Amnesia

A mom is proud of her kid in college but pained by the empty nest. “Why doesn’t my daughter ever call? I’m dying to hear from her.” A boyfriend drifts off and the girl wonders, “He doesn’t return my calls and texts. What’s wrong?” Amazingly enough, those heart pains are felt by God himself. He invented the marvelous process of communication his Word calls prayer. He opens up his Word with its amazing and inspiring stories of his great works, and he opens up his heart to hear us, but so few messages are incoming. Why doesn’t he hear from his children more?

A great question—why indeed don’t we pray more? And with more enjoyment? It’s because of the prayer killers, the first of which is amnesia. We forget who we are, imagining that we built everything in our lives. Especially those who have lived as Christians for a long time forget how bleak and horrible life is without the forgiveness of sins and assurance of immortality in heaven. We don’t think enough about the phenomenal work of Jesus Christ to redeem us and how death and hell and Satan have been defeated.

The cure for amnesia is remembering: “Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (Psalm 105:2-4).

“Lord, your works are astounding. Let me tell you about my day.”