Fully Charged or Static-Filled?

Most everyone with a cell phone experiences a strong, clear phone signal. That’s one reason you own a mobile phone, right? It’s dependable, well, most of the time. What happens when the signal weakens, and airwaves fill with static or worse, service drops? You suddenly become disconnected from friends, family, online bank accounts, music, maps, everything and everybody. Do you panic?

Your phone becomes a permanent fixture in your hand as you hold the device up toward the sky and turn circles in search of a signal. Finally, three bars appear and a huff of relief slips from your lips while wiping perspiration from your brow. Whew! Back in business.

When my husband and I were on vacation in the mountains, the only place I found a phone signal in our cabin was standing on top of the toilet while stretching my arm to the ceiling. Have I given you a visual? Yes, it was hilarious, but it proves a point. I am dependent and addicted to my cell phone. Can you relate?

Ironically, this cell phone dilemma is a great comparison to your prayer life. Prayer is the lifeline for direct communication with an all-knowing, loving God, and that, in and of itself, should be addicting. It’s similar to the difference between a full charge on your cell phone and a dead battery. Taking time to pray allows you personal access to God which boosts your faith and strengthens your spirit just like electricity charges your phone’s battery and reconnects you with your world. Get the picture?

When static crackles or there’s a break in the connection, you yell into the phone or enunciate each word clearly in hopes the listener understands. Frustration strikes if you’re not convinced the caller can hear you.

The same crackling sound can inhibit your ability to hear God. However, just because you don’t hear him doesn’t mean he isn’t talking. His ears never close; yours need constant maintenance.

Below is a poem I wrote over twenty years ago. It was fun to write and may be a bit silly but the message behind it speaks volumes.

 

Is There Static on the Line?

“Is there static on the line, Lord? I don’t seem to be getting through,

Each time I’ve knelt down to pray . . . I-I just wanted to talk to you.

What? What’s that Lord? What did you just say?

The line is breaking up right now . . . I’ll try another day.

~

It’s me again, God. Can you hear me today?

I need your help in a matter; can you hear what I have to say?

What’s that? There it is again, static on the line. Lord, what am I to do?

I’m coming to you in prayer, but I don’t feel I’m getting through.

Did you say something, Lord? It sounded like ‘sin?’

Surely you’re not talking about me. Oh, there’s that static again.

~

Lord, I wish you knew how desperately I’m trying to talk to you,

With all this static on the line, why can’t we start brand new?

If only you could hear me, Lord, forgive where I’ve been wrong.

It was just a little sin, thought I wasn’t where I belonged.

~

What? Lord, what happened? The lines are now all clear.

I thought the problem was the storm and the lines beyond repair,

I . . . I don’t know what to say, Lord. If only I had known,

That all the static was my sin, it was sin all along.”

~

Don’t let the lines be broken and the static to appear,

By harboring sin in your life causing God to close his ear.

Just breathe a prayer of repentance and the static will be gone,

Because that’s the only kind of prayer that shoots straight to His Throne.

Rest assured, God hears every prayer. What you say or do never puts restraints on him or his abilities. As I said before, he is all-powerful and all-knowing, which means, he knows your thoughts as well. The so-called ‘static’ in your prayer comes when you pray but don’t allow time to listen for what he has to say.

If you’re not hearing God’s response, try pausing during or after your prayer time. And listen. From my experience, every conversation requires at least two people conversing. The Holy Spirit will do his work within you to expose the reason your hearing is blocked whether it’s sin, doubt, unbelief, or worldly clutter.

You pray, God listens. You listen, God speaks.

Expect to hear from him, and you will.

Loretta