How many times do people respond to a post by saying, “I’m sending you good vibes”,  or “I’m sending you positive thoughts” or perhaps “I’m sending you good energy”? Those are all very nice, but for me, I want your prayers. 

Let’s take a look at these:

Good vibrations remind me of a Beach Boy song, “I’m pickin’ up good vibrations
She’s giving me the excitations”, you know the song.   This is the idea of invisible good forces that are filling the air and being sent my way.  I don’t think so. 

Positive thoughts.  Thinking positive thoughts is a great idea for anyone.  In fact, apostle Paul who wrote the majority of the New Testament said,

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8  

Certainly, positive thinking will certainly win the battle against worry.  However, if you are trying to send me positive thoughts, I’m pretty sure there isn’t a way to do that. 

Good energy.  Who would complain about good energy?  We could all use more energy, especially the good kind.  My only question is, like the others, how can you send it to me?  If you are trying to send it, it’s not getting here; I’m not feeling it.

If you are a Christian, then you believe in the power of prayer.  You believe there is an omnipotent God who hears the petitions of His children, and like a good Father He will respond.  Jesus also taught us to ask and it will be given to you. 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”  Matthew 7:7-8

God desires us to ask, seek, and knock.  Your Father in heaven wants to give you good things.  Know that your prayers will not be in vain. 

And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”  Mark 10:51

Are your prayers vague and pointless?  Our prayers must be a distinct expression of a definite need, not a vague appeal to His mercy or an indefinite cry for blessing.  It’s not that Jesus is not willing to hear us, but rather Jesus desires a definite prayer for our own sakes because it teaches us to know our own needs.  Here are a couple of examples of vague prayers…

• You ask to be delivered from sin, but you do not name any sin from which you want to be delivered from.
• You ask for the outpouring of God’s spirit but have not named a person, people, or place you where you can see and expect an answer. 

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”  1 John 4:15-16

We can have confidence that God hears and answers our prayers.  He promises to grant our petitions, with the condition that it is according to His will. 

“and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.”  1 John 3:22

This statement does not imply that you can just pray hard enough, you can have whatever you want.  Your requests must be in line with God’s will and you must be in a right relationship with God as evidenced by your desire to do what pleases Him. 

My Story.  A long time ago, I desired to buy a grandfather clock for our home.  I even prayed about getting one.  God knew how silly this prayer request was because first of all it was not a need, just a want, but more importantly God knows the future.  In due time, we would be moving from one state to another, and it would have been completely unmanageable bringing it.

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions”.  James 4:3

If God is not answering your prayers, then we need to consider:

• What are my motives?
• Is this within God’s will?
• Am I walking in a right relationship with God?

For the one who knows his Father well and lives in constant communication with Him, it’s a simple thing to believe that He will do what His child wishes. 

Sadly, Christians have underutilized the power of prayer.  We have accepted so little of God’s promises, perhaps because it seems impossible to believe.  Persevere, persistence, and patience, are the qualities that are needed in prayer.  Then believe through faith that God hears your prayers and desires to fulfill them through the lens of His will and in His good timing. 

I regret that I did not keep a prayer journal earlier in my life, so that I could see the thousands of little and big prayers God has said “yes” to.  It is only when we get to heaven that we will learn why he said “no” or “wait” on the others. 

If someone you know someone who needs healing or has a need, don’t send them positive thoughts, sit down, and pray for them; intercede on their behalf.  There is power in prayer.