THE WORD ANSWER

Karl Barth (1886-1968) once wrote, “Let us approach the subject of prayer from the given fact that God answers. God is not deaf, but listens; more than that, he acts. God does not act in the same way whether we pray or not. Prayer exerts an influence upon God’s action, even upon his existence. This is what the word “answer” means.”

I think this is a profound statement: Prayer exerts an influence upon God’s actions, even upon his existence.
When we least feel like we are praying and making contact with the Lord is when we need to press on in and allow our doubt and discouragement to be melted by his presence. Even this can be difficult… because we often feel and sense nothing when we try to pray. It is like we are talking to ourselves, to the wall, the ceiling, the wheat field, the ocean… whatever. But the word answer means reply.

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus