When we send an email, we are totally confident that somehow our little email letter will navigate through an entire network of wires and safely arrive on the desk of the person we have emailed when we press that Send button.  That is trust in what cannot be seen.  It is just that after years of online communication, we have come to believe that even though we do not know how it is done, our email will arrive.

It is this trust in the unseen that describes genuine faith to me.  Genuine faith clicks send, and lets go of that email.  Distrust or lack of confidence quickly takes it out of the Sent box and puts it back into Draft.  Then, the person wonders why an answer never arrives.

In fact, there may be many letters written weeks ago, hanging around in the Draft box on our computer, either because we are not sure about the content OR we are uncertain of the address.  Either way no good comes from these letters in Draft, neither to the Sender or the Recipient.  In fact, nothing happens.  These emails never accomplish anything unless they are Sent and we trust that the internet will get them safely to their destination.

This is the same with our prayers.  Unless we trust in the unseen God who hears our prayers, we will never send our prayers to Him.  Instead, they hang around in our hearts (the Draft box), never actually prayed and not accomplishing anything.

Genuine faith hands over the prayer to God and lets Him work.

The only reason we would have not to send the prayer, is if we doubt the address: God the Father Almighty.  Or, we question the contents (whether He will actually answer our request).   Instead, they circulate in the Draft box in the form of worry, anxiety, concern, fear, depression etc.

No work can happen on God’s part until we commit it to Him in faith.

Psalm 37:5  “Commit your way to the Lord: trust in Him and He will do this…”

When we post that prayer, faith already expects a response from Him and awaits an answer to that prayer.  There is a sense of waiting (abiding) to receive from Him. (Just like we regularly check into our Inbox when we are waiting for an important response to an email.)

We can say that we love Him, believe in Him, commit to Him, serve Him, rest in Him, but we will not receive anything from Him until we begin in our hearts to exercise faith (that He has received our mail and that an answer or response is coming).

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)

Genuine faith hands over the prayer to God and lets Him work.

If we truly “cast our burdens” onto the Lord, we should no longer feel the pressure of that burden as we walk in life.  After I have committed something to the Lord, I always check my heart and mind as I say Amen.  I want to be like Hannah, who sincerely did business with the Lord and came away with a spirit that was no longer downcast because the Lord had heard her and the Lord would address the matter.

“As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.  Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.  Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (1 Samuel 1:12-18)

There should be no more pain, sadness and anxiety in my heart about the matter.  I should not take the prayer back and try to find another solution (put it back into Draft).  I should not question WHO I have asked for help (question the email address: Lord God, Almighty).  I should endeavor to be clear in my heart what I am asking God for and equally clear in my heart (faith established) that the Lord can address it. Then I need to pray (click Send).

Genuine faith hands over the prayer to God and lets Him work.

  • Is there something on your heart and mind that you need to pray about (write and email)?
  • Is there a matter that you have prayed about but have not committed to the Lord to address? Perhaps it is time to do the work in your heart and mind to finally commit to sending that prayer to Him instead of revisiting it in uncommitted prayer again and again.
  • Do you doubt that God hears your prayers and works on your behalf? (Perhaps it is time to check whether you believe the email address is correct. Perhaps the address you have is: God who doesn’t care for me.  Or God who is too busy for me.  Or God who doesn’t deal with small matters.  Or God who cannot do the Impossible.)

Father God, I know that You always hear me.  Thank You that You are always present with me when I pray.  Forgive me for all the times that I have prayed but have not committed those prayers to you in faith.  Instead, I have worried and obsessed about them instead of entrusting them to You.  Help me clarify what I am asking for and present this to You with a heart that is confident that You are attentive to my prayers.  Help me remain focused on WHO you are, not my circumstances and to commit even the smallest detail of my life to you.  I thank you that You have heard me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Pray About Everything

Reasons We Do Not Pray

God Answers Prayer

He Knows the Way I Take