Devotional Journal: Reflection on John 11:41-42, Hebrews 11:6
Our Model
Every day we have this privilege to come before the throne of God and the vehicle that gets us there is prayer. Prayer is not just a means of asking from God. It is the very way we communicate with God. Jesus modeled this with His disciples. Showing them that everything He did was not an act of His own. Praying to our Heavenly Father always came first before Jesus acted (John 11:41-42). This constant commune is an example that we should model. Communicating with God, listening for His direction through the Holy Spirit and obeying what He prompts us to do.
Faith is the foundation
Prayer must always proceed from faith. By faith God is pleased and responds (Hebrews 11:6). He responds with His answer and every answer of His is good, acceptable and perfect. It may not be the answer you prayed for. It may not even look like what you are asking for, but it will always be the right answer.
Dependency on God is strength
We are dependent beings. We cannot provide everything for ourselves and even the very things that we can provide are limited in our own strength. I need God, you need God, we all need God. Let us lean into what He Has made available to us. He Has done everything to draw us close to Himself. May we recognize this grace in humility and draw near to Him by faith in prayer.
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”-John 11:41-42 ESV
“6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”-Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2025. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.