Blog Post
Posted by Dion Todd August 22nd, 2024 2,251 Views 29 Comments
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Matthew 6:6-7 WEB.
My friend had no idea that the answer to his prayer was waiting for him just inside the church door. I went to seminary with a brother who was praying for a wife. He told me one night that he had poured out his heart to God about his loneliness. He prayed:
"Lord, I'm lonely. I just want someone to hug me, kiss me, and tell me they love me."
When he went to church that Sunday morning, the burly, hairy pastor met him at the front door, hugged him, kissed him on the cheek, and told him that he loved him. My friend said that as this was happening, he thought, "I need to be more specific in my prayers."
The Lord had given him exactly what he had prayed for, but it wasn't delivered in the package he had envisioned. He learned to adjust his prayers to include a wife, and a lovely young woman soon joined that church. They hit it right off, and today they are married. God answered both of His prayers.
When you pray, tell the Lord exactly what you mean and be specific. It is a personal relationship that we have with Him. Don't assume that because He already knows it will happen. God knows everything, but everything doesn't happen. You have a part in this, and you actually need to pray the words. That's why it is called praying. James said we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2).
I have often prayed something specific and saw God go even beyond the details in my prayer. Your prayers don't scare Him, for He is not just creative, but the Creator. Yes, He knows our needs before we even ask Him, but I still saw the brother in this story being kissed by the pastor. Be specific in your prayers.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for hearing my prayers, and I will try to be more specific. Please build my faith and teach me what I need to know today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: Today is Thankful Thursday at the Ministry Events group! This event gives us an opportunity encourage each other by posting thoughts, moments, and prayers of gratitude for Him, His creation and all that He does in our lives. All our welcome! To join, just click on the group name and then the join link on the page that will follow. As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.
Site update #586: I completed a large update to the Audio Library on the left sidebar. There is now a live service archive of all past services, full-length in case you miss a service and want to catch up, as well as all of our original music. You can download the .mp3 files directly to your device now to listen when you don't have internet. I also added a pop-out player so you can listen without remaining on the page. Give it a try and let me know if you have any problems. 😀
Post from Wesley Paulus
11 months ago
Amen!
Post from Sherry Mccosh
11 months ago
I enjoyed this Devotion today. It made me laugh and it also reminded me to be more specific when I am praying. Thank you for all of the Devotions that you do for all of us. They are greatly appreciated!!
Amen Good Morning Everyone 😀
Good morning, y'all, happy Thursday 🌻!
Lord I want to thank you for listening to my prayers. I will be more specific then I had been in the past. I love our relationship and enjoy talking to you and listening to you. In Jesus name I pray Amen ❤️
Post from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
11 months ago
Amen and Amen!!! Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the the presence of Your Holy Spirit, thanking you so much for putting a song in my heart, for filling me with joy and making
me so happy, thank you so much for hearing our prayers!!! May we always present our prayers and petitions with thanksgiving and praise, in the name of Jesus, Amen and Amen!!! 🙏❤️🎶
Post from Latasha Murphy
11 months ago
😆What a surprise he got. Awesome devotional. Yes we must make sure that were specific. The Lord certainly has a sense of humor.
Amen. 😜 I really did laugh out loud! Interesting title that drew me in and then to hear the rest of the story. God never EVER fails us!! I trust God's faithfulness and His timing. He's into the specifics too.
Amen!
Dion, this is such a great example of being specific when praying. It made me laugh! You have the best sense of humor, and apparently God does too!
Post from Marisa Jackson
11 months ago
Amen 🙏🙏!!
Amen. This is the day that the Lord has made… I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Post from Celeste Strenn
11 months ago
Amen❣️
Amen!
I will be more detailed in my prayers, more specific. Lord, I have faith that You know what's best for me and I will do what You ask me to do.
Comment from Susan Quinn
11 months ago
P.S. Our Father has a great sense of humor. The story of the Hairy Pastors is too funny.
Post from Scott Riegelmann
11 months ago
Amen
Post from Bill Digiglio
11 months ago
I prayed for a better vehicle for work, then the car i had broke down. It made me actually look for a newer reliable car which i received.
Amen
Amen🙏
Father, Thank you for hearing my prayers! It is a faith builder. I want to continue to be teachable and have a close companionship with you! Knowing you are near keeps my fear at bay. In the name of our Lord Jesus, Amen!
Heavenly Father, I thank You for hearing my prayers, and I will try to be more specific. Please build my faith and teach me what I need to know today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻
Post from Wanda Pennington
11 months ago
Thank You Lord for hearing my prayers. Teach me what I need to know and guide my thoughts toward You for everything. Give me knowledge that You know I can handle in the Name of Jesus I ask and pray, Amen
We have a special loving heavenly father
Post from Elena Vasquez
11 months ago
Amen
Amen
Post from Raju Williams
11 months ago
Amen.🙏🙏
Post from Gloria Nebarez
11 months ago
Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers!
Post from Kay Collinsworth
11 months ago
Amen
Amen!
Post from Schalk de Beer
11 months ago
Yes, amen Lord.
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
7 hours ago
Thank you so much for your Labor of Love, your faithfulness, and endless service, Pastor Dion!! What a blessing to have the Audio Library available to us!!! May the Lord bless you and Sylvia above and beyond, grant you good health and meet all of your needs!! We are, the entire RHM family, so very grateful for you, thanking the Lord for leading us to RHM!! 🙏🤗❣️
Comment from Marilyn Salter
1 day ago
Thank you
Comment from Cathy Webb
2 days ago
What a blessing, Pastor Dion! The audio library page is easy to navigate and I truly appreciate the pop-out player, as I have many tabs open during my computer sessions and this allows me to keep the music flowing. Well done! 😊🎶
Comment from Gloria Nebarez
2 days ago
Thank you
Comment from Tyler Velau
5 days ago
Thank you for your continuing work on the site and your efforts to bring the truth of the Gospels to people around the world via the internet. Your hard work and dilligence is appreciated.
Comment from Liesel aka lisa Wardle
5 days ago
Thank you so much, Pastor Dion, for all that you do, it sounds to me like non-stop "24-7"! God bless you and Sylvia abundantly, above and beyond! 🙏🤗
Comment from Nell Neathery
5 days ago
sounds great. I know that will be useful for me...need to write that down. Hope the Todd family have a blessed Saturday and Sunday. I do believe God gave us those 2 special days for His sake and our sake! Work hard or volunteer (myself) hard through the week. We get our rewards here on Earth and rewards in Heaven.
Comment from Lynn Brown
6 days ago
That sounds amazing Pastor Dion, thank you!!!