chosen to answer in a way she had not expected, possibly the answer wasn’t one she wanted.
Scripture says God’s grace is for each of us; it does not respect who we are or what we’ve done. But it does favor those who approach the throne with confidence. Witnessing God’s response develops our faith. That faith causes us to expect an answer. The more we develop that faith, the easier it is to see how God answers prayer.

Prayer

“Help me see how You respond to my prayers, God. Give me the confidence to trust You. I want to know that You are working in my life. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”