I will pray

Last night I watched a group of pre-k and kindergartners sing for a Cancer Support Group's Christmas party. The kids sang their hearts out, and they were so cute doing it. They sang a few Christmas songs and then they ended with a song that goes like this:

I will pray...in Jesus' name

And believe...things will change

I will pray...in Jesus' name

And believe...things will change

And I know God will hear me when I pray

So I won't worry or be afraid

I will pray...in Jesus' name

And believe...things will change

I will pray...I will pray...I will pray

When I heard those words last night, they served as a great reminder. When I pray, do I believe things will change? Or do I pray with doubt, thinking 'maybe God's just not up for this one...'? Do I worry? Am I afraid?

I also thought about who they were singing to: a cancer support group, people who have very likely had moments that might cause one to be afraid. I think of how I sang that same song this summer with some children who had very little, and yet they were willing to sing it wholeheartedly and trust the Truth.

You see, it is true. We don't have to worry or be afraid. Over and over in Scripture the Lord proclaims (through visions, angels, His people, Himself...), "Do not be afraid." God knows us completely, and He knew we'd be tempted to fear, so He was kind enough to remind us again and again that there is no reason for us to fear.

And if Him telling us repeatedly not to be afraid isn't enough, we can also take comfort in knowing that there's truth again in the words telling us God hears us when we pray. Psalm 66: 19 says, "But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer." He does not always give us the answer we're asking for, but He hears us. We will very likely have moments in life that are unpleasant, possiby quite painful, but that does not mean God hasn't heard us. He is right there hurting with us knowing that in the end the things on this earth are only light and momentary troubles that achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Things will change, whether the outcome is different than what we expected or not. I am thankful tonight to be reminded of a Mighty King who is in charge of it all. And so I will pray and believe things will change, and I will choose not to worry or be afraid. The Lord is good, far beyond what we can comprehend. Let's trust in His goodness.