Just Keep Praying
At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God.1
A beloved movie in my home is the Disney Classic “Finding Nemo”; a fish story of a father’s journey to find his son and all the perils he encounters along the way. On his adventure, the worrisome clownfish meets a friendly blue fish who suffers from short-term memory loss which allows her to live without worry. As their journey becomes hopeless, the care-free little tang approaches the depressed father and says encouragingly, “When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!” But when swimming is all you’ve been doing for the last weeks, months, or even years, what you would really like is a change; a way out; an answer!
In Babylon, Daniel was feeling a little like a fretful clownfish. He had been praying, and praying, and praying some more over the Israelites who were in exile, and also for the king and his visions. People depended on Daniel and his communication with the Lord; he was their voice of hope. I’m sure that made him a little stressed out! In Daniel chapter 9, he covered himself with sackcloth and ashes and began to pray, then plead, then finally beg, “Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act!” (v. 19) Daniel was extremely tired, and disheartened when the angel Gabriel appeared to him telling him that his prayer had been answered from the moment he had first begun his prayer!
Many times we are so tired of swimming through life feeling as though our prayers aren’t being heard, when the reality is that God is listening. He sees our desperation, but He’s waiting for us to ‘purpose in our hearts to be understanding and to humble ourselves before our God’ (Dan. 10:12) to send us an answer. God has given us our own little blue fish in the form of the Holy Spirit to remind us and encourage us every step of the way — Just keep praying! Just keep praying!
Ah, Lord—the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands… Lord, righteousness belongs to you… (Dan. 9:4,7) Thank you for being forgiving. Teach me to be humble so that I can understand the blessings you have in store for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1. Daniel 9:23a (CSB).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.