Knowing Godনমুনা

Pray with humble confidence!
by Rev. Joel Gaertner

Abraham’s prayer is a great example in the Bible that reminds us about how often we are timid in our prayer life.

Abraham had three visitors: God in human form and two angels. They told him the seemingly impossible news that he and his wife Sarah were going to have a son, despite both of them being well past the normal age of childbearing. Abraham learned that the visitors were headed toward Sodom, the wicked city where his nephew Lot lived.

This was the beginning of a bold prayer on the part of Abraham to save the city and his nephew. The prayer was a negotiation with God about how many righteous people needed to be found in the city for it to be saved.

Each part of the prayer contains the two elements found in the verse above: bold confidence and deep humility. We know God can accomplish anything, but at the same time, we are sinners and deserve nothing from God. It can therefore be difficult for us to strike the balance Abraham had in his prayer.

We may struggle to be humble because our sinful pride makes us feel like we deserve something from God. We may also find ourselves on the opposite end of the spectrum if we doubt God’s power or feel that we don’t deserve anything because deep down we know who we are and what we’ve done.

Humble confidence does not come overnight. Instead, it’s built and grown by being in God’s Word. It can also grow from an active and intentional prayer life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift and privilege of being able to talk to you in prayer. Forgive me for the times I have been timid or arrogant in my prayers. Give me the humble confidence of Abraham that comes from being close to you and your Word. Help me to be active in prayer as I come to you in the name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.