Online Bible Study Prayer

Prayer – Lesson 4

The Fulfillment

Story Cash came over yesterday. Her first visit to our house is a memory we will hold dear. And one of many more to come through the years. The emotions you feel holding a newborn baby are indescribable. We beheld her splendor. The one longed for and prayed over is here at last. Not just in our imagination, but in our living room. This is real. She is beauty personified in one tiny body. An eternal soul wrapped up in the awesome creativity of our God. The Bible says children are a reward from the Lord. It’s no wonder we oooh and ahhh over her. She is a miracle.

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I am reminded of the many women in the Bible who begged God for children. We read that Hannah wept much as she prayed to the Lord in anguish and grief, until the Lord remembered her. When she gave birth to Samuel, she declared that there was no one like the Lord, no Rock like her God. His birth caused a welling up of thanksgiving and praise to the Creator. May it be the same for us when God answers our prayers, whatever they might be. A verse in 2 Corinthians 1:11 says it all.

Then many will give thanks on our behalf

for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

“To the prayers of many.” Not only our prayers. But those of numerous others. The Body of Christ interceding. And now giving thanks for the answer. Our words of praise will never be recorded on pages of inspired scripture. But we can declare them on social media, on this blog, and among our friends and family. Our God rules and reigns! He is Sovereign over our desires! He answers prayer and deserves glory and praise. A baby’s birth may not seem miraculous until you’ve experienced it for yourself. Our culture can claim what they will, but we declare she’s a miracle!  For a divinely created baby girl came to live in our family this month. We can’t stop thanking God for her. It is His hand that has done this, and we are telling everyone about it.

 Scripture readings:

Philippians 4:6  Pray about everything;

tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for his answers.

Psalm 145:16  You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

 Psalm 109:24  Let them know that it is Your hand, that You, O Lord, have done this.

Isaiah 41:20  So that all people may see and know, consider and understand,

that the hand of the Lord has done this.

Psalm 105:1-2 Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts.

1. What answers to prayer have you seen in your life?

2. How concerned is God about your personal desires?

3. What stands out to you about the hand of the Lord in these verses?

4. What will our “telling” do for other people?

It’s important to tell our children and grandchildren about answered prayer. You can be sure our Story will hear hers from our own mouths some day. Voicing our thanks to God, as well as telling others what He has done, helps us face new situations with renewed hope. Our faith increases as we recognize God ruled over our circumstances in the past and will continue to do so in the future. May we help others see, know, consider and understand what the Lord’s hand has done for us. Rather than taking God’s blessings for granted, let’s recognize it was His hand…and none other.

 

 

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