Rediscovering Prayer

by Addison Bevere

Separator Words with God by Addison Bevere
God Hears Our Silent Prayers

Today is the United States’ National Day of Prayer, a day when our government is required by its own law to remind us to pray.

But many of us, if we’re honest, have lost faith in our prayers. We’ve prayed, and things didn’t seem to change. We’ve checked the boxes, but it feels like God’s checked out . . .

In Luke 1:13, there’s a moment between an angel and Zechariah, the father of the Baptizer. The angel says, “Do not be afraid . . . your prayer has been heard.”

You probably know the story but there’s something subtle in the verb tense and context that suggests Zechariah was praying for the redemption of his nation but had given up on praying for a child.

This story, among so many others, tells us that God hears us when we pray for our land. As we pray big prayers for our nation, though, we would do well to remember that God has a way of answering them through what He does in our own lives, our own families.

Luke 1:13 also reminds us that God even hears the prayers we’ve stopped praying. He hears them because prayer is an outflow of relationship . . . not a religious duty. When a prayer leaves our lips, it journeys to the Father’s heart where it stays and grows until its time has come.

While holding onto both mystery and certainty, I can promise that your words, groans, tears, and cries somehow participate in God’s plans for our world. So please. For the sake of both your family and this nation . . . pray.

Standing with you,

Addison

Separator Words with God by Addison Bevere

P.S. I heard a story yesterday about a lady who went into Barnes & Noble, looking for a book on prayer. She said out loud, “I need a book on prayer!” Someone who had just finished Words with God: Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection happened to be in the area, and he grabbed the last book off the shelf, introduced himself, and handed it to her.

If you need a copy of your own, just click here.

The Invitation

At the beginning of most weeks, I share a short prayer guide, offering words and practices that will help you see, hear, and experience more of God in your daily life. I’d love for you to join us.

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The Entries

What Miracle Are You Missing?

In this Christmas season, let’s be those who live with active patience, lifting our eyes and steadying our hearts so we can be faithful with our hands. Through grace we can see every mundane responsibility, such as the upkeep of a stable, as meaningful to the purposes of God.

Continue Reading →

Addison Bevere is the COO of Messenger International, a ministry founded by John and Lisa Bevere in 1990 that exists to develop uncompromising followers of Christ who transform our world. Messenger is dedicated to providing people with access to life-transforming messages regardless of their location, language, or financial position.

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Addison Bevere

Husband, father, author, poet, speaker & follower of Christ

addison-thumbnail-2021
Addison Bevere

Husband, father, author, poet, speaker & follower of Christ

2024 © Addison Bevere. All Rights Reserved.