Does God Hear My Prayers?

Sometimes events take place in our lives where we as Christians are left wondering – is God really out there? Where was God when the twin towers of 9/11 fell? Was God there when the holocaust was happening and millions of Jews were being murdered? Why didn’t God stop the death of the 200,000 people in Haiti’s earthquake last year? Was God watching over that little girl and protecting her when she was taken and abused and killed? Sometimes we wonder, where is God when…? Maybe we even question, why is he silent? Why doesn’t he intervene in those moments?

These are hard questions – serious questions – the question of where is God when…? And perhaps we find ourselves asking this type of question when something calamitous is happening around us. We’re praying because there is something going on and it feels like our prayers are unanswered. And so we ask,

Does God really listen? Does God even care? Why is God silent? God, are you there?

This last week I’ve been working on my message of ‘Why doesn’t God answer when I pray?’ and the song Garth Brooks made famous, Unanswered Prayers has been running through my head. In the song he thanks God for not answering his high school prayers over his high school sweetheart. He sings these words:
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

A friend of mine has been seeking work for quite some time now. He’s had interviews and close calls in being hired, but hasn’t had that offer yet. During this time his faith has remained strong. He has told me a number of times that God has something in mind for him and that he just needs to remain patient (hard as that is). In the past he might have given up, or lost faith, or turned away from God, but not this time. He knows God has something in store for him. And when his prayers are answered he will be doubly blessed.

There are times in our lives when it seems like God isn’t listening, doesn’t care, or isn’t answering our prayers. Yet, the reality is he does care. He is listening. He may not answer our prayer in our timeline, or in quite the way we want him to; but, God is always with us. The hardships we face are part of life and while we sometimes pray that God will change those conditions around us – that doesn’t always happen. Yet God is with us.

Let me close with this. I read recently one person’s interpretation of prayer is this: “Maybe thinking of prayer as something that needs to be ‘answered’ is asking the wrong question. Maybe prayer is something like ‘entering into a relationship,’ or ‘yielding our lives to God.’ Maybe it’s less of a transaction and more of an investment or even a communion.”

I think perhaps that person is on to something. I think maybe he was right.

May God bless you this week; may your faith stay strong; and may you trust God to care for you in the way he knows is best. See you Sunday my friend.

Underage Drinking

Last Wednesday I was invited to a community wide meeting held at our high school to discuss the problem of underage drinking. The discussion centered on the issue of teenage drinking and drug usage; the prevalence of it in our community (communities across the nation really); and the startling statistics associated with this.

Speaking at the event was our Municipal Judge Kris Koeffler and Jo Anne Franzene – one of the teachers at MECAS. We had group discussions, a video, and large group discussion as well. There are two statistics that stuck out for me. The general perception from youth polled that the use of marijuana is not harmful nor does it lead to harsher, more addictive drugs. I remember from my own youthful days this same mindset - 'pot' is not addictive, it doesn't lead to other drugs, it really isn't a big deal! Yet, statistics would prove otherwise.

The other statistic that caught my attention was the early age our youth are starting to drink and experiment with drugs. It seems each year (or generation) this gets younger and younger.

From ages 13 to about 25 a pruning and strengthening process is happening in the teenage brains. During that time, the brain cells and connections that get used the least die off; those that get used the most get stronger. If during this period, teens experiment with drugs and alcohol the brains region that's responsible for making complex judgments is directly impacted. Alcohol use during adolescence may result in decreased attention, memory, planning and executive functioning. (see more information at www.drugfree.org/teenbrain)

The primary focus for this meeting was to bring awareness of the issue to the parents and community members. Following the meeting I talked with one of the coordinators of the event to ask how we, Milton UMC, might further participate or help. I'll be meeting with her at a later time to talk more in-depth about this, but having literature available, hosting a church-community meeting discussion of our own, being available as mentors to the middle schoolers and high schoolers in need.... are some of my suggestions.

I'll leave you with this thought – parents are the number one deterrent when youth are deciding whether to use alcohol and drugs.
1) Establish some "together time", don't be afraid to ask the hard questions;
2) Eat together as often as you can;
3) Be a better listener;
4) Give honest answers;
5) Be a day-to-day example for your child;
6) And lastly, be absolutely clear with your youth that you don't want them using alcohol or drugs. Ever. Anywhere.

Blessings,
Patrick