Shut Up and Pray

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him."

1 John 5:14-15 NIV

"...I had read about the "shut up and pray" principle, and I believed it was the strategy God wanted me to employ in both of these situations. I was relatively certain that I was praying according to God's will, and I claimed God's promise in the verses above. But to be honest, I wasn't completely sure until I witnessed the Lord's supernatural intervention. David prayed, "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3) If we pressure people or say the wrong things when we want them to change their behavior or course of action, we can make them more stubborn and resistant. In these cases, we're not helping God, we're hindering Him. Often, the Lord won't get involved in matters like these until we back off and hand them completely over to Him. If we stop trying to accomplish what only God can, and if we invite Him into the situation through fervent prayer, He will do what we can't. He knows how to reach these people even when we don't, and He can put pressure on them in ways that will turn their hearts toward--not against--Him and us. If we're ever tempted to harbor bitterness or resentment against the people involved, we must repent and ask for God's forgiveness and help, otherwise our prayers won't be very effective. If you feel like you've tried everything to get someone to change their behavior or course of action and you've gotten nowhere, let me encourage you to entrust the matter to the Lord, "enter His rest," and "cease from your own labors." (Hebrews 4:3,10) Persevere in prayer, then be prepared to witness the miracle-working power of God!

Lord, show me when to confront someone about their behavior, and when to just be silent and pray for them. Help me to do my part, and to let You do Yours. When I'm tempted to hold anything against anyone, help me to forgive them quickly and thoroughly. Thank You that because of my right-standing with You in Christ Jesus, my prayers shall have "great power and wonderful results"! (James 5:16 TLB)


Excerpt from "Shut Up and Pray," a devotional by J.M. Farro