In the morning, I lay my requests before you, and I wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3
Prayer is so much more than the puny, ordinary thing we make it out to be. And that’s because the One we’re praying to is not only so much bigger than we’ll ever be able to comprehend. But also, so much more willing to respond to us than we’ll ever be able to comprehend as well.
Think about this:
- Our galaxy has approximately 250 billion stars, and it is estimated that there are 100 billion other galaxies in the universe, each with hundreds of billions of stars. And He’s named each one.
- The universe is so vast in relation to the matter it contains that it can be compared in this way: A building 20 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 20 miles high that contains 1 grain of sand. And He’s holding it all in the expanse of His hands.
- The largest star to date, Canis Majoris, is so large that if Earth’s Sun were replaced by it, its radius would extend beyond the orbit of Saturn. And He merely spoke it into existence.
Prayer isn’t just an empty box to fill in on your morning checklist. Every day you get to speak to the One who created and is sustaining a universe that makes you look like less than a grain of sand in comparison.
But now think about this:
The same God who knows the names of every star knows your name.
The same God who is holding the universe in the expanse of His hands is holding you in His hands.
God is infinite, but He is also intimate. Prayer isn’t just lofting up requests to a distant God with little chance of Him responding. Every day, you get to have face time and collaborate with the Creator of the universe.
That’s why Psalm 5:3 says that you can wait in expectation when you pray. You should actually expect God to respond to your prayers. When I’m expecting something, my mind is preoccupied with it. My schedule is arranged accordingly. I’m actually anticipating it to happen. Prayer isn’t just having a little five-minute conversation in the morning and then going about your day. Prayer sets the agenda for your day.
God expects you to expect Him to be able to answer your requests. But He also expects you to expect Him to want to answer your requests.
You might be as small as a grain of sand, but you have a privilege no star or galaxy will ever have. Take advantage of it today. Lay your requests before God. And wait in expectation.
