I have two questions concerning prayer:  1. Does God ever get tired of hearing our prayers? and 2. Why did she just pray for someone’s underwear?

As to the second query: When my wife and I were first married, we wanted to merge our quiet times.  As a morning person she had always read her Bible and prayed early in the day.  I, on the other hand, am a night owl and always had my quiet time just before bed. 

Being the sweet accommodating wife she is, she adjusted and came over to the after-dark side. 

And it made our prayer life kinda fun.  At times, she could be in the middle of the most earnest prayer, when the drowsies hit.  Her mind stopped, but the words kept coming.   She wandered off into silly senseless things like that time she prayed for someone’s underwear.

Now as to the second question: Does God ever get tired of hearing our prayers?   Shockingly – the answer is yes! 

I was reading through Exodus (during my nightly quiet time) and this is what I found in chapter 14.  Israel had left Egypt under the leadership of Moses but God had assured them that they were headed for the promised land.

Unfortunately, they were trapped on the shore of the Red Sea with Pharaoh at the rear ready to exterminate them.  Israel earned a few more frequent crier miles by complaining once again. 

Moses said, “Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that he will provide for you today; for the Egyptians that you see today you will never, ever see again.” – Exodus 14:13.

His fearless words masked his fainting heart.  He too was alarmed.  He felt the pressure.  So, he wisely went to speak to the Lord about it.

But before he could utter a word, the Lord said, “Why do you cry out to me? (14:15a)   What? Moses just wanted to speak to Him, which is called prayer.  He wanted His help. 

But God, in what seems to be an impatient manner said, “Why do you cry out to me?”  And He added, “Tell the Israelites to move on.”  (14:15b)

Evidently Moses needed to pray less and do more.  He knew what he needed to do – he just needed to do it.

“Moses, your job is to get your people moving,” said the Lord. “ So, do it and quit wasting time pretending you are actually seeking guidance.”   Well, we know that prayer is important, but evidently it is an insult when used as an excuse for a failure to act.

I was truly stunned when I read this and realized its implications.   God does direct us, certainly by His Word, and sometimes through other means.   But we don’t always like the direction He gives, or maybe we are too lazy or afraid to do it – so we dither in prayer instead.

The teen asks God for money for a car.  He was offered a job which would enable him to earn it, but he doesn’t like the work. 

Sarah is asking God to bring peace between her and her brother, but she skipped right over Matthew 5:23-24 where she is instructed to take the first step. 

For months I had been praying that God would give me and my wife more ministry opportunities. I had thought about recruiting a friend who sings, to join us in a music ministry but I didn’t act on it.   

I prayed on for several more months, until I read Exodus 14:15 where the Lord seemed to say to me, “Why are you praying about this goofball?  Just do what I suggested you do.”

So, the very next morning I sent a message to that friend, and she immediately replied with excitement.  She too had been praying for such an opportunity.  

So, me, my wife and Brenda Waskowiak are teaming up to sing for Jesus, all because God refused to hear my prayer again.

A Prayer: Lord, thanks for that nudge from Your Word.  Continue to nudge us!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Scripture references are from the NETBible ®