Have you ever wished you could talk to someone that you believe is important, but in reality, that is not possible? Amazingly, we can talk anytime we want to God Himself. In God’s mercy, He answers prayers. He is never too busy or has to call us back because He is talking to someone else. We can talk to the creator of the universe for however long we like, and He enjoys when we talk to Him. He loves when we pray and pour out our heart or intercede on the behalf of someone else.
Our prayers are precious to God. Revelation 5: 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [1]
God Answers the Prayers of Samson
Samson had not lived an upright life, he had multiple character issues. His girlfriend had betrayed him, and he was captured by the Philistines. After his capture they gouged his eyes out and he was forced to grind grain in a prison. Later the Philistines took Samson to their temple to their false god Dagon to make fun of him.
Judges 16: 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, 30 he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people.[2]
Although Samson was far from perfect throughout his life when he prayed the Lord heard his prayer and, in His mercy, answered his prayer. God would bring judgment upon the Philistines as He answered Samson’s prayers. In our modern minds we may think that God’s judgment was harsh. It is only by faith that we can trust that whatever God does it is for the best.
God Answers our Prayers
One of the greatest gifts the Lord has given us is the ability to pray. God may not answer the prayer the way we want, but He always answers. James 5:16 tells us, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”[3]
One of the best ways to love others is to pray for them. Jesus is our ultimate example in this. The New Testament tells us about Jesus praying for others on many occasions, and even shows us that He continues to come to the Father on our behalf. Romans 8:34“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. [4]
All around us are people who need us to follow Jesus’s example and show them who He is. We can love them with our prayers and invite God’s help and intervention in their lives. We can ask God to help us pray for them, and He will! May our loving Lord strengthen us to generously give the gift of our prayers for others today.
To hear more on how in God’s mercy, He answers prayers, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-samson
[1-4Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.