Forgotten Prayers
Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
Have you ever told someone you would pray for them and promptly forgot, later only to be reminded too late? I felt awful when I assured my husband I would pray him through his meeting only to forget until he was driving home from the meeting 2 hours later! I whispered the prayer then wondered if I was too late.
With all we have come at us throughout the day, is it any wonder we often forget to pray, even when we genuinely mean to?
Can our prayers count retroactively? If I pray after an event does it still matter?
Can our prayers count retroactively? If I pray after an event does it still matter? Click To Tweet
I was encouraged when our key verse came to mind, Isaiah 65:24, God promises here that He heard His people BEFORE they asked, while they were yet speaking. since God is outside of time and not bound by it, He most certainly hears prayers for what seems to be in the past for us. He is not bound by linear time, as we are.
Abraham prayed for Lot, and God was already sending angels to get Lot out of Sodom and Gamorrah. Daniel 9 tells of when Gabriel showed up in response to Daniel’s prayer, having been dispatched by God ALREADY.
God is not bound by what we are bound by. So we can pray ahead and we can pray behind and we can pray in the right now. He is hearing and moving on our behalf and for His glory.
One study of over 3000 patients concluded that remote intercessory prayer said for the group of patients was associated with a shorter hospital stay and shorter duration of fever in patients with a bloodstream infection, even when the prayer intervention is performed 4-10 years after the infection.
God’s purpose in prayer anyway isn’t for us to get our list of wants or needs checked off. But rather for us to grow in deep intimacy with Him, to better know him through intimate conversation and pouring our hearts out to Him. If retro prayers help us do that then they are right in His will and heard by the Father who loves you deeply.
So when you remember to pray, pray. As AW Tozer said, “the key to prayer is simply praying.”
Love this! I have wondered the same thing, but I love your insight. What a marvelous God we serve who knows what we need before we even ask.
Amen, He is so faithful!
amen, Ashley! He certainly does!
Wonderful encouragement to pray without ceasing even if what we are praying over has ceased! Isaiah 65:24 does give us the assurance that God hears us no matter when we pray before, during or after…He just wants us to talk to Him. Thank you for the great reminder that it’s always a good time to pray!
Amen, Becky! He wants us to talk to Him. Relationship is what He is after. So we can pray before, during and after! ❤
This is so reassuring! No matter how good my intent, there are times I lose track or forget a prayer request that I had promised to cover. But, God…
Thank you for this encouragement!
Blessings,
Tammy
best truth, “but God”, grateful He hears and moves on our behalf. We are never too late to pray to Him!
The Tozer quote is so good. And I love this: “God’s purpose in prayer anyway isn’t for us to get our list of wants or needs checked off. But rather for us to grow in deep intimacy with Him.” Amen. Beautiful post, Mariel.