"The Fruit of Prayer" Part 15

- 15 -

Forgotten Prayers

Unless we write them all down, which most of us don't, many of the prayers we pray during our Christian lifetime will be forgotten, at least by we ourselves.

   None, however, will be forgotten by the One to whom we pray.  Think of it, prayers we prayed twenty years ago about things and people long since faded into our mind's oblivion may still be the focus of God's ongoing attention.  A prime example involves the nation of Israel.  For centuries, God's chosen earthly people prayed for their promised Messiah.

    "Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine" (Psalm 80:14).

    The Lord answered that request, prayed in one form or another by thousands throughout the Jewish ages.  The Lord Jesus Christ came in fulfillment of God's promises, and in answer to His people's prayers.  Sadly, they largely rejected Him, as He knew they would, but the Lord heard the echoes of Israel's cries ringing through the ages and answered prayers long forgotten, by people themselves long forgotten.

    Perhaps when we get to Heaven, our Heavenly Father will say to us, "Remember that prayer you prayed when you were still very young in the faith?  You know, the one about..."  Our response may well be, "Uh, Lord, I can't say that I do."  "Oh yes," He'll acknowledge with a smile, "of course you don't."  The Lord will then conclude, "Well, I did, my child.  I remembered.  And I just want you to know that it took many, many years and much ongoing and detailed action on My part.  But I answered it, and it brought much glory to My Son."  Surely God is working to answer such prayers, prayers we don't remember praying.  His faithfulness shines forth from such blessed truth, along with the amazing gift that prayer is to the trusting heart.

    We do well to give thanks for the ongoing goodness of the Father who answers forgotten prayers.  They are as fresh to His memory as they may be lost to ours, and in the glory of His answers we will one day sing with the Psalmist...

"Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds."

(Psalm 36:5)

"He abideth faithful."

(II Timothy 2:13)

"Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness."

(Psalm 143:1)