Ever since I was 15, I struggled with what I called “staring spells.” At first, the doctor thought it was epilepsy but the tests came back normal. They told me that it was psychological because I had been sexually abused. The doctors called them “pseudo seizures.” Pseudo means false, so they were telling me that I was having false seizures. I felt so alone and not validated by my suffering. I cried out to God on numerous occasions but the doctors’ response was still the same. I stopped going to neurologists because they ignored my suffering. I suffered 15 long years.
That was until I moved to Arizona. The “spells” were getting worse and I decided to go to a neurologist once again. As I was waiting for the doctor to call me, I prayed fervently like I had never done before. When the neurologist called my name, I began gathering my stuff. As I was doing so, a man went up to the neurologist and gave him a book. I overheard him say that he had been in the Christian bookstore and felt God nudging him to purchase a Bible for him. I was overwhelmed with gladness. God had placed me in the hands of a Christian neurologist! I felt peace and joy in my spirit.
When I went into the appointment, the doctor wanted to start from scratch and run tests. The tests showed I had scar tissue in my brain which was causing my seizures. I finally had a diagnosis. A surgeon removed the scar tissue. That was in 1999. I went from having several seizures a month to having very few mild ones. I praised God for answering my diligent prayer and placing me in the hands of a Christian neurologist.
MEMORY VERSE
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18, NIV).
WHAT’S IN A WORD?
Prayer…
Prayer is “an earnest request; entreaty; supplication” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary). It is “an address as a petition to God…in word or thought” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). “Prayer is to be offered in the Name of the Lord Jesus…that is, the prayer must accord with His character, and must be presented in the same spirit of dependence and submission that marked Him” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).
HIDDEN GEMS
God desires to answer our prayers. However, we must come to Him in faith, believing that He hears us. God knows our desires before we ask. However, God desires a close relationship with us through prayer. When we ask, we must spend time in silence so that we can hear the answers from God.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV).
Read Jeremiah 33:3. Who are we to call to?
What will God do in response?
What will God tell us?
When God answers our prayers, we stand amazed at the answers we receive. The answers may not be what we asked for. However, it may be much better. We can then praise God for His answers which are perfect for the situations we are facing.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:6-7, NIV).
Read Matthew 6:6-7. How are we to pray?
How is God described?
What does God see?
What will God do in response to our prayers done in secret?
Who should we not be like when we pray?
Why do the pagans believe they would be heard?
Religious leaders in Jesus’ day would babble on and on. They thought the more words the better. They also prayed out in public to receive recognition from the people. However, Jesus shows us a better way. When we spend time with God in secret, He will reward us openly. This does not mean we cannot pray in public such as when we share grace before a meal. It means that God desires an intimate relationship with us.
YOUR HEART’S DESIRE
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22, NIV). This verse does not mean that we will receive whatever we ask God for in prayer. We must pray that we receive the answer to the prayers we pray if it is God’s will. It is then that God will answer our heartfelt pleas.
Name a trial in your life which was difficult to endure.
How did you cry out to God?
What was your prayer?
How did God answer your prayer?
God desires to answer our pleas. However, He desires a close, intimate relationship with us first and foremost. When we spend time speaking our prayers and listening to Him, the intimacy will be strengthened. Diligent prayers are answered.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that You answer my heartfelt pleas if they are according to Your will. I pray that You guide and direct my steps each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
NUGGETS OF WISDOM
The purpose of asking is that you may get to know God better. Oswald Chambers
God denies a Christian nothing, but with a design to give him something better. Richard Cecil
Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure. D.L. Moody
Prayer is taking our troubles to God. Faith is leaving them there. Author unknown
Prayer is the application of the heart to God, and the internal exercise of love. Madame Guyon
Inner Beauty Bible Study 