The real hindrance to God hearing our prayers is our unwillingness to hear Him; that's when He can't hear us. When we pray, and really only want to hear what pleases us, like the pharisee who prayed "with himself," God couldn't hear him because he didn't want what He had to say (Luke 18:11). But the other man felt his need and wanted God's solution, and God heard his heart-felt appeal for help.

Years ago we had a beautiful mother cat who had kittens--a full assortment. But she was hit by a car a short time later. We tried the best we could to help those little kittens, but they were too tiny to survive without a mother. They cried and cried, and we prayed to the Lord for wisdom on what to do. Then, on Sabbath morning we heard a lady at church tell someone that her female farm cat had just weaned her kittens. We told her our situation, and she agreed to let us try something. We took our tiny kittens over to her barn. The mother cat heard their desperate cries and quickly ran away. But she couldn't stay away long; her mother instinct was just too strong. She returned and looked in the box, and then left again. After doing this several times, she at last came and picked them up one-by-one and took them to where she felt they would be safest. It was wonderful to see this mixed up mother cat who had just weaned her own kittens now adopt a brand new batch of newborns, and bring them field mice to eat. Of course, they were much too tiny for food yet, and the mice just piled up. That mother cat had a hard time figuring out the reason, but fortunately she gave them plenty of love and mother's milk, and they all grew happy and healthy. The Lord knows your needs and mine far better than that mother cat did. But like her, He cannot resist hearing the cries of those who feel their need for Him. Don't stop calling.

The biggest hurdle in finding our way back to God is the hurdle we ourselves place in our way. We set the requirement that God must meet to convince us that He cares and accepts us. But if we will just place our trust in His word and choose to follow Him (and like Job, say, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him"), we will see the waters part and a way open to deliverance. Keep trusting, keep hoping, and keep praying.

That was a very touching post as the true story you told us about the kittens penetrated deep into my heart.

God the Father wants the true story of His Son's sacrifice to penetrate deep into our hearts also.

__________________________
In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited July 03, 2001).]

I still fear God might not hear me because I haven't made a decision for Him. But the mature part of me, that remembers what it was like to walk with Him, knows full well that the only avenues to approach Him are prayer, bible study, and service. It is the devil who says, "Don't pray."

Then why, zyph, knowing what you know, are you not making a decision for Him?

You may not want to answer that here, however, that is up to you.

But, during my wilfull apostasy, before I was willing to give up my open sin (working on the sabbath) I was unwilling to deceive myself into believing that I was in a saved relationship. However, the moment I made my decision to stop working on the sabbath, a sweet peace filled my soul, and I knew without a doubt I was saved at that point. And ever since I have purposed in my heart to serve God without reservation.

If I found myself in sin, I quickly responded to the Lord's offer of repentance, resolving over and over again to keep my eyes on Jesus. And He has blessed me abundantly with love, peace and joy. I hope and pray this for you as well.

My recommendation is to get back in that prayer room and pray your heart out for yourself and for those people that Jesus has put on your heart to pray for. Your prayers will be answered because of the righteousness of Jesus. When Jesus finishes with you you will be righteous but not because of your efforts but because God gave you His mind and you allowed Jesus to do the work for you. In essence you surrender you robe of fig leaaves for the covering that Jesus has made FOR you.

Daryl, why do you ask?

Why do I ask?

The answer should be obvious; out of prayerful love and concern for you.