God Hears Our Prayers

May 25, 2017

Opening Hymns:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh526.sht

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 47
47:1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.

47:2 For the LORD, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.

47:3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.

47:4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

47:5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.

47:7 For God is the king of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm.

47:8 God is king over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

47:9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted.

Message:
Prayers can be answered! Whether it is a prayer for rain, or a prayer to be released from captivity. God has answered prayers throughout the New and Old Testaments, and is still answering prayers today. As I read this psalm I can’t help but think of all the prayers that were answered for this psalmist… and I also can’t help but pause and think of my own answered prayers.

While there are countless blessings in my life, one stands out, because it just happened earlier today. My husband and I have a cat, and he wasn’t doing well. Less than a year ago I had to say goodbye to my cat Lynx because of health complications. So, it was extra hard when our cat Sebastian got a bladder obstruction. We took him to the vet to get him treated, but after the treatment his bladder got blocked again. The vet described an invasive and expensive surgery that could be done to help him. After a very long and hard conversation we had decided that it would be too much to spend on our cat.

Every now and then we volunteer at “Feed My Starving Children,” an organization whose mission it is to help feed children all over the world. Volunteering there has reminded us how blessed our own lives are. It seemed hard to justify spending so much money on our cat when there are mothers and fathers that may not have the means to support their own children. We wondered, could that money do more good elsewhere?

So, we took our cat home, hoping that he wouldn’t obstruct again. We had pain medicine for him to keep him comfortable. When he still couldn’t pee after two days, we made the call to schedule a time for them to put him to sleep (3:30pm today).

Over those 2 days I had prayed, googled home remedies, and tried to help create a urine stream with a technique that the vet had showed me… to no avail. Today was a day to say a tearful goodbye. However, at 1:45pm Sebastian was just sitting on the ground when a steady stream of urine began to flow. I have never been so happy to see a cat peeing on the floor! While he’s not yet at 100%, it was such a blessing to hear his purr again.

This challenging week has made me think a lot. It has shown me all the blessings I have in my life. I have an amazing husband, a loving family and friends, and a cute little fur friend. It has shown me the importance of treasuring each moment with everyone in my life, because changes happen so fast. It has also helped shift my focus from “what I want”, to “what can I give?”  

Prayers can be answered, and no prayer is too big or small. I know that not all prayers are answered in the way we wish, but I strongly believe that God listens to each and every one. Remember to pray when you face your own hardships. Pray for those who are facing challenges of their own. Pray for the hungry, the homeless, the sick, the dying, and for those who morn. Pray, and know your prayers are heard.

Time of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for listening to Your children when we pray. Thank you for caring about each and every struggle that we face. I pray that you will be with those who live in poverty. Be with the people who feel their prayers are going unanswered. Send Your comforting presence to those in most need of comfort. Guide us all, that we might become answered prayers for those in need. Thank you so much for every prayer that you have answered. Thank you for always listening. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
I Surrender All: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh354.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God