Have You Sent Your List Yet?

Each year around December, thousands, hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions of children create a list of the things that they want to receive for presents on Christmas morning. They sit down, maybe with the help of a parent, and begin to craft a page full of the things that they want, and as soon as they are all done they stick that list into an envelope, marking the receiving address the “North Pole,” to a man known as “Santa Claus.” And then they wait. They wait and wait and hope that on Christmas morning that this “Santa Claus ” will bring them their presents.

The truth is that those letters are not read by a man in a red and white coat sitting up in the top of the globe. The presents that they receive on Christmas morning are not delivered to their house by a reindeer-driven sleigh, but most often instead by a parent or relative. This is simply a holiday myth that has been passed down for generations, despite the obvious truth that the figure known as Santa is simply a lie. How does some of the well known Christmas song go? “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.” Yet the truth is that this fake character does not know all or see all, because he doesn’t exist. But God does.

Instead of teaching your children at their young, precious age to go ask things from a fictional story character, why don’t you do the right thing and teach them how to ask God, Who will actually hear the prayers of His faithful followers. The Lord is the greatest gift giver of all, and He is waiting to hear your petitions to Him.

1 John 5:10-15 “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

Did you read this promise? We can have the knowledge and confidence that our prayers and petitions will be heard when we direct them to the Lord. Many years ago we happened to be very, very short on finances, on a particular week when we needed to pay for something, and we didn’t know where or how we would get the money to pay for it. But we put our faith in the Lord, and put our faith in the teachings of the word of God, and we prayed. We asked the Lord for His help, and asked that if it was His will that He could help us, and we left it up to Him. A few days later we went and checked our mailbox, and inside was a letter. We opened up the letter, and to our joy/amazement we found enough money to pay for what we needed that week. This wasn’t a pure “luck” moment. This wasn’t just a coincidence, even though that is what those without faith in God will say. This was an answered prayer from God. We could have received an envelope with a check in any of the other 51 weeks out of the year, but it was during the one week that we needed it most that it arrived, and I know that it was because of our faith in God’s amazing grace. He heard our prayers, and He answered them.

“…open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalms 81:10

Just as the Lord heard the prayers of the people in the land of Egypt and delivered them by the hand of Moses, God wants to hear your prayers as well. Remember, you have not because you ask not. Do you need some help in your life? Then put your faith and trust in the Lord Who will hear your prayers.

Luke 11:9-10 “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

All you need to do is ask, and believe in your heart that He can do all things. Show the Lord your faith, because faith can move mountains, and with God all things are possible.